New York Mets Add Right-Hander to Complete Neil Walker Deal
By Sean Dyer
The New York Mets have acquired right-handed pitcher Eric Hanhold to complete their Aug. 12 trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Neil Walker.
As part of their trade deadline sell-off of pricey veterans, the New York Mets traded second baseman Neil Walker to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later.
Later is now, as the Brewers have sent right-handed pitcher Eric Hanhold to the Amazins to complete their Aug. 12 deal.
Hanhold was a sixth round pick for Milwaukee back in 2015. He started his minor league career as a starter before moving to the bullpen.
Hanhold struggled in the rotation. In 2015, he was 0-5 with a 7.43 ERA in 11 appearances (eight starts) between Rookie Ball and Single-A. His 2016 campaign was not much better as the righty went 2-12 with a 4.81 ERA in 19 starts for the High-A Brevard County Manatees.
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The Brewers’ High-A affiliate changed to the Carolina Mudcats in 2017 and with the move, Hanhold switched to the bullpen. Hanhold either likes it better in the bullpen or prefers to have “Mudcats” across his chest when on the mound because he’s pitched much better this year.
In 30 appearances (only three starts), Hanhold is 8-3 with a 3.94 ERA. Hanhold has been a multi-inning reliever, throwing 64 innings in his 30 appearances. His move to the bullpen has resulted in his first pro season with an ERA under four and with opponents hitting under .300 against him (.286 batting average against).
Hanhold had 64 strikeouts in 101 innings as a starter in 2016 but already has 60 punchouts in just 64 innings out of the pen this season.
The 23-year-old has a long way to go before we see him in Queens as he’s still in High-A. However, the move to the bullpen should help the former Florida Gator move through the ranks quicker.
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Like most of the New York Mets’ trades this season, the Neil Walker deal was mostly about shedding payroll. Eric Hanhold is not a top prospect and Mets fans shouldn’t have expected one when Walker was traded for a player to be named later.
However, if Hanhold can continue to develop as a reliever and eventually help out the big league club, the New York Mets and their fans should be happy with this deal.