Who is Ezequiel Carrera, the newest Phillies outfielder?
The Phillies have claimed the 25-year-old off of waivers from the Indians, and designated Ender Inciarte for assignment.
Who is Ezequiel Carrera, the newest Phillies outfielder?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies have claimed 25-year-old outfielder Ezequiel Carrera off of waivers from the Indians. In doing so, they have designated Rule 5 pick Ender Inciarte for assignment. The Phillies could try to work out a trade with the Diamondbacks in order to keep Inciarte in their system. Otherwise, Arizona has the right to reclaim him for a nominal fee.
So who is Carrera?
He brings a similar skill set to Inciarte, good stolen base numbers (18-of-23 in 384 career plate appearances) and the ability to play center field. He doesn't bring power (22 extra base hits in 384 plate appearances, a .347 slugging percentage), or on base percentage (.306 for his career). As for defense, UZR has him as an average to slightly below average defender.
Here's a story from Cleveland Plain-Dealer beat writer Paul Hoynes on Carrera, who apparently played well in spring training.
An excerpt:
. . .Ezequiel Carrera, the sometimes erratic, sometimes fantastic outfielder, who has thrilled and tormented fans for the last two years in brief, but memorable, performances.
Who can forget his major-league debut on May 11, 2011, when Carrera's pinch-hit, eighth-inning, RBI drag bunt single beat Cincinnati?
Or how about his clank job on Adam Dunn's sixth-inning fly ball on July 24 of the same year? Carrera was playing center field on that semi-sunny Sunday afternoon. He ran back to the track to catch the ball, but it bounced off the heel of his glove for an error as Omar Vizquel and Paul Konerko scored in Chicago's 4-2 victory.
After the error, Carrera looked up into the sky as if he lost the ball in the glare, apparently forgetting that he had a pair of unused sunglasses firmly perched on the bill of his cap.
In his 116 games with the Indians, he has always played at a whirlwind pace, the good and bad blurring together so that it was hard to get a good look at just what kind of player Carrera is.
Included in that piece is a quote from Indians manager Terry Francona, who says of Carrera, "His speed impacts the game." At the very least, that gives the Phillies a weapon for some pinch-hitting situations.
Just what we need .. another below par defensive outfielder! C'mon Ruben! At least the rule 5 guy could play defense. Here is his scouting report - "Speedy backup outfielder with a little upside". Why not bring up one of the Phillies minor league players and give them a chance to succeed, if Encarte isn't ready.— miket47- He should fit right in with the Phillies outfielders ... He can't hit, doesn't get on base, and is a below-average fielder. Ruin Tomorrow Jr. just keeps on keepin' on ...— Copper34
- "Ruin Tomorrow jr."...great name. How about Amoron Jr, as well?— gentian
- Another OF that is a mirror image what Amaro was as a player.— SONNY BOY
- We had the entire off-season to get another outfielder. This panic move is the front office's answer? WOW, this sure makes me confident that they have the team under control.— lefty27
- Anaro would have you believe he just went out and got a Porsche.— dasher
- Maybe the old man read some of our posts questioning his logic in playing Mayberry last night and promoting the keeping of another pathetic Rule 5 player....oh I forgot he can't read. My bad.— Phillip Phan
- You are all screwballs. This kid is a good player as a fifth outfielder and a big improvement over Mayberry and Nix talent wise. Inciarte is not ready for the major leagues and won't be for 2-3 years. Revere wasn't on the team when Inciarte was drafted. He's not going anywhere for several years. This is a good move. I'm betting Ed Wade gets the assist here.— tomficara
- Agree. This is an upgrade move. Players become available, you make a quick decision whether or not if a guy is an improvement over what you got...in this case, Inciarte was the '25th man', and if it's an improvement, you take him. It it isn't, you pass. GM's job is to reshuffle the deck, keep trying to improve the hand.
- Finally, a voice of reason. This is a real piece of luck for the Phillies. The Indians never would have risked losing Carrera except that they have outfield speed coming out of their ears. My fear is that Carrera will be lost when Delmon Young joins the team. — JayW
- A GM.'s job in the major leagues is to show competence...........— Phillip Phan
- Does either Ender or Ezequiel sound any better than Gilles? Why not just bring him or James up? The grass is always greener for Ruben's 25th player types. And they are always Mikey Marts, not Victorinos.— johnny eagle
- another domonic brown; wow, I'm impressed.— JBinPA
- Now we're listening to Terry Francona's opinion of players???? WE already have Ben Revere, Ender Inciarte, and Tyson Gillies who are all fast center fielders who have no power. Why do we need four of the exact same type of player ?— REL3
Jeez. The people who take the time to post here just to be negative about everything is amazing. Seriously, you guys have nothing better to do ?— zubzub
