The Arizona Diamondbacks made a couple of last minute signings this week, rounding out spring camp by bringing a few veterans in on minor league deals: Marc Rzepczynski, Michael Kohn, and Lucas Luetge.
The Arizona Diamondbacks added Marc Rzepczynski, Michael Kohn and Lucas Luetge to the club on minor league deals. Rzepczynski, easily the most established and recognizable (if not pronounceable) name of the bunch, is the only to receive an invite to major league camp. GM Mike Hazen continues to take flyers on veteran arms, building out the depth of the system for the spring.
Rzpcznski, 33, has the best shot at making the roster, as he’s pitched in the majors for each of the last ten seasons. Don’t expect Rzpcznski to take on the roster for long, however, as he hits the road about as often as any player in the majors. Of his ten seasons in the majors, he has played for multiple organizations in half of them. He has appeared for the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Indians, Padres, Athletics, Nationals, Mariners, and the Indians for a second time in the second half of 2018.
His overall numbers are pretty good, as he has averaged 65 appearances with a 3.89 ERA over 162 games, with 8.5 K/9 versus 4.2 BB/9. That sums to a 106 ERA+, a little above average – enough to consistently be traded for, but not good enough to demand a significant commitment. Ultimately, he may net the Diamondbacks a low level minor leaguer, which won’t set your hair ablaze, but nonetheless makes good baseball and business sense, given the dollar value.
Kohn, 32, is a 6’2″ right hander most recently with the Twins organization, though he has not appeared in the majors since 2015 with the Braves. He has done well, when called upon, with a 3.52 ERA (4.94 FIP) over 132 appearances in 5 seasons. He did not appear at all in the 2018 season.
Luetge will turn 32 in March, and he too has not appeared in the majors since 2015. The 6’4″ lefty had a pair of decent seasons in 2012 and 2013 for the Mariners, but he’s struggled to make much noise since. Like Kohn, Luetge did not appear with a MLB organization in 2018, last playing for the Reds and Orioles in 2017.