The Royals announced they have traded pitcher Brooks Pounders to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league pitcher Jared Ruxer. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster in anticipation of next week’s Winter Meetings and Rule 5 draft.
Jared Ruxer is a 24-year old right-hander who was selected in the 12th round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Louisville after a career at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He had Tommy John surgery that year with Dr. James Andrews. He pitched just 29 2⁄3 innings the next year in Rookie Ball. This year, he was sharp in 18 games for low A Burlington (Iowa) in the Midwest League with a 1.44 ERA and 7.8 strikeouts-per-nine innings in 62 1⁄3 innings pitched, but struggled after a promotion to High A. He posted a 5.13 ERA in 48 2⁄3 innings in the hitter-friendly California League, and was handled delicately, averaging just over four innings per start. His walk rate spiked, although he did strike outs-per-nine innings also went up to 8.3.
The 26-year old Brooks Pounders made his Major League debut this season, giving up 13 runs in 12 2⁄3 innings. He had a nice season in AAA Omaha with a 3.14 ERA in 80 1⁄3 innings, mostly in relief, with 90 strikeouts. Pounders is also a Tommy John surgery survivor and was originally acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 for infielder Yamaico Navarro.
This is pretty much a nothing trade that was meant to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The Royals have been very quiet this winter so far, but with the collective bargaining agreement complete, they have a better idea of how to proceed this off-season, so expect some sort of transaction soon.