BA Newsletter: Get Analysis, Rankings Delivered To Your Inbox!

Nats Add More To Bullpen With Twins' Kintzler



THE DEAL

After acquiring Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle in a previous trade, the Nationals added additional bullpen help just before the trade deadline, as Twins closer Brandon Kintzler was acquired for lefthander Tyler Watson.

TWINS ACQUIRE Tyler Watson, lhp Age: 20

For Kintzler, the Twins receive Watson, a big, physical lefty who could develop into a back-end starter. While Watson was a 34th-round pick, he received fifth-round money to buy him out of his Loyola Marymount commitment in 2015. He gets excellent angle on his 88-92 mph fastball. His curveball and his changeup both show flashes of being above-average offerings with his changeup showing more consistency at this point than his curve. Both need further refinement. He’s a solid strike-thrower for his age and scouts like his frame and his athleticism.

ClubWLERAGGSSVIPHHRBBSO
Hagerstown (LoA)644.3518170939272498

cubs-900x6351.jpg

Cubs Add Nationals' Brandon Kintzler To The Mix

In a move that even surprised Brandon Kintzler, the Nationals trade the righty reliever to the Cubs in exchange for a prospect.

NATIONALS ACQUIRE Brandon Kintzler, rhp Age: 32

The Nationals’ bullpen needed significant help, but opted to go for volume over acquiring one true bullpen ace. Kintzler fits as a useful complementary piece and one with an amazing back story. He was released and out of baseball in 2006, but came back to give independent ball a try in 2007. In 2009 the Brewers signed him out of indy ball and he was in the majors the next year.

Kintzler doesn’t try to fool hitters. He throws sinker after sinker, looking for poor contact much more than strike three. It’s worked well for him the past two season in Minnesota.

ClubWLERAGGSSVIPHHRBBSO
Minnesota222.784502845.14131127

Are you a member?

In order to access this exclusive content you must have a Baseball America Account. 

Login or sign up  


Additionally, you can subscribe to Baseball America's newsletter and receive all of our rankings, analysis, prospect insight & more delivered to your inbox every day. Click here to get started. 

of Free Stories Remaining