Aroldis Chapman: Difference between revisions
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==Amateur career== |
==Amateur career== |
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Chapman was part of the [[Cuba national baseball team|Cuban national team]] at the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. He played domestically for [[Holguín (baseball team)|Holguín]] in the [[Cuban National Series]]. He is known as the Cuban Missile |
Chapman was part of the [[Cuba national baseball team|Cuban national team]] at the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. He played domestically for [[Holguín (baseball team)|Holguín]] in the [[Cuban National Series]]. He is known as the Cuban Missile. There is currently fierce debate amongst ESPN readers as to whom the true Cuban Missile is: Chapman or Alexei Ramirez. The world may never know... |
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==Professional career== |
==Professional career== |
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Revision as of 19:38, 9 August 2010
| Aroldis Chapman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Chapman Pitching for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 Spring Training in Goodyear, Arizona | |
| Cincinnati Reds – No. 54 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference |
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz (born February 28, 1988[1]) is a Cuban baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds MLB organization.
Amateur career
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He played domestically for Holguín in the Cuban National Series. He is known as the Cuban Missile. There is currently fierce debate amongst ESPN readers as to whom the true Cuban Missile is: Chapman or Alexei Ramirez. The world may never know...
Professional career
Defection
After a failed attempt to defect in the spring of 2008, Chapman was brought to Havana to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro who gave him a conditional reprieve, suspending him for the remainder of the National Series season and also keeping him off Cuba's national team for the Beijing Olympics, but allowing him to return to the National Series and play in the World Baseball Classic.[2]
A few years after the original Cuban Missile, Alexei Ramirez, defected,Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while in Rotterdam, Netherlands where the Cuban national team was participating in the World Port Tournament on July 1, 2009; Chapman walked out the front door of the team hotel and entered into an automobile driven by an acquaintance.[2][3] Chapman eventually established residency in Andorra[4] and petitioned Major League Baseball to be granted free agent status.[5]
Cincinnati Reds
On January 10, 2010, Chapman agreed to a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[6] The Reds announced that they had signed Chapman to a six-year contract, worth $30.25 million according to MLB sources.[7] The Associated Press reported that the bonus totals $16.25 million, paid annually over eleven years, with an additional bonus if he become eligible for salary arbitration in 2012 or 2013.[8]
Chapman began the 2010 season assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats,[9] and made his professional debut with the Louisville Bats on Sunday, April 11th, in Toledo against the Mud Hens, where he pitched 4.2 innings, giving up 1 unearned run, while striking out 9.[10]
Playing style
According to MLB scouts[11], Chapman's fastball has been clocked as high as 103 MPH (during 2010 season in minor league), but Chapman usually stays in the mid to high 90's. He also throws a plus slider and an average changeup. Scouts worry about his control issues and lack of a solid third pitch, noting that these issues could affect his ability to be a major league starter.[12] Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is listed at 6'4" tall and weighing 180 pounds.
Personal life
When Chapman defected, he left behind his father, mother, two sisters,[2] girlfriend Raidelmis Mendosa Santiestelas and newborn baby Ashanti Brianna.[13] His father is a boxing trainer.[2]
References
- ^ "Aroldis Chapman, SP, International Player". USA Today. usatoday.com. Updated December 9, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d Jose Arangue, Jr. (August 9, 2009). "New world of hope awaits Chapman". ESPN. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
- ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/07/02/Cuban.defector.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories Retrieved on 2009-07-02.
- ^ "Coveted Cuban defector Chapman establishes residency in Andorra". CNN. September 21, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4491904
- ^ http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/cuban-aroldis-chapman-reaches-deal-with-cincinnati-reds-011010
- ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100110&content_id=7896508&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4816007
- ^ http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36155108/ns/sports-player_news/
- ^ http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100409&content_id=9175330¬ebook_id=9175334&vkey=notebook_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin
- ^ Arangure, Jorge (2009-03-15). "Cuba might be team to beat: Chapman, powerful lineup make Cubans a strong WBC contender". ESPN.
- ^ http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100111&content_id=7899642&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin
- ^ A. Chapman piensa en Grandes Ligas para el 2010
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Aroldis Chapman News