Indians claim P R.J Swindle off waivers & option him to AAA Columbus

[MoFlo]

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090812&content_id=6388190&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle

Indians grab Swindle from Rays
Acquired on waivers, lefty with third organization this year

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

08/12/09 2:12 PM ET

CLEVELAND -- Continuing their season-long search for pitching help in all corners of the baseball universe, the Indians made another waiver claim Wednesday.

Left-hander R.J. Swindle was claimed from the Rays and optioned to Triple-A Columbus, bringing the 40-man roster total to 34.

The 26-year-old Swindle wasn't with the Rays long. He was plucked off waivers by Tampa Bay from the Brewers on Aug. 7, only to be designated for assignment the following day. While in the Brewers' organization this season, Swindle split his time between Triple-A Nashville and the big-league club. He went 3-1 with two saves and a 1.03 ERA in 31 relief appearances for Nashville, walking 13 and striking out 41 in 43 2/3 innings. In six appearances with the Brewers, he gave up 12 runs on 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings for a 16.20 ERA.

Swindle is a native of Vancouver, B.C., and was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the 14th round of the 2004 Draft. He reached the big leagues in 2008 with the Phillies after spending time in the independent Northern and Atlantic leagues.

Swindle is a lefty reliever & has had 2 brief stints in the majors thus far & has gotten hammered to a 12.71 ERA in 9 appearances..

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/R.J.-Swindle.shtml

Career minor league #s look impressive as hell:

2.18 ERA; 397 1/3 IP; 337 H; 11 HR; 76 BB; 400 K

Looks like Rich Rundles will be off the 40 man this offseason, if not sooner..

As soon as I find a scouting report, I'll post it

 

[CBBI]

Josh Barfield was also put on waivers, cleared, and outrighted from the 40 man roster to Columbus' roster.

 

[tedginnjr]

All I could find on him:

Scouting Report

Assets
Throws reasonably hard for a left-hander and has the ability to rack up impressive strikeout totals.

Flaws
His pitches are a little too straight, which makes him susceptible to right-handed bats and the long ball.

Career potential
A left-handed long or middle reliever.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/R.J._Swindle/

 

[MoFlo]

All I could find on him:



http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/R.J._Swindle/

Yeah, I just saw that one myself..

What I don't get it this:

which makes him susceptible to right-handed bats and the long ball.

But, in damn near 400 career minor league innings, he's given up 11 HR!! 11!!

Now, I understand the big leagues are different, but damn that's just a ridiculous low amount of HR's given up, especially for somebody who's supposedly "susceptible to giving up the long ball"

 

[mixman]

Sounds like he'll be swindling more cash out of the tribe. AMIRITE!!

 

[CBBI]

Sounds like he'll be swindling more cash out of the tribe. AMIRITE!!

www.instantrimshot.com

 

[fudd]

At least we can run this thread into the ground by making play-on-word jokes like we do with Rex Hadnot.

 

[Chardon]

Swindle throws five pitches, including a fastball, slider, change-up, cutter, and a 55 mph curveball

source:
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.co...t_id=3051073&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

 

[fudd]

and a 55 mph curveball

Wha??? ala Barry Zito

 

[Chardon]

Wha???

AND A 55 MPH CURVEBALL

 

[fudd]

AND A 55 MPH CURVEBALL

 

[AMC]

Ha 55 mile per hour curve, I could throw faster, he sounds like a situational lefty

 

[Chardon]

Ha 55 mile per hour curve, I could throw faster, he sounds like a situational lefty

It better be a nasty ass like couple feet drop.

 

[Chris]

Two words:

World.

Series.

 

[fudd]

Two words:

World.

Series.

Was waiting for that comment from you haha