Collin

Balester

Balester was 4-5 with a 5.16 ERA, 126 H and 87/53 K/BB in 118 innings for Single-A Potomac. He’s just 20 and he has a pretty good fastball, but he’s going to have to improve his strikeout rate if he’s going to fulfill his potential.

Balester has allowed just one run in eight innings. He was expected to have a bullpen spot regardless, since he’s out of options, but it doesn’t seem like it’s made him complacent.

After entering the game in the eighth inning, he retired the first two batters before things got out of hand. Collin Balester took over with the bases loaded and promptly issued a grand slam to Brandon Inge. As a result, Coke’s ERA balloons from 2.92 to 4.85.

Balester, 25, posted a 4.54 ERA over 23 relief appearances with the Nationals this past season, despite a very solid 34/14 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings. He has pitched much better since being converted from a starter to a reliever and should be a nice addition to the middle innings for Detroit.

They’ll purchase the contract of speedy outfielder Quintin Berry from Triple-A Toledo to take his spot on the roster. Balester holds a 6.50 ERA and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings this season.

He was cleared to make room for outfielder Quintin Berry on the active roster. Balester, who was acquired from the Nationals during the offseason, has a 6.50 ERA and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings of work this season. He could draw interest on waivers.

Balester cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 25-year-old right-hander will serve as relief depth in the minor leagues.

He also gets a spring training invite. Balester had a 6.50 ERA in 11 appearances with the Tigers this season before being demoted to the minors and posting a 3.64 ERA and 45/12 K/BB ratio over 47 innings with Triple-A Toledo. He could be in the mix for a bullpen job.

The 26-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Tigers last offseason in exchange for Ryan Perry, but struggled to the tune of a 6.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings before being banished to Triple-A Toledo for the remainder of the summer. He shouldn’t have a problem securing a spring training invite on the open market.

Balester signed a minor league deal with the Rangers over the winter and had a 7.33 ERA and 22/9 K/BB ratio in 27 innings across five starts and one relief appearance this season. The 27-year-old will likely be in rehab mode until around midseason next year.