The White Sox have traded Robbie Grossman to the Texas Rangers for right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoea. The Wailuku, Hawai’i native’s full name is Anthony David Maui La’akea Hoopii-Tuionetoa (“hoo-OH-pee two-EE-oh-NEE-toe-ah”).
Hoopii-Tuionetoea is not ranked inside the Texas Rangers Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. However, he was named a MiLB Organizational All-Star in 2022 and an Arizona Fall League Rising Star in 2023. He logged a two-strikeout performance for the AL in the Fall Stars Game. He is now ranked as the No. 28th prospect in the White Sox farm system.
The 6’2” righty throws a fastball which sits between 94-96 mph and a slider that tops out at 85 mph. His stuff has proven to be effective, averaging 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings for his career. This season he has limited opponents to a .167 average in Double-A.
Hoopii-Tuionetoea has spent his entire professional career in the Rangers organization. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 30th round of the 2019 MLB draft after pitching for Pierce Community College in Washington. He owns a career 3.15 ERA throughout four seasons in the minor leagues with 146 strikeouts and 18 saves in 103 innings of work. Opponents are hitting just .213 off of him during that stretch.
The 23-year-old has yet to allow an earned run this season. In 12.1 innings with Double-A Frisco he has struck out 16 with a 0.89 WHIP, a save, and one unearned run allowed. All 12 of his appearances have come out of the bullpen. Before the trade, he ranked first among Texas League relievers in ERA (0.00) second in WHIP, and opponents average, third in strikeout-to-walk rate (4.00), and seventh in strikeouts per nine (11.68). He has been assigned to Double-A Birmingham.
The White Sox signed Grossman to a minor league deal in March. He showed a knack for getting on base during his 25 games with the White Sox slashing .211/.329/.268 with four doubles, four RBIs, 13 walks, and six runs scored. His 15.3 percent walk rate ranks in the MLB’s 95th percentile. The trade marks a reunion of sorts for Grossman who played 115 games for the Rangers last season.
The White Sox selected the contract of Zach Remillard to fill Grossman’s roster spot. He rejoins the team after being DFA’d by the White Sox back on April 22nd. The 30-year-old has played in just two MLB games this season going 1 for 5 with a run scored.
