Dodgers Sign Former Yankees Top Prospect in Free Agency

Valentina Martinez | 18 Hours Ago

Mar 31, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Making his Major League debut, Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Sauer (65) prepares to deliver a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-hander Matt Sauer to a minor league deal Monday. The deal includes an invite to the team's big league camp in the spring.

Sauer, 25, is a former New York Yankees prospect. He was drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 2017 draft.

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In 2024, Sauer made his debut in the majors with the Kansas City Royals. The team selected the right-hander in the Rule 5 draft from the Yankees a year ago.

Out of the Royals bullpen, Sauer made 14 appearances for the team, posting a 7.71 ERA with only nine strikeouts and 11 walks across 16.1 innings. Sauer also allowed 14 runs during his time in the big leagues.

As a result of Sauer's struggles in the majors, the Royals sent him back to New York in May. Sauer was sent by the Yankees to their Triple-A affiliate, a level the right-hander had never pitched at before.

Throughout his time in Triple-A, Sauer also struggled as he allowed 15 earned runs across 8.1 innings. He was then sent down to Double-A where his numbers picked up. Sauer sported a 2.63 ERA with a 22.3 percent strikeout rate and a 3.2 percent walk rate across 24 innings.

Sauer's strong finish from 2024 should carry into next season, but it's unlikely the right-hander makes the Opening Day roster. However, he has an opportunity to develop within the Dodgers organization.

The Dodgers have a reputation for transforming struggling players into stars. Sauer could emerge as a truster reliever in the bullpen, if he can ride the momentum from his strong second-half of the season.

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