MLB Rookie Report: Jose Dominguez, RHP, San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres promoted right-handed relief pitcher Jose Dominguez to the major league roster this weekend; he threw two thirds of an inning out of the bullpen against the New York Yankees yesterday. Dominguez pitched briefly in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and 2014, then with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015, collecting a total of 21 MLB innings with a 4.29 ERA and a 17/8 K/BB. He is still a qualified rookie for 2016. Let's take a look at what he offers.

Dominguez is from the Dominican Republic, signed by the Dodgers back in 2007. Initially an erratic starter, he took a large step forward after converting to relief in 2012 and reached the majors the following season. He was traded to the Rays in November 2014 then signed with the Padres as a minor league free agent last winter. He had a 3.79 ERA for Triple-A El Paso before his most recent promotion, with a 36/25 K/BB in 36 innings

Listed at 6-0, 200, Dominguez is 25 years old, born August 7, 1990. He was clocked as high as 100 MPH back in 2013 but hasn't been quite that fast lately, working at 94-98 with an average of 96 the last two seasons. That's still plenty of velocity of course. He has a slider and will vary speeds with it, ranging from 77 to 86 and usually around 83. He also has a change-up but doesn't use it much.

Dominguez has the stuff to be a strong bullpen presence but as with so many young relievers, it all boils down to command. His arm will keep him in on the fringes of the majors but whether he gets firmly established or not remains to be seen.