Steve

Andrade

Nice of the Blue Jays to claim the 27-year-old Andrade off waivers and then bury him in Double-A all season. He’s so terribly overqualified for the Eastern League it’s ridiculous. Andrade has allowed 21 hits and has a 64/15 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings. Maybe he doesn’t have the stuff to succeed in the majors, but he at least deserves to be earning a Triple-A salary.

Andrade had struggled some since returning to Triple-A last month, so there wasn’t much chance of him rejoining the Royals anytime soon. If he clears waivers and decides to remain with the organization, perhaps he’ll get a second look at some point during the season half.

Andrade, a 2001 32nd-round pick, was added to the Angels’ 40-man roster last winter and had a second straight impressive season for Double-A Arkansas after getting off to a rough start for Triple-A Salt Lake. Combined, he had a 2.92 ERA and a 76/20 K/BB ratio in 61 2/3 IP. The Angels didn’t think he could succeed in the majors with his mediocre fastball, but he is a decent relief prospect. He could see time in Toronto’s bullpen next season.

The only batter to reach in his three innings of work did so on a wild pitch/strikeout. Andrade, again one of the best relievers in the minors this season, had allowed four runs over three innings in his first two appearances for Peoria.

It looked like Andrade’s break might come when the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers from the Angels in December, but they haven’t even found room for the 27-year-old right-hander in Triple-A yet. Andrade has posted great numbers even since being drafted in the 32nd round in 2001 -- he’s given up a total of four hits in 15 innings this year -- but he’s not taken very seriously as a prospect.

Andrade, looking for his first major league opportunity in San Diego, has fanned nine in just four innings this spring. It’s looking like the Blue Jays will only get Jamie Vermilyea back after losing two players in the Rule 5 draft.

Doug Brocail’s absence increases the chances that the Padres will have room for Andrade in their pen. He allowed three runs -- two earned -- in 2 1/3 innings so far, but he’s fanned six.

This might be the performance that locks up a bullpen job for Andrade. The Rule 5 pick has struck out 15 while amassing a 2.25 ERA in eight innings.

Unbelievable. First Shane Costa over Aaron Guiel and Chip Ambres and now Steve Stemle over Andrade and Joel Peralta. Either of the alternatives would have been superior. Andrade has awesome minor league numbers and was the best pitcher of the group this spring, and Peralta has the most major league success and arguably the best stuff of the group. Stemle, on the other hand, is an obvious 13th or 14th pitcher. He’s nice to have around as Triple-A depth, but if he’s beginning the season on the major league roster, the organization is doing something wrong. Or everything wrong, in the case of the Royals. Maybe the three hits allowed and 16 Ks in 11 spring innings will cause some team to claim Andrade off waivers.