Aroldis Chapman

• osu45804

  

  What do you think the Reds do with him? (All Dusty Baker jokes allowed lol) .... In his Spring Training debut today vs. the Royals Chapman went 2IP 3K's 26 pitches (15 Strikes) 1 Hit... One scout had his fastest pitch at 102MPH.
• se-alum

  

  I would pitch him 400+ innings this year, just to get some good wear on that arm. I'm sure Dusty agrees.
• Ironman92

  

  Use as needed.
• september63

  

  yahoo sports article says topped at 100 mph. Still, very impressive puting.
• bcubed

  

  Very good, I would like to see him start out in the minors for the first month or so then bring him up! But it will be interesting with all these other pitchers pitching well already!
• jordo212000

  

  start him in the minors bring him up after he gets a few starts under his belt
• big_hits24

  I think being in AAA for about a month would be a decent amount of time to get hime ready...There are 3-4 pretty solid starters above the #5 guy. Let's just hope Harang can have a solid year!
• BCBulldog

  

  Just curious, why do you guys think he should spend time in the minors? What will he learn in a month that he wouldn't have coming out of ST? I'm not sure what I would do with him at this point because he has faced a total of seven batters, but IF he looks good through the rest of ST, I say bring him on board right away.
• darbypitcher22

  

  You've gotta run with him in the rotation. i don't see why if he's impressive and if he's ready physically why you don't bring him North to start the season
• voewoody

  

  ^^
  Agreed, I mean I would definitely watch his innings which is pretty much an oxy-moron when talking about a Dusty Baker pitcher. But I see no problem with starting him out as the #5 from Day 1. Especially if he is dominant all through Spring Training.
• Quint

  

  They paid him like a major leaguer, they might as well play him there!
• Eric Taylor

  Spring Training means nothing.
  
  Will they bring him to Cincinnati? Probably
  
  Should they bring him to start the year? No
• BCBulldog

  

  Eric Taylor wrote: Spring Training means nothing.
  
  Will they bring him to Cincinnati? Probably
  
  Should they bring him to start the year? No

  Why should he not start the year in Cincinnati?
• Eric Taylor

  He needs to develop a 2nd pitch.
  
  People who know more than I do think he will begin the year in AAA.
• Azubuike24

  

  The Reds have a pretty good pitching staff. It's the strength of the team. Unlike other years, they don't need to rush Chapman. They have 5 or 6 good starters not including him, and a bullpen with plenty of experience and young arms.
• jordo212000

  

  He only pitched two innings, I'm not sure how you guys can have a valid opinion on him from 2 innings worth of work. The word on him was that he was raw. Give him time to perfect his other pitches and let him pitch on a pitch count down there for a month. There is no sense in rushing him
• RiverRat13

  The Reds can avoid paying Chapman a ton more money by waiting until May 15th to call up Chapman. If he is arbitration-eligible in '13, his contract is voided and he gets to go to arbitration. Even if Chapman proves to be ready, might as wait out five or six starts to keep his contract small-market friendly.
• BCBulldog

  

  Eric Taylor wrote: He needs to develop a 2nd pitch.
  
  People who know more than I do think he will begin the year in AAA.

  His slider is coming along nicely. He struck Ankiel out with it yesterday. I know some people are predicting AAA, but others think he has a real shot at making the club as the #5 out of ST.
  

  Azubuike24 wrote: The Reds have a pretty good pitching staff. It's the strength of the team. Unlike other years, they don't need to rush Chapman. They have 5 or 6 good starters not including him, and a bullpen with plenty of experience and young arms.

  Yes, the Reds are in a much better position than they normally are, but the #5 is still up in the air and if Chapman separates himself from the others, I don't know why you keep him in the minors. If he is not ready, then by all means, send him down.
  

  jordo212000 wrote: He only pitched two innings, I'm not sure how you guys can have a valid opinion on him from 2 innings worth of work. The word on him was that he was raw. Give him time to perfect his other pitches and let him pitch on a pitch count down there for a month. There is no sense in rushing him

  Sure, it's all speculation at this point, but what else do we have to go on? I would think that we all realize he could regress and need to spend some time in the minors. But if he doesn't, then why send him down at all? It's not like he isn't used to pitching a lot. The Cubans actually work their pitchers harder than Douchety worked Wood and Prior. If he can get major leaguers out, then don't waste his talent.
  

  RiverRat13 wrote: The Reds can avoid paying Chapman a ton more money by waiting until May 15th to call up Chapman. If he is arbitration-eligible in '13, his contract is voided and he gets to go to arbitration. Even if Chapman proves to be ready, might as wait out five or six starts to keep his contract small-market friendly.

  That is really the only reason to not bring him up right away if he is pitching well. However, if none of the other guys competing for #5 are any good, use Chapman.
• Ironman92

  

  I don't think the Reds having a pretty good staff has anything to do with what to do with him.
  
  
  If he is good enough......make him the #5 starter. Wanna save his arm...then save it in the majors where it matters. There has been little to no rhyme or reason when pitchers seem to get hurt anymore. Every (power) pitcher misses anymore at some point.....and many in major fashion. I'm just not a fan of babying (however you spell that) and then taking 2-3 years and then he's up, he's down, he's up....oh and now he's older and not as good as he seems to be now. I'm pitching him the day after or before Arroyo all year.....and if he can go 200 innings......then we're going 200 innings. Would anyone on here not take Dwight Gooden potential on here and duplicate what he did minus the drugs? NO he didn't go on to 250 wins or 3,000 K.....but he pitched a while and yes was injured....but look back at what he did with similar stuff out of nowhere.
  
  I just never understood being one of the best on a team but not playing because of experience.
  
  
  Watch moron manager of the century bring him out of the bullpen with a 7 BB in 9 innings stat line or something.....never allowing him to get comfortable. Put his butt in there. $30 million....he has 2 awesome years and it'll be worth it....if he's that good he'll be on a bigger market team in 5 years.
  
  
  When was the last time a power pitcher was babied through the minors and went on to be greatly productive for a long time because of it?
  
  The Reds have sucked for a LONG time.....pitch him now...and if he needs coaching.....maybe hire someone who can coach.
• BCBulldog

  

  GM Walt Jocketty was asked if there is a chance Chapman will be on the Opening Day roster. His response:
  
  “It’s too early to determine,” Jocketty said. “You know that. I know you have to ask.”
  
  Follow up question: But it’s going to be hard not to put him on the roster if he keeps pitching the way he’s pitching, right?
  
  “Yes, it will.”
  
  This is why I love Jocketty. Conventional wisdom says send Chapman down even if he is pitching at the big league level. Jocketty recognizes that you don't waste a good thing when you have it.
• thavoice

  Dont forget...when you can throw 97+ consistantly, with a yacker @ 90-92....you can be effectively wild and be a great pitcher.
• darbypitcher22

  

  ^^^^
  
  this is true. Saw a guy pitch against us this past weekend who was throwing 96. Didn't step up on a mound until he got to college. Didn't learn a curveball till this past summer. Had the 96 and then had a slider somewhere @ 87-88 plus an 83-84 Knuckle Curve... dude ended up with 12 Ks
• osu45804

  

  Chapman's Stat line today:
  
  2IP 2H 0R 2K's Fastball between 94-100MPH with a 83MPH Change Up
• jordo212000

  

  osu45804 wrote: Chapman's Stat line today:
  
  2IP 2H 0R 2K's Fastball between 94-100MPH with a 83MPH Change Up

  Nice! If nothing else the Reds could break him in as a David Price, Neftali Feliz-esque reliever
• darbypitcher22

  

  sounds like he's as advertised