It's official: Cubs acquire Dodgers infielder Zach McKinstry for veteran reliever

McKinstry could be a solid player for the Cubs (Rick Scuteri - USA Today Sports)

by Press Release - Sat Jul 30 14:39:08 GMT-04:00 2022

SAN FRANCISCO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired infielder Zach McKinstry from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed pitcher Chris Martin.

McKinstry, 27, has played in 74 career major league games over three seasons with the Dodgers, going 37-for-176 (.210) with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBI. During his most extensive major league time in 2021, McKinstry batted .296 (16-for-54) with five doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI in April, with all three home runs and 11 RBI coming in a 10-game span from April 3-14. He has seen time at right field (27 games), second base (23 games), left field (15 games), third base (13 games), designated hitter (four games) and shortstop (1 game) in his MLB career.

The six-foot, 180-pound McKinstry has split time between the Dodgers and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2022. In 48 games with Oklahoma City this season, he is hitting .335 (64-for-191) with nine doubles, four triples, four home runs, 25 RBI and 27 walks, contributing to a .417 on-base percentage and a .904 OPS. His .335 average ranks second among Pacific Coast League players with at least 200 plate appearances.

In 2019, McKinstry enjoyed a breakout season, batting a combined .300 (129-for-430) with 24 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 121 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. During the campaign, he garnered Texas League Mid-Season All-Star honors while with Tulsa.

Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Central Michigan University, the Toledo, Ohio native has played all eight of his professional seasons in the Dodgers organization. All told, McKinstry owns a .278 average (435-for-1,564) with 78 doubles, 21 triples, 41 home runs and 195 RBI in 444 career minor league games.

Martin, 36, is 1-0 with six holds and a 4.31 ERA (15 ER/31.1 IP) in 34 relief appearances for Chicago this season after signing a one-year deal with the team in March of this year. He is 6-15 with seven saves, 65 holds and a 4.10 ERA (103 ER/226.1 IP) in 243 career relief appearances with Colorado (2014), the Yankees (2015), Texas (2018-19), Atlanta (2019-21) and the Cubs.