Chapman to Start For Reds

Post #1 » by **el loco** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:02 am

Chapman set to make first start for Reds
Cuban lefty has tossed four shutout innings in relief thus far
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

TUCSON, Ariz. -- With two relief appearances under his belt this spring, Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman will make his first start on Wednesday afternoon against the Brewers.

The 4:05 p.m. ET game is the first of two split-squad games Cincinnati will play on Wednesday. The game will be available on Gameday Audio.

Through four scoreless innings, the 22-year-old Chapman has allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one. In the appearances, which were both two innings, he touched 100 mph on scouts' radar guns.

The previous outings had some differences, however. Chapman demonstrated command of all three of his pitches during his March 8 debut against the Royals. But he had trouble throwing strikes with his fastball and slider against the Dodgers in his last outing on Friday.

During one at-bat in the Los Angeles game, Chapman started Matt Kemp with a 100-mph fastball and struck him out with a 90-mph changeup.

Although he's been a huge curiosity that's drawn significant media attention, Chapman said after his last outing that he's gotten comfortable in the big league setting.

The link to the rest of the article:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=cin

Post #2 » by **el loco** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:06 am

Man this young man can throw some heat. The future starting rotation of this team could be one of the best:

Cueto
Volquez (Currently injured)
Bailey (He hasn't done much thus far, but he did finish up strong last year)
Chapman