Indians trade Brandon Moss to Cardinals for pitching prospect Rob Kaminsky

The Cleveland Indians have traded veteran first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss to the St. Louis Cardinals. In exchange, the Ohioans will receive left-handed pitching prospect Rob Kaminsky. Here's a quick report.

Rob Kaminsky, LHP: The Cardinals drafted Kaminsky in the first round in 2013 from high school in Montvale, New Jersey. He was impressive in his full-season debut in 2014, posting a 1.88 ERA in 101 innings for Peoria in the Low-A Midwest League, with a 79/31 K/BB ratio but only 71 hits and two homers allowed. He has remained extremely effective this year for Palm Beach in the High-A Florida State League, posting a 2.09 ERA in 95 innings with a 79/28 K/BB. He's given up zero home runs this year along with a 2.17 GO/AO ratio.

Kaminsky is a right-handed hitter and left-handed thrower, born September 2nd, 1994. As you would expect from his statistical profile, he generates a large number of ground balls thanks to the angle on his 89-93 MPH fastball. The heater can peak at 95 but even at the lower velocities it is quite effective. It plays up due to the contrast with his outstanding curveball, one of the best breaking pitches currently available in the minor leagues. He has a change-up too although it still needs some polish.

Although he's not a big guy at 5-11, 190, Kaminsky looks like he has the stamina to be a starter. His makeup and mound presence are well-regarded and thus far A-ball hitters have not presented much of a challenge. He looks like a great return for a veteran hitter entering the downphase of his career.