Carlos

Duran

DePaula is a top-20 prospect in dynasty formats and ranks alongside fellow outfielders Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope and Mike Sirota at the top of Los Angeles’ farm system. The 20-year-old phenom has a chance to make his big-league debut later this season after hitting .250/.391/.400 with 12 homers and 32 steals in 445 plate appearances between Double-A Tulsa and High-A Great Lakes last year. It’s a tough break for Ward, who has been marooned at the Triple-A level for several years now and seemingly has nothing left to prove in the Pacific Coast League. He’ll have to wait a bit longer for his chance.

Duran returns to Los Angeles after being shipped to the Athletics back in April in the Esteury Ruiz trade. The flame-throwing 24-year-old reliever boasts triple-digit fastball velocity but has battled control issues throughout his career. He posted a lackluster 5.03 ERA — 5.21 FIP — and 67/55 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this past season.

Duran passed through waivers unclaimed after being jettisoned from the Athletics’ 40-man roster over the weekend. The hard-throwing 23-year-old righty made just one relief appearance earlier this season in the big leagues. He’ll remain stashed in the minors as organizational relief depth.

Duran has been booted from the Athletics’ 40-man roster to make room for journeyman catcher Austin Wynns. The 23-year-old righty made his major-league debut back on May 22 before being shipped back to the minors. He was acquired from the Dodgers in the Esteury Ruiz trade back in early April.

Duran’s stay with the big league club lasted just one day this time around. He did get into Thursday’s game though, giving up three runs on one hit and three walks over 1/3 of an inning in what turned out to be a forgettable major league debut. He’ll continue to refine his craft at the Triple-A level until his services are needed again.

The A’s wanted to add a fresh arm to their bullpen prior to Thursday’s battle against the Angels, so Duran was summoned with left-hander Matt Krook being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 23-year-old right-hander has yet to pitch in a big league game. He has posted a 6.75 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and a 29/19 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this season and gives the A’s an option that’s capable of working multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Duran didn’t get into a game during his two days with the A’s, but considering that he wasn’t on the 40-man roster before being called up Wednesday, this still works out nicely for him.

Duran came over from the Dodgers earlier this month in the Esteury Ruiz trade and will be making his big-league debut when he gets into a game. The hard-throwing 23-year-old righty is capable of touching triple digits, but holds a lackluster 6.75 ERA across seven appearances this season at the Triple-A level.

Duran is a 6-foot-7 right-hander who gets rave reviews for his fastball movement, and he can get his heater up to 98 mph. The 23-year-old needs significant work, but it’s not a bad return for a player the A’s had clearly soured on in Ruiz.

The 23-year-old backstop doesn’t have much left to prove in the minor leagues, but with Will Smit and Austin Barnes holding things down at the game’s highest level, he’ll need to work his way into the crowded outfield mix in order to have any shot of breaking camp. He’ll be an intriguing option for fantasy purposes when he does finally arrive in Los Angeles, but it’ll probably take an injury to Smith or Barnes for it to happen. Roki Sasaki and Zyhir Hope also received official invitations to spring training on Friday.