Cole Duensing and Chris Betts announced on their respective Twitter accounts that they have signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which are Minor League contracts considering the MLB lockout remains ongoing.
The terms of the deals weren’t announced, but Betts mentioned on Instagram that he is looking forward to being with the Dodgers for two years.
Duensing was selected by the L.A. Angels in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and spent the 2021 season with the organization’s High-A affiliate. In 30 games with the Tri-City Dust Devils, he posted a 6.30 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 33 strikeouts against 18 walks over 30 innings.
Duensing also appeared in two games with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball, allowing five runs on five hits across two innings of work. In five Minor League seasons, the right-hander has gone 11-23 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 233 innings (79 games, 48 starts).
God always has a plan🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/kqnGs0eJa3
— Cole Duensing (@ColeDuensing_24) February 9, 2022
Beyond excited for my new home to be with the @Dodgers!!!
…no we’re not related pic.twitter.com/Rim0yw1NVj
— Chris Betts (@ChrisBetts26) February 9, 2022
Betts was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft and split the 2021 season between the organization’s Rookie-level and Double-A affiliates.
In 27 combined games, Betts batted .149/.281/.284 with four home runs, two doubles and 14 RBI over 89 plate appearances. The 24-year-old played 19 games at catcher and served as the designated hitter for the remaining eight contests.
In five Minor League seasons, Betts is hitting .213/.330/.380 with 43 doubles, 31 home runs and 143 RBI over 1,016 plate appearances (251 games).
Dodgers Minor League signings
Since the MLB lockout began in December, the Dodgers have transitioned to filling out organizational depth through several Minor League signings.
The team reportedly reached an agreement with right-hander Sam Gaviglio last month, who has pitched in parts of four seasons with Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners.
L.A. also signed Tomas Telis and Eddy Alvarez to respective Minor League contracts, and re-signed Yefry Ramirez during various points of the offseason.
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