Trey

McNutt

McNutt split the 2019 season between the Athletics’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, combining for a 7-5 record and 5.12 ERA in 45 relief appearances. He struck out 80 batters in 65 innings. That high strikeout rate points to some upside potential. The 30-year-old exhibited some rust after missing all of the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He was drafted way back in 2009 and has yet to reach the major leagues.

McNutt was finally moved to the bullpen this season after his struggles at Double-A continued for a second straight year. He’s fallen a long way as a prospect but is still just 23.

McNutt, a 22-year-old right-hander, posted an underwhelming 4.55 ERA and 65/39 K/BB ratio in 95 innings this season at Double-A Tennessee. But he had a breakout year at Single-A in 2010 and may carry back-end-of-the-rotation potential. The two sides are expected to reach an official agreement before the start of the World Series on Wednesday night.

Once a top prospect of the Cubs, the 26-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2014 season and logged just eight innings in 2015 after undergoing shoulder surgery. He makes for a nice low-risk gamble for the Padres.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. McNutt, 24, moved to the bullpen this season and posted a 4.60 ERA and 23/14 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings in Double-A. He missed part of the year due to a shoulder issue.

Baseball America’s 48th ranked overall prospect heading into the season, McNutt is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 22/9 K/BB ratio through nine starts and 36 2/3 innings this season. He could be in the mix for Chicago’s 2012 rotation.