Oscar

De La Cruz

De La Cruz, 25, posted a 3.64 ERA and 105/34 K/BB ratio over 96 1/3 innings between High- and Double-A in the Cubs organization in 2019. He’s mostly been a starter in the minors, but the Mets might use him in relief.

De La Cruz cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man for Nicholas Castellanos. The Tigers probably should have just taken De La Cruz in the trade; he has a 3.89 ERA and an 85/32 K/BB between high-A and Double-A this year. He has a decent chance to become a useful reliever, and it’s unlikely that he’ll clear waivers.

De La Cruz has completed his 80-game PED suspension that dates back to last season. He’s ranked by MLB.com as the team’s No. 22 prospect.

To give you an idea of how bad De La Cruz had been coming into Thursday start, even after throwing six scoreless innings he has an ERA of 8.25. Yikes. Still, this was an example of why many consider the 23-year-old to be among the best pitching prospects in the Chicago system, as he has two plus pitches in his fastball and curve. The key will be locating those pitches better, and improving his fringe-average change. If he can’t, he could be excellent in relief. If he can, he’s a mid-rotation starter.

De La Cruz tested positive for performance-enhancing masking agent Furosemide. He’s considered one of the best pitching prospects in the Chicago system, but he’s struggled in 2018 with a 5.24 ERA in 77 1/3 innings for Double-A Tennessee. The suspension will see him miss the rest of the 2019 season, and at least the first few weeks of 2019 as well.

De La Cruz, 22, held a 3.46 ERA and 47/13 K/BB ratio across 54 2/3 frames for Myrtle Beach in 2017. He now can’t be selected in the Rule 5 Draft.