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Aroldis Chapman hits 100 mph, strikes out three in Reds debut
By David Brown
March 8, 2010
Goodyear, AZ — Chris Getz confirmed what the radar gun said about Aroldis Chapman.
"Yeah, he's bringing it," Getz said after Chapman's Cactus League debut.
Cincinnati's Cuban curiosity threw at least one pitch that reached 100 mph, according to the scouts that were clocking him, and he struck out three Kansas City Royals over two scoreless innings on Monday afternoon.
Chapman, via Cincinnati Reds translator Tony Fossas (remember him?) didn't see why a big fuss was being made over his velocity.
"I wasn't trying to throw any harder, or anything like that, I was just working on my pitches," the just-turned 22-year-old Chapman said. "If I did hit that high, it's just one of those things."
Yes, Aroldis, 100 is the new 90.
After relieving Bronson Arroyo to start the third inning, Chapman allowed one hit — a sharp single to countryman Brayan Pena — and a walk. Of his 26 pitches, 15 were strikes, though his control sharpened after a ragged beginning.
"I'll take 100 and command," manager Dusty Baker said.
True, it was only two innings and it was only against the Royals, who employed Rick Ankiel as a cleanup hitter and Alberto Callaspo in the five hole.
But the buzz seems justified so far for Chapman, whom the Reds signed to a $30-million contract (more if he meets incentives) in the offseason's most surprising deal.
Chapman, a 6-foot-4 left-hander who defected from Cuba in 2009, said he felt better than he did during last week's intrasquad game.
"I feel like I can be more aggressive in the zone and I don't have to worry so much about throwing the ball inside," Chapman told about a dozen reporters who showed up to watch him pitch. "I went out there with the same attitude — being responsible with my pitches."
Ankiel, a former pitcher with the same kind of lively arm back in the day, said Chapman throws harder than most lefties and used sliders with two different breaks. He also cuts his fastball — something Getz did not expect — and once followed up a pitch in the upper 90s with an 80-mph change-up.
Chapman is not Sandy Koufax just yet, though.
"I think it's the same thing from everybody you're going to ask," Ankiel said. "When he learns command and knows what he's doing with it, and gets a feel for being in the big leagues, he's going to be a good one."
Wouldn't it be cool if Chapman were the next Sandy Koufax? Fossas, a minor league pitching coach with the Reds who played 12 seasons in the bigs, says Chapman has all of the necessary gifts.
"He's very bright, very smart and he already brought pretty solid mechanics," Fossas said. "He's a work-a-holic and, with the technology and video room we have here — he's never seen himself before — he's only going to get better."
Fossas says learning to pitch is nothing compared with plotting a defection from Cuba.
"That takes a lot of guts, a lot of heart," said Fossas, himself born in Havana in 1957. "Leaving his family, not knowing what the future will bring. I think, for him, this is a piece of cake."
Arroyo surprised himself by pitching two scoreless innings. Then he watched Chapman follow him and noticed something.
"As uncomfortable as a guy like myself can be at this time of year ... from where he's coming from — just getting used to crowds and knowing everyone is watching him — for him to throw strikes and not walk too many guys, it was pretty good," Arroyo said.
Morning rain and cool temperatures might have limited the crowd at Goodyear — just over 2,000 paid to see Chapman's debut — but in 20 years, many more might claim they were there.
One just had the feeling it was the start of something special
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Lou Marson scoring points as Cleveland catcher
By David Brown
March 8, 2010
What's the word, Cuyahoga Stewies?
The Indians got rained out Sunday (as did most of Cactus practice), but that just meant we had more opportunities to bother the players inside the clubhouse. Tucked between the locker for Jake Westbrook and a corner of the room was Marson, who has been billed as the Indians catcher of the future after coming from the Phillies in the Cliff Lee trade.
Well, considering Martinez is long gone to the Red Sox (and didn't that make Indians fans happy?), Marson also has a pretty good shot to be catcher of the present.
Marson, who grew up in nearby Scottsdale, said he didn't emulate other catchers growing up because he played third base until his senior season in high school.
"I was a big Chipper Jones(notes) fan," Marson said. "Still am."
Marson jumped in behind the plate after the starting catcher failed some classes and was suspended from the team.
"We didn't have anybody else and I was a pretty good athlete," Marson said. "Had no clue as to what I was doing, though I had always wanted to catch.
"I was always like, 'Lemme catch! Lemme catch!' So finally, [my coach] put me back there one winter, one time in winter ball. It worked out, I guess."
Marson took to catching because it helps him
"I like being active and not just thinking about my at-bat while standing over there at third," Marson said.
A fourth-round pick of the Phillies in 2004, Marson became one of their top prospects after big back-to-back seasons in '07 and '08. That, plus Marson's career line in the minors — .274/.369/.386 — helped him shoot to the majors.
After playing for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics (and meeting President Bush), Marson homered in his first major league game in 2008 and spent much of April 2009 with the Phillies.
But, with veteran Carlos Ruiz a better option on a team going for a championship, Marson became part of the trade package for Lee.
"I knew Philly wanted to make a move and do something; they wanted to get to the World Series, a big-market team that wanted to win now," Marson said. "So I wasn't surprised, to be honest."
New Cleveland manager Manny Acta said Marson, so far, is as good as advertised.
"He's a guy who's been highly touted since he started with the Phillies and it shows," said Acta, who wouldn't say if Marson or Wyatt Toregas has the inside track to start ahead of probable backup Mike Redmond.
Sandy Alomar Jr., who caught a few games for the Indians once upon a time, says Marson's athleticism serves him well behind the plate.
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From MLB.com:
"A kid that strong, the most important thing is defense," said Alomar, the Tribe's first-base coach. "That's what I focus on. He seems pretty comfortable back there, with quick feet.
"He's got the tools to be a complete catcher."
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Over the winter, the Indians gave Marson video, not only of his own pitchers, but of some key hitters in the AL Central. He watched, but ...
"You can pick up certain things from video but I personally think you have to go out there and experience it yourself, trust your instincts and go with your gut," Marson said. "Really, it comes down to going with the pitcher's strength. That's what I believe. Maybe I'm wrong and it's something I need to talk to Redmond about."
Moving obviously was a good move for Marson, so he'd get a chance to play. It's too bad, though, Marson just missed out on a ring and a World Series share.
Except, he didn't miss.
"I ended up getting a ring in '08, a World Series ring," said Marson, who also got some bonus money. "And [soon] I'm getting a National League [championship] ring from last year because I was up most of April.
"Yeah, they took care of me over there. That was nice of them; they're a first-class organization. [Team president] David Montgomery did the right thing by me."
Does Marson ever wonder what his path would have been like if the starting catcher of Coronado High hadn't flunked himself off the team?
"Mmm, sometimes, yeah," Marson said. "I don't think like that too often. Probably would have happened anyway. My coach did the right thing, moving me back there."
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