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The Royals will call up right-handed pitcher Josh Staumont, according to reports from Robert Murray and Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Jeffrey Flanagan reports the Royals have designated pitcher Wily Peralta for assignment.
The 25-year old Staumont had a 3.16 ERA in 51 1/3 innings for Omaha with 74 strikeouts and 37 walks. He was selected by the Royals in the second round of the 2015 draft out of Azusa Pacific University. He features a 100 mph fastball that has allowed him to strike out 11.7 hitters per-nine innings in his minor league career. However he has struggled with command his entire career, walking 7.1 hitters per-nine innings. He has worked as an “opener” much of this season for Omaha, with positive results.
The expectations for Staumont at this point are wide. The track-record of relievers who never figure out their control issues isn’t great, but the FB/CB combo is terrific when it’s on. We shall see.
— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) July 20, 2019
The Royals originally signed Peralta to a one-year contract for 2018, and was 14-for-14 in save opportunities while posting a 3.67 ERA in 34 1⁄3 innings. The Royals re-worked his club option into a new one-year deal this year, paying him $2.25 million with a $1 million buyout.
The 30-year old right-hander gave up three more runs in an inning of work on Friday against Cleveland to balloon his ERA to 5.80, with 14 runs allowed in his last 12 innings. He also had a bizarre exchange with catcher Meibrys Viloria in the eighth inning.
Wily Peralta, who has a 5.80 ERA/5.84 FIP and gives up a double, a single, an IBB, and a hit by pitch before recording an out, yelling at his 22yo catcher because he didn't like the sign he put down. Because the sign was the issue. pic.twitter.com/0vT2syx0yx
— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) July 20, 2019
According to MLB.com reporter Jeffrey Flanagan, Peralta said the disagreement stemmed from changing signs.