Red Sox rejects: A mid-season look
By Rick McNair
Jun 14, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa (12) prepares to deliver a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Wade Miley from Arizona for Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa.
Webster was one body who was delivered as part of the package for Miley and has done little. Webster’s stay mirrors his time in Boston with extended visits to the pleasures of Triple-A ball.
Webster is now with the D-Backs and has a 1-1 record with a 6.46 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. In three starts Webster has failed to go beyond 5.2 innings and has displayed a similar performance as he had in Boston. Webster will continue to shuttle between MLB and Triple-A. Currently Webster is on the 25-man roster, but for how long?
De La Rosa has shown the same mystery out west as he did in the east. A hard thrower who has not developed the consistency with location and secondary pitches to take the next step in development. Frustrating to watch just realizing the potential if that talented arm could be harnessed.
De La Rosa still throws the heat with a fastball that averages 93.8 mph and uses it almost 50% of the time. So the tantalizing glimpse is occasionally present – just enough to keep the promise in the picture.
For the season De La Rosa has made 15 starts for Arizona with a 4.69 ERA, 4.13 FIP and his WHIP is 1.24. The BB/9 is down (2.3) and the K/9 is up (8.2) so some degree of progress is being made, but that next level? Maybe by season’s end? Rubby’s WAR is currently 0.8.
Both Webster and De La Rosa are now into their third organization and now the Diamondbacks hope the third time is a charm.