The New York Mets acquired minor league pitcher TJ Shook from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Tyler Jay. The deal will see the Mets acquire pitching depth not on the 40-man roster in exchange for a hurler recently designated for assignment.
RHP TJ Shook has been acquired from Milwaukee in exchange for LHP Tyler Jay.
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 21, 2024
The Brewers will place Jay directly on the 40-man roster, while Shook will head to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mets Trade Tyler Jay To Brewers For TJ Shook
Jay made his major league debut with the Mets this season after the Minnesota Twins selected him sixth overall in the 2015 draft. After a multitude of injuries and underperformance, Jay pitched well in the Independent League before joining the Mets on a minor league deal last season.
The Brewers acquires LHP Tyler Jay today. I interviewed him in 2015 for a #MLBDraft story. Here’s a story on Jay and his rise as a top draft prospect: https://t.co/OZ5kUml1h5
— Dan Zielinski III (@DanZielinski3) July 22, 2024
He struggled after signing, but looked good this spring and throughout the season in Triple-A. He has posted a 2.10 ERA in 41 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts and just four walks. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old has posted a 7.71 ERA in 4 2/3 innings this year in the majors.
The soft-tossing southpaw will head to a Brewers organization known for developing pitchers. It’s not guaranteed that the team can turn him into a breakout arm. However, Milwaukee’s pitching depth has been tested this year, and Jay could have a better opportunity to contribute with the Brewers than the Mets could give him.
TJ Shook To The Mets
Shook signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent following the truncated 2020 MLB Draft. Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Shook received interest from only the Brewers and the Mets, his new team.
At the time of the signing, the Brewers were led by current Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. It should help Shook that he’s joining a new organization led by someone who’s clearly in his corner.
A writer I often read once wrote a piece about Shook https://t.co/4p2RGiKh3N ‘I just wanted a shot’: A look at the Brewers’ undrafted free agents #Mets
— Daniel Wexler (@WexlerRules) July 21, 2024
Shook performed well in his early professional career. Unfortunately, his production has lagged in recent years. Overall, the 26-year-old has posted a 5.06 ERA in 242 career minor league innings. He gives up too many walks and homers but has struck out opponents at an above-average rate (24.2 percent).
Much has been made of New York’s new pitching lab and pitching development system. Shook has decent ability, and it will be interesting to see how the organization can help develop him.
Photo Credit: © Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
