As the morning headed to the 11 o’clock hour, an unexpected trade was broken by Ken Rosenthal. Adam Haseley is headed to Chicago.
The trade, seemingly coming from nowhere, was confirmed by Todd Zolecki.
There had been whispers earlier in the offseason about the White Sox and Phillies connecting to trade closer Craig Kimbrel. This is not that trade.
Instead, the Phillies will be acquiring a 23-year-old relief pitcher from the White Sox minor league system.
McKinley Moore peaked last season at High-A Winston Salem. There he had a 4.00 ERA in 18 IP. MLB.com ranks him as the White Sox’s 27th best prospect. On the 20-80 scale, he features a 65-grade fastball. That pitch sits in the mid-90’s and tops out at 98 MPH.
His slider is evaluated as a + pitch but his control needs work. Between 2 levels of the minors in 2021, he struck out 13.1 batters per 9 innings pitched but also walked 4.6 batters per 9 innings.
Moore has the potential to be a late-inning reliever but will need to improve his control while most likely in Double-A Reading.
Jim Salisbury mentioned that the move could indicate an Opening Day role for one Bryson Stott.
The Phillies’ top position prospect has mashed during Spring Training. He’s hit .533 with a 1.450 OPS in 7 games. He’s more than earned a Stott…I mean spot, on the Opening Day roster.
Haseley, on the other hand, was hitting just .111 this spring. Matt Veirling, who has the inside track on starting in center field, has a .768 OPS. Mickey Moniak has also performed well with an 1.105 OPS.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
