Kyle Lobstein was designated for an assignment on Friday. On Monday, he got traded. The Detroit Tigers sent their southpaw pitcher to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.
The 26-year old Lobstein player has 5.33 ERA in two seasons of the major league. However, he only made 13 appearances (11 starts) this past season due to his injuries. He finished a 5.94 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 63 2/3 innings, as reported by Freep.
He was moved into the Detroit Tigers' rotation late in the pennant race in 2014 and amazingly performed by posting a 4.25 ERA in six starts.
The Tigers acquired Lobstein from the New York Mets in 2012, after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. He was the Tampa Bay Rays' second-round pick in the 2008 MLB Draft.
Lobstein hit the disabled list after starting previous season in the Tigers' rotation. He suffered from a sore left shoulder that he got in late May and was not able to return until early September. He pitched from the bullpen at the end of the season. After the team acquired utilityman Mike Aviles to a one-year, $2 million-worth of contract, Lobstein was placed for assignment.
According to Fansided, Lobstein's primary sources of struggles this year include inflated 11.0H/9 and 3.3 H/9 rates together with a poor 4.5 K/9. Being unable to strike out hitters often makes things worse when a ptcher tends to fill up the bases.
The Pittsburgh Pirates obviously hope that they can reclaim the skills that once made Lobstein a promising Detroit Tigers prospect. Earlier this year, Bless You Boys'Rob Rogacki mentioned that Lobstein's ability mix his pitches up and change speeds are the keys to his success. If he can accomplish that from now, he has a good chance of getting back on track in the Pirates.
