Hard-throwing Reyes Moronta looks for spot in Giants pen

Here’s another interesting young arm up for the September stretch run: Reyes Moronta of the San Francisco Giants. The quick take:

The Giants signed Moronta out of the Dominican Republic in 2010. He had some command issues earlier in his career but turned the corner suddenly in 2016, posting a 2.59 ERA with a 93/20 K/BB in 59 innings in the California League while exciting scouts with a fastball that touched 100.

Moronta ranked 16th pre-season on the San Francisco Giants 2017 Top 20 prospects list with this comment:

16) Reyes Moronta, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2010; posted 2.59 ERA in 59 innings in High-A, 93/20 K/BB, 43 hits, 14 saves; note insane K/IP ratio, generated with 96-99 with plus slider; doesn’t have a true change-up and command is erratic but could move rapidly as fireballing reliever if he throws enough strikes. ETA late 2018.

Although he missed some time with injuries this year he was still successful at the higher levels, posting a 2.92 ERA in 37 innings between Double-A and Triple-A with a 47/20 K/BB.

Moronta is still officially listed at 6-0, 175, but that’s his height/weight data from when he signed: he looks more like 6-1, 230 (or more) nowadays). He has no lack of arm strength, working consistently in the mid-90s with occasional 99-100 readings. He has a plus slider in the 80-86 range and will also mix in a solidly decent change-up on occasion, giving him a weapon against lefties.

He fits the power relief profile very well. The main concern remains inconsistent command but he’ll clearly be in the bullpen mix going forward. Moronta has enough stuff to close games eventually if the command holds up.