January 30, 2016

2015 Prospect Watch – 30 International Prospects

By: Rocky Julich

RANK
NAME                             POS/BATS/THROW COUNTRY                AGE/DOB            HT/WT
1          Alvarez, Yadier              RHP    R            R         Matanzas, Cuba       19 – 3/7/96          6’3”/ 175 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $16M – Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Grades: Fastball 70 / Slider 60 / Change 55 / Control 50

2         Gutierrez, Vladimir      RHP    R             R        Pinar del Rio, Cuba  20 – 9/18/95       6’3”/ 173 lb.
2014-2015 Serie Nacional Rookie of the Year
Defected Pinar del Rio team February 2015 during Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico
Eligible to sign 2015/2016 International signing period began 7/2.
Scouting Grades: Fastball 65 / Curveball 60 / Changeup 50 / Control 55

3         Diaz, Yusniel                  OF       R            R        Havana, Cuba            19 – 10/7/96        6’1”/ 195 lb.
Defected 4/2015 team Havana Industriales (candidate Serie Nacional Rookie of the Year)
Signed: 11/2015 $15.5M – L.A. Dodgers
Scouting Grades: Hit 60 / Power 55 / Run 70 / Arm 60 / Field 60

4         Rodriguez, Alfredo       SS       R             R         Havana, Cuba           21 – 6/17/94         6’0”/ 185 lb.
Signed: 1/11/15 – $6M – Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Grades: Hit 40 / Power 40 / Run 60 / Arm 50 / Field 60

5         Martinez, Eddie            OF       R             R        Las Tunas, Cuba       21 – 1/18/95       6’2”/ 195 lb.
Signed 10/2015 – $3M – Chicago Cubs
Scouting Grades: Hit 60 / Power 60 / Run 70 / Arm 60 / Field 60

6         Fox, Lucius                     SS       R            R         Nassau, Bahamas     18 – 7/2/97         6’2”/ 170 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $6M – San Francisco Giants (5 tool player)
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 45 / Run 60 / Arm 55 / Field 60

7          Guerrero,Vladimir, Jr. OF     R            R         Nizao, D.R.                 16 – 3/16/99       6’0”/ 220 lb.
Signed: 7/2/99 – $3.9M – Toronto Blue Jays (Son Vladimir Guerrero)
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 65 / Run 35 / Arm 45 / Field 45

8          Armenteros, Lazaro     OF      R            R        Havana, Cuba            16 – 5/22/99       6’2”/ 205 lb.
Signed: ? (great hands – muscular college-football-player body)
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 60 / Run 65 / Arm 60 / Field 60

9          Heredia, Starling          OF      R            R         Sto. Domingo, D.R.  16 – 2/6/99         6’0”/ 215 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.6M – Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 60 / Run 50 /Arm 60 / Field 50

10        Ortiz, Jhailyn                OF      R            R          Sto. Domingo, D.R.  17 – 11/18/98     6’2”/ 260 lb.
Signed 7/9/15 – $4M Philadelphia Phillies
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 65 / Run 35 / Arm 55 / Field 50

11         Celestino, Gilberto       OF      R            L          Sto. Domingo, D.R   16 – 2/13/99      5’11”/ 165 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.5M – Houston Astros
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 40 / Run 50 / Arm 50 / Field 60

12        Javier Wander               SS      R             R          San Cristobal, D.R.  17 – 12/29/98    6’0”/ 165 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $4M – Minnesota Twins
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 50 / Run 50 / Arm 60 / Field 60

13        Matias, Seuly                 OF     R             R           La Vega, D.R.           17 – 9/4/98        6’2”/ 190 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.25M – Kansas City Royals
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 – Power 55 – Run 50 – Arm 60 – Field 50

14        Pache, Cristian              OF      R           R            Boca Chica, D.R.      17 – 11/19/98    6’1”/ 180 lb.
Signed: 7/3/15 – $1.4M – Atlanta Braves
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 50 / Run 50 / Arm 60 / Field 50

15        Selijas, Alvaro                RHP   R           R           Maracay, VZ              17 – 10/10/98   6’1”/ 175 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $762,500. – St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting Grades: Fastball 60 / Curveball 60 / Changeup 50 / Control 55 – Overall 55

16        Montano, Daniel           OF      L           R            Maracay, VZ              16 – 3/31/99     6’1”/ 178 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2M – Colorado Rockies
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 50 / Run 50 / Arm 50 / Field 60

17        Perlaza, Yonathan         SS       S           R            Maracaibo, VZ           17 – 10/11/88   5’8”/ 175 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1.3M – Chicago Cubs
Scouting Grades: Hit 60 – Power 50 – Run 50 – Arm 60 – Field 50

18        Gualmaro, Albert          OF      R           R           Puerto La Cruz, VZ    17 – 1/17/99     5’11”/ 188 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $300,000 – Boston Red Sox
Scouting Grades: Hit 40 / Power / 50 / Run 50 / Arm 60 / Field 50

19        Gimenez, Andres           INF    L           R           Barquisimeto, VZ       17 – 9/4/98      5’11”/ 158 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1.2M – New York Mets
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 35 / Run 60 / Arm 60 / Field 50

20       Estiwal Sierra, Yonathan OF  L           L           San Cristobal, D.R.     17 – 10/17/98   6’3”/ 205 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.5M – Chicago Cubs (Compared to Darryl Strawberry)
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 50 / Run 40 / Arm 45 / Field 45

21        Guerrero, Gregory         SS     R           R            Nizao, D.R.                   17 – 1/20/99     6’1”/ 170 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1.5M – New York Mets (Vladimir Guerrero nephew)
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 55 / Run 40 / Arm 60 / Field 50

22       Taveras, Leodys               OF    S          R            Tenares, D.R.               17 – 9/8/98       6’1”/ 165 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.1M – Texas Rangers
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 40 / Run 50 / Arm 50 / Field 60

23       Adelman, Aramis             SS    L           R           Sto. Domingo, D.R.     17 – 9/13/98     5’10”/ 150 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – Chicago Cubs
Scouting Grades: Hit 55 / Power 35 / Run 50 / Arm 50 / Field 60

24       Brito, Ronny                      SS    L          R            San Francisco              16 – 3/22/99     6’2”/ 170 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2M – Los Angeles, Dodgers de Macoris, D.R.
Scouting Grades: Hit 45 / Power 35 / Run 50 / Arm 60 / Field 55

25        Soto, Juan                         OF   L          L             Sto. Domingo, D.R.    17 – 10/25/98   6’1”/ 175 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1.5M – Washington Nationals
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 50 / Run 40 / Arm 60 / Field 50 / Overall 50

26        Olivo, Cristian                  OF   L          L             Boca Chica, D.R.         17 – 9/30/98    6’2”/ 210 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1M – Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Grades: Hit 40 / Power 50 / Run 60 / Arm 50 / Field 50

27        Cruz, Derian                     SS    S           R             Sto. Domingo, D.R.    17 – 10/3/98    6’0”/ 170 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2M – Atlanta Braves
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 30 / Run 70 / Arm 40 / Field 50

28        Amaya, Miguel                C      L           R              Los Santos, Panama  16 – 3/9/99      6’0”/ 160 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $2.25M – Chicago Cubs
Scouting Grades: Hit 40 / Power 40 / Run 20 / Arm 60 / Field 60

29        Vargas,Carlos                  SS     R          R              San Cristobal, D.R.    16 – 3/18/99     6’3”/ 180 lb.
Signed: 7/2/15 – $1.7M – Seattle Mariners
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 50 / Run 30 / Arm 60 / Field 50

30        Tatis, Fernando, Jr.       SS     R          R    San Pedro De Macoris, D.R.  17 – 1/2/99    6’1”/ 175 lb.

Signed: 7/2/15 – $700,000. – Chicago White Sox (Fernando Tatis son)
Scouting Grades: Hit 50 / Power 40 / Run 50 / Arm 60 / Field 50
RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned!

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

March 06, 2013

2013 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC vs. NEW YORK YANKEES

By: Rocky Julich

The New York Yankees Spring Training field was visited by various dignitaries from the Dominican Republic; among them, Jaime David Fernandez, Ministro de Deportes and Hector Pereida, Presidente de La Federacion de Beisbol. Leo Lopez, Director de Relaciones de Media. The player practice on George M. Steinbrenner Field today took a different meaning as most of the vocal exchanges heard from the opposing team were in Spanish. The visiting team on the field is from the baseball crazed Dominican Republic and they came prepared to play with a line-up that is unforgiving.

As I write the line-up sheet in my scorebook, it is interesting to note that all of the Major League players have Spanish names. Vidal Nuno, Carlos Santana, Edwin Encarnacion, Robinson Cano, Hanley Ramirez, Eric Aybar, Ricardo Nanita, Alejandro DeAza, Nelson Cruz. Tony Pena manages the Dominican team, while Alfredo Griffin is at first base and Juan Samuel coaches third. Moises Alou is the General Manager. It is one of the rare times in franchise history that the New York Yankees have faced an all Latino Major League Baseball players line-up.

The Yankees line-up reads as follows; Hiroki Kuroda, Francisco Cervelli, Luke Murton, Jayson Nix, Kevin Youkilis, Eduardo Nunez, Matt Diaz, Melky Mesa, Juan Rivera. Joe Girardi is the manager. Brian Cashman is the General Manager, presently among the long list of injured players on the Yankees. After losing in the Inaugural (2006) and second World Baseball Classics (2009) the Dominican Republic team is playing to win with a little bit of everything; power, hit & run, steals and player chemistry.

The 2013 Dominican Republic club include seven players who have participated in Major League Baseball All Star games. Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Robinson Cano played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. As evidenced by the exhibition debut defeat of the Philadelphia Phillies with 15 runs on 28 hits in a 15-2 win.

The Dominican Republic is passionate about winning the World Baseball Classic. During the second game of competition, during the second half of the 7th inning, the Dominican Republic led the Yankees 6 – 0, with 10 hits vs. Yankees 0. Continuing play in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Yankees Zoilo Almonte, with two outs on the board, connected a two run home run. Dominican 7 – Yankees 2. There were lots of fans in the seats (8,146), many of them waving the flag of the Dominican Republic with loud cheers for Nationalism over the New York Yankees. The Dominican Republic continues strong in the World Baseball Classic with wins over the National League Phillies and the American League Yankees.

Final score: Dominican Republic 8 runs – 13 hits – 0 errors New York Yankees 2 runs – 2 hits – 2 errors

The question was asked of Yankees star second baseman Robinson Cano regarding the difficulty in his competing for the Dominican Republic vs. the team he plays for, the New York Yankees. La dificultad en apoyar la Republica Dominicana sobre su quipo los New York Yankees . No response necessary. It’s just baseball with a bilingual flavor. Es un poquito de beisbol con sabor bilingue.

RTFR Radio – Stay tuned.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

The Fantastic 4

February 18, 2016
New York Yankees 2016 Spring Training

NO BIG STORY HERE? –
#54 – AROLDIS CHAPMAN – LHP

By Rocky Julich

He was born on February 28, 1988 in Holguin, Cuba. His dad is Jamaican, his mother is Cuban. He will celebrate his 28th birthday as a pitcher’s Closer on the 2016 New York Yankees team. The left-hander is 6’4” tall and weights 215 lbs.

During July, 2009, Aroldis Chapman defected from Cuba to the United States while pitching in a baseball tournament in the Netherlands. According to Chapman, he simply left his room at the Domina Hotel in Rotterdam and went down to the lobby “got in a car and left”.

Chapman was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds on January 11, 2010 to a six-year, 30.25M contract, extending through the 2015 season. A National League All-Star in each of the last four seasons (2012-15). He is the only relief pitcher ever to be named to four All-Star teams while playing for the Reds. He tossed the ninth inning for the National League in the All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park, striking out all three batters faced.

In the home clubhouse at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, Aroldis Chapman most often sat quietly at his locker before games, perhaps because of a cultural or language barrier, he rarely spoke to anyone. He seemed to stand alone among the Cincinnati players.

While consideration was being made to bring Aroldis Chapman to the New York Yankees, he was described to the Yankees as very quiet and private. A quiet personality. Introverted. Very careful about the people he let into his life. An exceptionally hard worker, with a work ethic off the charts. And, all Business. While the New York Yankees where mulling on getting Chapmen, the Manager Joe Girardi was consulted and asked for his advise regarding the signing.

Chapman went 4-4 with 33 saves and a 1.63 ERA (66.1 IP, 12 ER) in 65 relief appearances with the Reds in 2015. His 15.74K/9.0 IP ratio led all Major League relieves, while his 116 K ranked second behind Dellin Betances (131). He recorded his 500 career strikeout on July 19 vs. Cleveland, having reached the plateau in 292.0 IP to become the fastest to 500 K be innings pitched in Major League history (surpassed Craig Kimbrel’s record of 500 K in 305.0 IP, set earlier in 2015.

Since 1901, 746 pitchers have thrown at least 300 innings. Chapman is not only the all-time leader in strikeout percentage (42.9%), he is also leader in lowest batting average against .153. Already establishing incredible facts, Aroldis Chapman may be the hardest throwing regular pitcher baseball has ever seen. For certain, the hardest thrower of the hardest-throwing generation of pitchers.

According to MLB’s Statcast, Chapman threw the 62 fastest pitches in the Majors in 2015, with a high of 103.92 mph on June 29 (fouled off by Minnesota’s Brian Dozier). He also posted the highest average fastball velocity in the Majors (99.96 mph) ahead of Kansas City’s Kelvin Herrera (98.46).

Over six career Major League seasons (2010-15), Chapman has gone 19-20 with 146 saves, a 2.17 ERA (319.0 IP, 169 H, 77 ER, 155 BB, 546 K) and 1.02 WHIP in 324 relief appearances. Since 2010, he leads all Major League relievers with a 15.40 K/9.0 IP ratio and ranks second on strikeouts, trailing only Kimbrel (563). He is the only pitcher in Major League history with four seasons of a least 30 saves and 100 K, having done so in each of the last four seasons (2012-15). Only Eric Gagne (2002-2004) and Billy Wagner (1999, 2003, 2010) have had as many as three such seasons in their careers.

Aroldis Chapman has more career saves than any other Cuba born pitcher, surpassing Danys Baez’s record (114) on April 10, 2015 vs. St. Louis.

Yet, while in Cincinnati he had a penchant for finding trouble or trouble finding him. Allegations of weapons misuse, driving violations, social behavioral pattern and domestic issues.

On December 28, 2015 the New York Yankees acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds with a one-year non-guaranteed contract thus, avoiding arbitration. In the exchange with Cincinnati were included Yankees RHP Caleb Cotham, Rookie Davies and infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda.

It is thought that Aroldis Chapman is a Yankee mostly because of his troubling off the field issues. To acquire him from the Cincinnati Reds, the Yankees took advantage of Chapman’s situation, which included the reliever’s pending free agency, by using a discounted Minor Leagues package.

It is questionable how the transition from a small market Cincinnati to the metropolis of New York will impact the phenom Cuban left-hander.

In the questionable transition, according to a police report, is the allegation that he choked his girlfriend and fired eight gunshots in the garage of his home in Davie, Florida. While the police decided not to charge Chapman, Major League Baseball, under its new Domestic Violence Policy, will make its own ruling. A suspension is possible, as it will be among the first rulings under the new Agreement in which the Players’ Association ceded authority to Commissioner Rob Manfred to make the final call and it is rumored that Manfred is being pressured to send a clear message.

Chapman has spoken to investigators from MLB concerning the domestic violence incident he’s alleged to have been involved in early in the off season and had nothing to clarify other than what was included in the Police Report. Through a translator he said “if disciplined by MLB, he would appeal any suspension”. “I understand everybody is worried about the issue, I understand everybody wants to know” Chapman said. “It’s something that is out of my hands and my main focus is to play baseball. I feel great, I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started”.

RTFR Radio – Stay tuned.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.