Prospect Trade Review: Jeff Keppinger Transaction

by John Sickels on Jul 21, 2011 11:00 AM EDT

Prospects in the Jeff Keppinger Trade

The Houston Astros traded second baseman Jeff Keppinger to the San Francisco Giants for pitching prospects Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel on Tuesday, July 19^th. Here is a look at the two arms acquired by Houston.

Henry Sosa, RHP: Sosa is 25 year old (turns 26 on July 28^th), signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2004. He got lit up early in the year for Triple-A Fresno, allowing 39 hits, 17 walks, and 30 runs in just 23 innings (10.41 ERA), but has been more effective after being sent back to Double-A Richmond (2.68 ERA, 36/8 K/BB in 40 innings, 41 hits). He throws quite hard (94-97 MPH), but his slider and changeup are mediocre and his control is spotty. The Giants gave up on him, but the Astros hope a change of scenery can unlock his talent.

Jason Stoffel, RHP: Stoffel was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round in 2009 from the University of Arizona. 22 years old, he has a 3.98 ERA with 13 saves for Double-A Richmond this year, with a 31/16 K/BB in 32 innings, 34 hits allowed, 1.30 GO/AO and one homer allowed. Stoffel has a 90 MPH sinker and a decent slider, and the combination can be effective when his command is working. His command isn't sharp enough for him to close in the majors, but he could be a useful relief asset.

SUMMARY: The Astros decided that prospect Jose Altuve was ready for the majors, and exchanging the veteran Keppinger for a pair of relief arms is a reasonable decision. Neither Sosa nor Stoffel fit into San Francisco's long-term plans, so this could end up helping both clubs.

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Im not overwhelmed by the return by any means but its solid for Keppinger. I hope

That Sosa can get some help if he’s paired with PC Burt Hooten at AAA who has shown before that he can help turn around the careers of young pitchers.

by StrosSouth on Jul 21, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

I think they should of looked for AAA RPs

I mean to get 2 AA pitchers and one who flopped at AAA is not a great return for someone who has hit well the last few years. Th egiants want to return to the WS and needed a 2B pretty bad

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 25, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd say middling prospects for an average MLB player

is a solid return

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 21, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Addition by subtraction. Keppinger was not going to be around by the time the Astros get out of their current rebuilding mode and this move gives the Astros the opening to take a prolonged look at Altuve.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.

by Fla-Giant on Jul 21, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Sosa has also had issues with injuries. He had a serious knee injury in 2008 and he just never seemed to improve after coming back from that. He’s also been on the DL at least twice in 2009 and 2010 with arm problems.

Stoffel is the real hope for the Astros in this deal. He has the ability to be a decent setup man in the majors. He became expendable this year, though, with the emergence of the younger, better Heath Hembree – who took over his closer role in AA about 4 weeks ago. The Giants also have at least 3 other relievers in A ball that have better stuff than Stoffel.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.

by Fla-Giant on Jul 21, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

If he can turn into a long inning relief pitcher or set up man it's a good deal then.

by StrosSouth on Jul 21, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. I would say that this was a pretty even trade. Neither team is likely to end up way ahead to the other when we look back on it several years down the road. The Astros got better upside, but the Giants got better present-day value in the deal.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.

by Fla-Giant on Jul 22, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions