Edwardo

Sierra

Sierra’s status as a quality relief prospect has slipped because of some serious command issues. The 23-year-old was 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA, 37 H and 50/38 K/BB in 57 2/3 IP for Double-A Trenton. He walked 45 in 48 2/3 IP at Single-A Tampa last year. Sierra throws in the mid-90s and has a splitter and a slider. It’s possible that he’ll develop into a quality short reliever. It’s just not very likely.

Sierra failed to impress after being claimed off waivers in April, amassing a 5.65 ERA in 43 innings for Double-A Birmingham. The hard-throwing 24-year-old probably won’t ever demonstrate the command necessary to become an effective major league reliever.

Sierra has a 2.29 ERA and a 42/28 K/BB ratio in 35 1/3 IP. The hard-throwing right-hander has the potential to be an excellent reliever if he ever refines his control.

Sierra, like Bobby Jenks, is a hard-throwing right-hander who has struggled to fulfill his potential. However, there’s no reason to think this will work out nearly as well as that previous waiver claim. Sierra has never been nearly as highly regarded as Jenks was. His control is awful and he doesn’t have a second pitch to rival Jenks’ curve.

Ramon Ramirez has done nice work since joining the Colorado bullpen last week, but the other pitcher the Rockies got from the Yankees in the Shawn Chacon deal is getting bounced from the 40-man roster here. Some team may take a chance on the hard-throwing right-hander, but he’s not much of a prospect.