Prelander Berroa, Zach DeLoach Traded To White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and the 69th overall pick in the 2024 draft from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Gregory Santos, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Berroa is a young right-handed prospect who bypassed Triple-A to make his MLB debut last season. He's an interesting case study given his very high walk and strikeout rates, as well as very low home run and ground-ball rates. He might not be an immediate contributor in Chicago but figures to crack the big-league squad (presumably in the bullpen) within a year or two. DeLoach is a former second-round pick who spent most of his time in right field at the Triple-A level last year. He slashed .286/.387/.481 with 23 home runs and could open the year as the White Sox' fourth outfielder amidst new reports that Oscar Colas is likely headed for Triple-A.
Prelander Berroa Optioned Back to Double-A Arkansas
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Prelander Berroa was optioned back to Double-A Arkansas on Saturday. The 23-year-old reliever made his MLB debut on Friday against the Blue Jays, walking three and punching out one over 2/3 of a scoreless inning. While his debut didn't go as well as the Mariners would hope, he was put in a high-leverage situation with inherited runners aboard in a tight ball game so there were likely some jitters. He'll head back down to Double-A to work on his control while Isaiah Campbell, who was recalled from Double-A, will take his place on the active roster.
The Seattle Mariners are recalling pitching prospect Prelander Berroa and right-hander Devin Sweet from Double-A Arkansas on Wednesday and optioning pitchers Ty Adcock and Isaiah Campbell to the minors in corresponding moves. Berroa is the team's No. 13 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he'll come to the big leagues after posting a 2.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 31 walks and 69 strikeouts in 46 innings over 24 outings (five starts) at Arkansas. The 23-year-old needs to show better control and command of his pitches if he wants to stick around in Seattle. He's unlikely to have much fantasy appeal in what will likely be a relief role. Sweet, 26, has been solid at Arkansas with a 1.54 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, eight walks and 47 K's in 35 relief innings.
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Prelander Berroa joined the team's taxi squad on Sunday. The team is not expected to make a roster move today, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, but it's notable that he's on the taxi squad. The 23-year-old had an excellent spring out of the M's pen and could provide a nice boost to Seattle's overworked bullpen. Expect a roster move within the next day or so.
Prelander Berroa, Jonatan Clase Protected From Rule 5 Draft
The Seattle Mariners added right-handers Prelander Berroa and Isaiah Campbell and outfielders Jonatan Clase and Cade Marlowe to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, protecting them from this week's Rule 5 draft. Per MLB Pipeline, Berroa (No. 15), Campbell (24), Clase (12) and Marlowe (21) are all among the team's top-25 prospects. Berroa, 22, had a 2.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 150 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings over 26 starts in three minor-league stops this season, but he also walked 63 batters. He'll need to get his control figured out before he advances to Triple-A. Clase is still only 20 years and hasn't played above Single-A, so he still has plenty of developing to do. The switch-hitter batted .267 with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 91 runs scored and 55 stolen bases in 107 games for Single-A Modesto in 2022.
