Rays trade RHP Jaime Schultz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Caleb Sampen

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded RHP Jaime Schultz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Caleb Sampen.

Schultz was designated for assignment earlier this week to clear a roster spot for reliever Oliver Drake, who the Rays had acquired that same day.

A 14th round selection in the 2013 draft, Schultz would go on to become one of the better pitching prospects in the Rays system, but struggled with injuries and poor command. He made his major league debut in 2018 and pitched in 22 games, showing promise with an ability to rack up high strikeout numbers, but while struggling mightily with walks.

Sampen, a low-level prospect, is already 22 years old. He was taken in the 20th round of the 2018 draft by the Dodgers, and made his professional debut at the Rookie League Ogden Raptors, pitching mainly out of the starting rotation (11 starts/13 games). He struck out 31.7% of opposing hitters, with a 6.7 walk percentage.

Prior to the draft, Baseball America had this to say about Sampen:

Sampen flashes above-average velocity and was effective this season, going 5-0, 3.15 as a swingman for Wright State.

It’s still not clear what Sampen’s projection will be given the limited sample size of rookie ball, but for a possible groundball pitcher he’s got ups:

The Tampa Bay Rays currently have a full 40-man roster with the addition of Drake and subtraction of Jaime Schultz.