2012 MLB All Star Futures Game Preview: World Team Pitchers
Here are some capsule summaries for the 2012 MLB All-Star Futures Game, beginning with the World Team Pitchers.
Lisalberto Bonilla, RHP, Phillies: Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2008, Bonilla has a 1.66 ERA with a 60/18 K/BB in 43 innings this year between High-A and Double-A. Age 22, he throws a low-to-mid-90s fastball, an excellent changeup, and an improving slider. He could develop into a significant relief presence and has a shot at being a closer.
Edwar Cabrera, LHP, Rockies: Signed by the Rockies from the Dominincan Republic in 2008, Cabrera is 9-4 with a 2.84 ERA this year in 105 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, with a 95/25 K/BB and just 67 hits allowed. The 24-year-old southpaw relies on an 88-92 MPH fastball, a devastating changeup, and an improving curveball. Scouts have often been skeptical about him, but his performance has been outstanding. He led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2011.
Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins: Born in Cuba, Fernandez was drafted in the first round in 2011 from high school in Tampa, Florida. He is 8-0, 1.93 this year with a 103/19 K/BB in 84 innings between Low-A and High-A, with only 56 hits allowed. He has a mid-90s fastball, and his curveball, slider, and changeup are all quite effective, and his control is unusually good for a young power pitcher.
Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Reds: The Reds drafted Lotzkar in the supplemental first round in 2007 from Delta, British Columbia, Canada. His career has been slowed by injuries but he is still just 22 years old. At his best he has a low 90s fastball with a nasty curveball. He has a 4.72 ERA in Double-A this year, but with a 68/29 K/BB ratio in 55 innings.
Ariel Pena, RHP, Angels: A 23 year old signed from the Dominican Republic in 2007, Pena has a 2.95 ERA with a 93/35 K/BB in 95 innings in Double-A, showing improved command this year of his mid-90s fastball and overpowering slider.He hasn't received as much attention as he deserves, but that is starting to change.
Chris Reed, LHP, Dodgers: Reed was born in London, England. Drafted in the first round last year out of Stanford, 22-year-old Reed has a 2.52 ERA with a 51/21 K/BB in 50 innings this year between High-A and Double-A, with just 22 hits allowed and a 2.21 GO/AO ratio. His fastball is safely in the 90s and he mixes it with a solid slider and improving changeup.
Felipe Rivero, LHP, Rays: Signed out of Venezuela in 2008, Rivero turns 21 this week and has gone 6-6 with a 2.30 ERA and a 71/21 K/BB ratio in 82 innings in Low-A this season. He works at 92-94 MPH, mixing in a nasty curveball and a changeup showing good signs of progress.
Julio Rodriguez, RHP, Phillies: Drafted in the eighth round in 2008 from Puerto Rico, Rodriguez is still just 21 years old. Scouts downplay his stuff, but his results have always been very strong. He has a 3.59 ERA with a 90/43 K/BB in 88 innings in Double-A this year, working with a broad mix of pitches including a curve, slider, and changeup that help his 88-90 MPH heater play up.
Enny Romero, LHP, Rays: This 21-year-old lefty was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2008. He currently has a 3.04 ERA with a 61/46 K/BB in 83 innings in High-A, with just 59 hits allowed. He can hit the mid-90s, but his command is inconsistent and his secondary pitches (curve, changeup) are still unrefined.
Bruce Rondon, RHP, Tigers: Signed from Venezuela in 2007, Rondon has a 1.47 ERA with a 43/11 K/BB in 31 innings between High-A and Double-A, with 21 saves already and just 14 hits allowed. Age 21, he can hit 100 MPH with the heater but has an inconsistent slider. He could be a fine closer with further development.
Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals: This 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic stands just 5-11, but there's nothing short about his 95-97 MPH fastball. He has taken major strides forward with his curveball and changeup this spring, resulting in a 2.81 ERA and a 95/27 K/BB in 74 innings in High-A, with only 59 hits allowed.
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