The Royals announced they have acquired right-handed pitcher Eduardo Herrera from the Diamondbacks for outfielder Nick Heath. Heath was designated for assignment earlier this week after Ervin Santana was added to the roster.
Herrera is a 21-year old Venezuelan who originally began his career as catcher, then an infielder. In 2019, he began pitching full time, posting a 4.56 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 17 walks and just 13 hits allowed in 23 2/3 innings in the Arizona Summer League and the Advanced-Rookie Northwest League. Fangraphs ranks him the #37 prospect in the Arizona farm system, writing:
His fastball was 94-97 almost immediately and held that range at 2020 instructs, averaging 94.