Friars Claim Dillon Overton/Designate Zach Lee
Seattle Mariners' Dillon Overton warms up prior to a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The San Diego Padres claimed left-handed pitcher Dillon Overton off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on June 19.
He was immediately optioned to Triple-A El Paso.
To make room for Overton in El Paso, right-handed pitcher Zach Lee was designated for assignment.
The Padres claimed left-hander Dillon Overton off waivers from the Mariners. Zach Lee has been designated for assignment.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) June 19, 2017
Overton was listed as the Mariners’ No. 16 prospect on their Top-30 Prospects list.
This season, he has spent time both at the major league level with the Mariners, and with the Tacoma Rainiers, Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate.
While with the Mariners, Overton made nine appearances.
He pitched 18.1 innings, compiling a 4.00 ERA along the way. He allowed 15 runs on 21 hits, and had eight strikeouts.
Dillon Overton used to throw 93MPH before TJ. Maybe another year removed, accompanied with a move to the pen would be beneficial. + change.
— Mickey Koke (@mickeykoke) June 19, 2017
Overton was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Instead of playing in Boston’s system, he opted to play for the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
Overton moved his way up through the Athletics’ system, and made his Major League debut with Oakland in 2016. While with the Athletics, Overton appeared in seven games. He had a 1-3 record over five starts, posting a 2.43 ERA, before being sent to Triple-A Nashville.
He was once blessed with a mid-90’s fastball, but his velocity has been down ever since his 2014 Tommy John surgery. He now sits in the high 80’s to low 90’s with a solid change and a decent curve ball. He has excellent control, but is constantly a victim of the long ball.
The Mariners acquired Overton this past January in a trade for minor league catcher, Jason Goldstein.
Overton had trouble finding success while with the Mariners, and was designated for assignment on June 18. That move was combined with the Mariners calling up one pitcher from Double-A Arkansas and sending SP Rob Whalen down to Triple-A Tacoma.
Mariners call up rookie RH Max Povse from AA Arkansas, option RH Rob Whalen and DFA LH Dillon Overton.
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) June 18, 2017
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.