Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in...

Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from 15 major league teams.

... at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and change-up.

The Red Sox already made a bid of $15.5 million for Chapman, but that was with his old agent.

3 months ago Travis G 19 comments 0 recs |

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thats lame

for someone marketed as “consistently hitting the triple digits”, topping out at 96 should be considered epic failure.

PASS for that price

by GriffMan on Dec 15, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agent Randy Hendricks: “A lot of life on his pitches, threw real well. Not all-out, which is what we told the teams he would not do, but sufficient I think to let everybody know he’s ready for prime time.”

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 15, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

this post

is an epic failure… get a grip dude.

by NumberSeven on Dec 15, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

relax

he wasn’t going all out. I agree that he shouldn’t be signed for that much, but he’s got a lot of talent. I think the Yanks should take a shot at him and get him for the right price. He’s young, and could be a dominating pitcher for the Yankees in a few years.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 15, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know this is just piling on

but you normally don’t hit your max velocity throwing a side session in the offseason. When Strasburg showed up to Washington he was only throwing low to mid 90s as well.

If he’s topping out at 96 during this bullshit, he has 100 in his arm.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Dec 15, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

96?

96 is pretty damn fast.

CC sits at 92-93 also.

That’s throwing pretty hard.

"It ain't over till its over"---

How come no one covers Steve Smith?

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

apologies

im at work and couldnt fully read the article, thanks for clearing that up for me. It alllllll makes sense now.

I take back my epic fail comment, but still dont think hes worth a $15 mil investment

by GriffMan on Dec 15, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If he turns into the next Randy Johnson, he’s worth that and more. That’s a huge IF though.

by Wraithpk on Dec 15, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree, he has a ton of potential

and id hate to see the red sox end up with the next Randy Johnson, its just hard to swallow that price tag on such a raw pitcher

by GriffMan on Dec 15, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sux are never getting him

after signing Lackey

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 15, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shouldn't that read "Chapman, '21,'..."

by PortlandYankee on Dec 15, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just

because he’s Cuban doesn’t mean he’s definitely not 21. I’m not saying it’s certain he’s that age, with all the history of Cuban pitchers. But people who don’t want him signed with they Yankees can’t have “21” as their argument.

by moose35 on Dec 15, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta pay the LA tax, and assume he's 2-3 years older

Which means that realistically, what Chapman is is all he’s going to be, whereas you still expect a 21 yo to build on their game.

by PortlandYankee on Dec 15, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN's Latin American

specialist says he’s 21. he’s seen his passport (for what that’s worth).

by Travis G on Dec 15, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What, the passport he

got re-done after defecting and leaving his previous one with the Cuban security detail?

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Dec 15, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what's the difference?

The Cubans seem to age well. El Duque was about 50 when he first started with the Yanks. He could still be effective.

Whether he’s 21, 24, or 42…these Cuban pitcher seem to age well.

I mean…I know there’s the Contreras thing….

But there’s also the El Duque thing. The Duke was about as big a reason for the Yanks success from 98-2000 as any other pitcher. Dude was the MAN in the playoffs.

For 16-18 million?

How long are we talking here too? 4-5 years?

They’re the Yankees. They’re still spending after Pavano, Kei Igawa, Jaret Wright etc…..

Do it. Chuck him in the minors.

He never pitches…he never pitches.

He does? Boom.

"It ain't over till its over"---

How come no one covers Steve Smith?

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It depends how his secondary pitches are

Randy Johnson wasn’t the MVP pitcher he was solely because he could throw 100mph. He also had one of the most devastating sliders the game had ever seen. If Chapman’s other pitches aren’t good, then he’s a closer at best. Pay 16M for a closer not named Rivera? No thanks.

by Wraithpk on Dec 15, 2009 6:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

know who else threw fire?

kyle farnsworth and scott proctor.
just because you can throw 100 doesn’t make you a good pitcher
Last I heard he was allergic to the strike zone (see WBC).
Great potential but risky

by dahhnold on Dec 15, 2009 10:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs