Arizona Diamondbacks: Who is Gabe Speier?

The Arizona Diamondbacks also received left-handed pitcher Gabe Speier in the Shelby Miller deal.

Lost in all of the hoopla surrounding the Shelby Miller trade is that the Arizona Diamondbacks received another player in the deal. It wasn’t reported on initially, mainly because folks were dissecting the impact Miller would have on the D-backs as well as the return the Atlanta Braves received. The other player now calling the Arizona organization home, at least for now, is 20-year old, left-handed pitcher Gabe Speier. When I wrote the words, “for now” it is because this is Speier’s third trade over the past 12 months.

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Speirer was originally taken in the 19th round of the 2013 Draft by the Boston Red Sox out of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California. After signing with the organization, Speirer was assigned to Rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League. Unfortunately, after pitching in three games, he was required to undergo Tommy John surgery. Sperier managed to appear in nine Gulf Coast League games, six of them starts, at the end of the 2014 season, posting a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings. He was then traded to the Detroit Tigers as part of the deal that sent Yoenis Cespedes to Motown and Rick Porcello to Boston. He appeared in 33 games for the Single A West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League and registered a 2.86 ERA. In 44 innings, Sperier allowed 40 hits and 12 walks while striking out 36 and finishing with a record of 4-2. Just last month, he was on the move again as he headed to Atlanta along with fellow lefty Ian Krol in exchange for outfielder Cameron Maybin.

Sperier’s permanent home, at least on the field, appears to be in the bullpen. In 45 career Minor League games, 37 came in relief. He is six feet tall and weighs about 175 pounds and with velocity in the upper 80’s to low 90’s range. He was never rated as an top organizational prospect, probably due to his TJ surgery just as he broke into professional ball. He may never have a sustained Major League career but it is always good to have left-handed pitching depth at the Minor League level.

Next: Arizona Diamondbacks: Forget Jonathan Papelbon

Schugel signs with Seattle

Right-handed pitcher A.J. Schugel was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. Schugel was released by the D-backs from their 40-man roster in order to make room for Zack Greinke. Schugel was taken in the 25th round of the 2010 Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He was sent to Arizona as the player-to-be-named-later along with Mark Trumbo in exchange for Tyler Skaggs. He made is Major League debut on April 12th, 2015 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year old Schugel appeared in five games and pitched a total of nine innings. He gave up 13 runs (five earned) on 17 hits. walking five and striking out five. We wish him the best of luck in the Emerald City.

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