MLB trade deadline: Rays trade OF Joe McCarthy to Giants for LHP Jacob Lopez
The Rays continued trimming their 40-man roster by sending Joe McCarthy to San Francisco.
While acquiring a Red, the Giants also added Joe McCarthy at Wednesday’s trade deadline.
The Rays traded the Triple-A outfield prospect to San Francisco for left-handed pitcher Jacob Lopez.
McCarthy started on the injured list this season due to a back injury. Those problems have been persistent for him, dating back to his college years. They caused him to drop to the fifth round in the 2015 draft and cost him several months during 2018.
When he returned to Durham this season, he batted .201/.343/.396 in 40 games. That’s not great for a 40-man rostered prospect.
Lopez was a 26th-round pick from College of the Canyons last year. The 21 year old was pitching for Salem-Keizer, the Giants’s equivalent of Hudson Valley. In 41 2⁄3 innings, he has a 3.02 ERA with 39 strikeouts and seven walks.
According to Baseball America’s predraft report ($), he led junior college pitchers in strikeouts in 2018, thanks to his arm angle and deception.
Giants Prospects offered this report on him last season:
LHP Jacob Lopez (20.5Y, 2018 26th round pick) had a strong start in the AZL last night, 4IP 8K.
— GPT (@giantsprospects) August 22, 2018
Season: 20.1IP 16H 5BB 26K.
Lopez has advanced control of his t90 FB/CB combo, so he'll carve up lower level hitters as a SP. Almost a sidearmer, with some funkiness. LOOGY potential.
The trade opens up another needed spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster, as the Rays have two players coming off the 60-Day IL soon.