On Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds will call-up pitcher Aroldis Chapman, the 22-year old Cuban defector who made headlines over the weekend when he hit 105 mph on the radar gun.
Reds Call Up Hard-Throwing Pitcher Aroldis Chapman
The addition of Chapman will give the Reds a hard-throwing lefty to help bolster their bullpen and, perhaps more importantly, by bringing him up in August, he’ll be able to pitch in the postseason.
Chapman signed a six-year, $30.25 million deal with Cincinnati in January and has spent 2010 with Triple-A Louisville. In 13 starts, he was just 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA, but when the Reds decided to move him to the bullpen, he excelled: a 4-1 record with a 2.40 ERA in 26 appearances, and 49 strikeouts in 30 innings. In his last appearance, on Friday, he struckout the three batters he faced, hovered around 103 mph, and went as high as 105 mph with what one scout called the the “best fastball I have ever witnessed.”
Our Reds blog, Reds Reporter, has this to say about “Chapmania,” in their post appropriately titled “The Trembling Townspeople Stood in Silence as the Stranger Strode Confidently Through Town, Steely-Eyed and Stalk Straight. He was the Cubandolero, and He Had Come to Save Them”:
If you are prone to seizures or uncontrollable fits of dancing, I would suggest reading this in a well-ventilated area. When asked how Chapman has taken to the bullpen, Walt Jocketty replied,
"That’s why we left him down there a little a longer," Jocketty said. "He’s adapted well to it. He actually enjoys it." The reports that Chapman is throwing 105 mph are legit. "That’s pretty accurate, and he’s throwing for strikes." Chapman’s velocity has increased since the move to the bullpen. "He’s throwing consistently harder. I don’t think he hit 105 as a starter. He was 102, 103." That's right. As a reliever, Chapman is topping out at 105. As a starter, he was around a more modest 102-103. The Reds are 6 games up in the division and are just now bringing out their secret weapon. I'd say you should make sure to eat your vegetables today. You're going to need the energy.
With 31 games left in the regular season, the Reds hold a six game lead in the National League Central over the Cardinals, with whom they have a three-game series with this weekend.
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