J.P. Feyereisen probably deserved a first big-league call-up in 2019 when he was a Yankees prospect putting up very impressive numbers as a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reliever.
The righty almost led the International League in wins going 10-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 40 games, yet the Yankees addressed bullpen needs by turning to a bunch of other unproven pitchers who weren’t faring as well, the likes of Chance Adams, Jake Barrett, Nestor Cortes Jr., David Hale, Joe Harvey, Michael King, Brady Lail, Tyler Lyons, Joe Mantiply and Adonis Rosa.
Then on Sept. 1, 2019, when teams were expanding their rosters, Feyereisen was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for a 16-year-old shortstop prospect Brenny Escanio plus international bonus money. This is a trade that GM Brian Cashman already may be regretting even though it’s too soon to know if Escanio or any of the Yankees’ January 2021 international signings pan out.
Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers
Feyereisen debuted in the bigs last season with the Brewers, developed into a rookie star this year and on Friday was a centerpiece in a trade that sent him to the Yankees’ nemesis, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays dealt shortstop Willy Adames, a key member of their 2020 American League championship team, as well as reliever Trevor Richards to the Brewers for Feyereisen and pitching prospect Drew Rasmussen.
While Rasmussen was assigned to Triple-A Durham, Feyereisen will be slotted into a high-leverage role for the Rays after having a lot of success this year as the Brewers’ seventh-inning reliever who often pitched ahead of setup man Devin Williams and closer Josh Hader.
“They’re arms we believe have end of game potential,” Rays general manager Erik Neander said of his acquisitions.
Feyereisen, 28, was traded with an 0-2 record and 3.26 ERA over 21 appearances, which was tied for the most among rookie pitchers. He struck out 20 and walked 11 over 19 1/3 innings.
Feyereisen joined the Yankees organization in June 2016 as part of the 4-for-1 deal where reliever Andrew Miller was dealt to the Cleveland Indians. The Yanks’ return was outfielder Clint Frazier and pitchers Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller and Feyereisen.
The Rays passed on calling up Wander Franco, widely regarded the major’s No. 1 prospect, and summoned fellow Triple-A shortstop Taylor Walls to replace Adames. Walls, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rays’ seventh-best prospect, is expected to share the shortstop duties with Joey Wendle for the time being.
“He’s as good a defensive shortstop you’re going to find,” Neander said of Walls.
Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text with beat writers and columnists. Plus, get breaking news, exclusive insight and analysis every day. Sign up now.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
