Spring Training 2010
Chapman hits 100 mph
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted March 8, 2010 6:26 PM ET
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- At least one scout had Aroldis Chapman clocked at 100 mph.
Let that sink in for a moment. 100 miles per hour.
A 22-year old left-hander throwing 100 mph in early March -- not to mention the 80 mph change and a slider that got Kansas City's Rick Ankiel to wave at for strike three? Six years, $30.25 million may be starting to sound like a bargain.
In his first spring outing against another team, Chapman did not disappoint the 2,017 that showed for the Reds' 15-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Ballpark.
In two innings of work, Chapman allowed a hit and a walk and struck out three. He threw 26 pitches, 15 for strikes and picked up the victory.
But it was the 100 mph fastball that Chris Getz could only look at for a called strike that was perhaps the most exciting pitch of the day.
"It certainly looks like it's coming in there pretty good," Getz said. "I haven't faced too many guys who throw 100, so it's hard to tell. But yeah, he's bringing it."
It was the first time Chapman faced another team. He'd faced Reds batters in an intrasquad game last week, throwing an innings, striking out two and allowing a hit.
Chapman once again gave up a hit -- and coincidentally, like last week, it was to a player born in Cuba. In the intrasquad game it was a hit to Yonder Alonso, and on Monday the first batter he saw, Royals catcher Brayan Pena. Pena singled to let and was forced on a fielder's choice by Kila Ka'aihue. Chapman, who had a reputation of command problems when the Reds signed him, then fell behind leftfielder Brian Anderson. After Ramon Hernandez threw Ka'aihue out trying to steal, Chapman fell behind Anderson and earned a visit from his catcher. The lefty did walk Anderson, but then struck out David DeJesus to end the inning.
His second inning lasted just 11 pitches -- seven strikes -- and featured two strikeouts, including the one to Getz to start the inning. After Billy Butler grounded out to third, Chapman struck out Rick Ankiel.
He's got good stuff, when he learns command and knows what he's doing with it, gets a feel for being in the big leagues, he's going to be a good one," said Rick Ankiel, a former left-handed fireballer.
Chapman got Ankiel to wave at a slider for a third strike and Chapman's final pitch of the day.
"The one strike, he threw a little different one, it was smaller, I don't know if he tried to do that," Ankiel said. "With two (strikes) it was a little bigger."
Ankiel even quizzed reporters to think of any other left-handers that throw with the kind of gas. After Ankiel was able to gloat about stumping reporters, Billy Wagner came up, but his point was made.
But it's not just the fastball that has the Reds excited. It was the off-speed stuff - Chapman threw one changeup on the day, it was good, but a ball to walk Anderson. His slider also had bite.
"I don't' worry about the velocity, I know that'll be there," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said.
Even though he struggled at time with his command, Dusty Baker liked what he saw.
"It matters if he finds the plate, he was close to the plate today and when he was missing, was missing down," Baker said. "That's a very good sign. It looks like he's getting more and more into the rhythm and getting his delivery down. "
Although it's another step in the right direction, Chapman said he wasn't nervous. In fact, he was more relaxed to face a different team, he said.
"I definitely feel like I can be more aggressive in the zone and not worry about throwing the ball inside," Chapman said through interpreter Tony Fossas.
Fossas, the Reds' pitching coach at Class A Dayton, said he wasn't surprised at Chapman's poise.
"I think that growing up in Cuba in a tough situation that he grew up in, going through and planning a defection, that takes a lot of guts," said Fossas, who was also born in Cuba. "He's left his family behind, not knowing what the future's going to bring, for him this is a piece of cake."
Game Report
Reds 14, Royals 5
The buzz: Everytime Aroldis Chapman pitches this spring, he's going to be the story. And for good reason. While the official radar gun at the stadium wasn't on today at Goodyear Stadium, there was talk of 102 mph, even though I could only confirm 100 mph. Either way, it's the same neighborhood, and a nice neighborhood.
The results: Besides Chapman, the Reds finally started scoring some runs. Drew Stubbs gave the Reds their first lead of the spring on a two-run home run in the third. Jonny Gomes and Danny Dorn also homered. Scott Rolen was 2-for-3 with two doubles, and Jay Bruce was 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Chris Dickerson was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Ramon Hernandez had a single and a walk in two plate appearances, scoring twice.
Next: Aaron Harang starts for the Reds against the Diamondbacks tomorrow in Goodyear against Young Harris College alum Billy Buckner. Also scheduled to pitch for the Reds on Tuesday will be Alexander Smit, Francisco Cordero, Sam LeCure, Jon Adkins, Matt Maloney, Justin Lehr and Logan Ondrusek.
Categories: Cincinnati Reds, Featured Stories, Spring Training 2010, Video
Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Brayan Pena, Chris Getz, David DeJesus, Dusty Baker, Kila Ka'aihue, Ramon Hernandez, Rick Ankiel
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