Age: 24
Born: January 16, 1998
Granada, Nicaragua
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International
free agent (July 2014)

Photo © Kelly O'Connor

SoxProspects.com Links
Scouting Scratch (10.16.15)
Scouting Scratch (7.6.16)
Notes from the Field  (4.11.17)
Notes from the Field (4.25.18)
State of the System: High Minors Pitchers (4.9.20)

Physical Description: Average height with some projection. On the skinny side, but lacks a typical pitcher’s frame. Long torso, short legs. Perhaps a little heavier than listed weight. Needs to add strength.

Mechanics: Throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. Starts on the third base side. Varies his pre-delivery routine, which sometimes incorporates a unique twisting motion. Medium leg kick, brings arm high in delivery and has an arm hook behind. Short arm action behind, does a good job getting over his front side and repeats delivery well. Average arm speed. Delivery is unique and deceptive. Works quickly.

Fastball: 89-92 mph. Tops out at 93 mph. Has improved his ability to hold velocity deeper into games. Four-seam fastball is on the straight side, but he has advanced control of the pitch for his age. Misses bats by locating the pitch rather than blowing it by hitters. Throws two-seam fastball 87-88 mph with late run, and will show a cutter-like pitch at 86-88 mph. Fastballs play up due to deception from delivery and ability to locate. Potential solid-average offering, with above-average command and control profile.

Curveball: 74-76 mph. Advanced feel and confidence in pitch. Really snaps it off and shows tight 12-to-6 break at its best. Will throw in any count to hitters from both sides of the plate. Can throw for strikes or bury it down and out of the zone when ahead in the count. Potential solid-average offering.

Changeup: 82-84 mph. Throws with deceptive arm speed, the same as his fastball. At its best, will show late fade. Has improved since he joined the organization. Started as a work in progress pitch that lagged behind his curveball, but took a big step forward during the 2016 season. Potential average offering.

Slider: 82-86 mph. Short horizontal movement. Threw sparingly in 2016, but has incorporated the pitch more since. Lacks depth and tilt. Fourth offering.

Career Notes: Uncle was reportedly a star pitcher for the Nicaraguan national team. Has been promoted aggressively, often ranking as one of the youngest players in his respective leagues prior to 2018 season. Missed significant time in 2018 with inflamation in his pitching elbow, at one point receiving an injection of some sort. Eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in January 2019 and missed the 2019 season as well. Participated in Fall Instructional League in 2015 and 2018. During the canceled 2020 season, suffered from a bacterial infection that caused him to lose 44 pounds. Attempted to pitch in his native Nicaragua that winter but left his team due to injury. Reportedly struggled during 2021 season with anxiety and depression, spending most of the season on the restricted list while back home in Nicaragua. Even requested his release at one point, but team instead placed him on the restricted list and allowed him to return home to Nicaragua. Returned to baseball during the 2021-22 winter league to throw well in relief.

Summation: Ceiling of an emergency spot starter. Strong pitchability and advanced feel for someone his age. Potential for three average pitches. Feel and command allow stuff to play up. Doesn’t have the type of physical projection you’d anticipate given his frame, but will add strength. Lacks a high ceiling, but arsenal and command profile give him a reasonably high floor. Injury history clouds projection.