ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Sam McWilliams and minor league left-handed pitcher Colin Poche from the Arizona Diamondbacks as the players to be named to complete the Feb. 20 three-team trade with the New York Yankees. The Rays traded outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Diamondbacks in exchange for left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda (from Arizona) and minor league second baseman Nick Solak (from New York). The Yankees received infielder Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks and sent minor league right-handed pitcher Taylor Widener to Arizona.
McWilliams, 22, is 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA (25.2-IP, 6-ER) in five appearances, all starts, for Class-A Visalia. He ranks third in the California League with 32 strikeouts, including a career-high 12 strikeouts in his last start on April 26 vs. Lancaster (Rockies). He entered the season rated as the No. 13 prospect in the D-backs system by Baseball America. Over parts of five minor league seasons, he is 17-18 with a 3.86 ERA (291.1-IP, 108-ER) in 61 appearances (57 starts). He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth round of the 2014 June Draft from Beech (Tenn.) High School. He was traded by the Phillies to the Diamondbacks in 2015 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. He will be assigned to Class-A Charlotte.
Poche (poh-SHAY), 24, hasn't allowed a run in nine appearances for Double-A Jackson this season, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (11-IP, 0-ER) and 23 strikeouts. He ranks first among Southern League relievers with a 18.82 SO/9 IP ratio and second with a .086 opponents' average. He entered the season rated as the No. 29 prospect in the D-backs system by Baseball America. Over parts of three minor league seasons, he is 4-3 with a 1.75 ERA (92.1-IP, 18-ER) in 61 appearances (four starts). He was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 14th round of the 2016 June Draft out of Dallas Baptist University. He will be assigned to Double-A Montgomery.