The Mariners announced that right-hander Levi Stoudt has been claimed off waivers from the Reds. To create 40-man roster space, Seattle designated outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba for assignment.
The move is a bit of a homecoming for Stoudt, who returns to the organization that made him a third-round pick in the 2019 draft. Stoudt was one of the four prospects the Mariners dealt to the Reds at the 2022 trade deadline as part of the Luis Castillo blockbuster, and Stoudt’s time in Cincinnati saw the 26-year-old make his Major League debut. Appearing in four games last season, Stoudt posted a 9.58 ERA in his first 10 1/3 innings of big league work.
Despite the achievement of making it to the Show, 2023 was a difficult season overall for Stoudt, who had a 6.23 ERA in 82 1/3 innings with Triple-A Louisville. The righty was rocked for 20 homers over those 82 1/3 frames, and his 58 strikeouts only slightly exceeded his 50 walks. Stoudt has a decent fastball that averaged 94.4mph in his abbreviated MLB tenure but his strikeout rates have been decreasing over his three pro seasons while his control has always been somewhat inconsistent.
This was enough to make the Reds feel Stoudt was an expendable piece, as Cincinnati designated the righty earlier this week. A return to the Mariners might help Stoudt get on track, and the M’s will get a chance to more closely evaluate him during Spring Training. If Stoudt can stabilize his performance, he can act as a big league-ready depth arm to be called upon at Triple-A, should the Mariners be in need of a spot starter or long reliever to eat some innings.
Smith-Njigba’s time in Seattle might not last long, as the Mariners only claimed him off waivers from the Pirates 10 days ago. Like Stoudt, the 24-year-outfielder also has a pretty brief MLB resume, posting a .493 OPS over 44 plate appearances with Pittsburgh over the last two seasons. His numbers at the Triple-A level have been a lot more impressive, as Smith-Njigba has hit .273/.366/.439 in 686 PA with the Pirates’ top affiliate since the start of the 2021 campaign.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smith-Njigba change teams again via waiver claim, if another club is intrigued by this Triple-A protection and the outfielder’s set of tools, even if Smith-Njigba has yet to really manifest his potential. Baseball America ranked him as the 28th-best prospect in the Mariners’ farm system, with concerns about a “lack of speed or defensive value,” but Smith-Njigba has power potential and an “above-average approach and a good balance of aggression and patience.”