Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports has confirmed on Twitter that Aroldis Chapman has signed with the Cincinnati Reds for five years and $30 million. This comes as a bit of a shock, especially given the depth of the Reds rotation already.
While Edison Volquez is likely to miss the majority of the season, the team still has Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto as it’s top three, along with Homer Bailey to help fill out the rotation. You have to wonder if the Reds, who obviously view him as a starting pitcher based on the contract they gave him, will have him open the season in Triple-A. You also have to wonder if they will be more open to trading someone like Harang or Arroyo in an attempt to free up some money in the budget.
Even if Chapman were to start the year in Triple-A, it’s only a matter of time before he sees time in the Major Leagues. I just don’t see the Reds making this big of an investment on a 21-year old pitcher and not expect him to make an impact in 2010. Said to throw upwards of 100 mph, Chapman has been compared to 2009 first overall pick Stephen Strasburg as one of the best arms not in the Major Leagues.
In an article on ESPN (click here to read), they claimed that during last year’s World Baseball Classic he was clocked as hitting 102, though in his audtion for team’s in December he reached just 96. Still, for a left-handed pitcher, that’s something special.
It’s tough to say how his live arm will translate to the Major League game, especially in a small park like Cincinnati. While he could be plagued by the long ball, I don’t think it would be a crippling mark, especially if people can’t make contact enough to get on base. Solo home runs just don’t have as much impact as two or three-run shots. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him struggle a bit, at times, especially in his rookie season, but with Volquez & Cueto, there’s a lot to like about the Reds future rotation.
From a fantasy perspective, he’s an excellent late round draft pick in all formats, especially if you have a deep enough bench to stash him if he were to start the season in the Minor Leagues. In keeper leagues/dynasty leagues, if he’s not owned already he needs to be grabbed.
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Previous Fantasy Impacts of Recent Transactions:
- Hermida to Boston
- Teahen for Fields & Getz
- Iwamura to Pittsburgh
- Hardy for Gomez
- Shoppach to Tampa Bay
- Wagner to Atlanta
- Polanco, Scutaro, Fox & Zaun
- Granderson-Scherzer-Jackson Blockbuster
- Millwood, Harden, Wolf & More
- Figgins, Lowell & More
- Lackey to the Red Sox
- Matsui, Cameron & Pierre
- Halladay/Lee Blockbuster
- Javier Vazquez to the Yankees
- Beltre to Boston
- Cleveland signs Duncan & Kearns
100 mph isnt a fantasy stat, but walks are. avoid at all costs in 1 year leagues
The arm seems like the real-deal, which makes him worthy of a late round grab, as you said. Definitely in keeper leagues, but yearly ones should be more hesitant. I wouldn’t reach for him if he’s there at this point
In a 23+ round draft, I’d pick him up in the very LAST round. Either him or Bumgarner. Although I think I’d side with Chapman simply because of his upside and his division. That park is a killer though
a MR with a high k rate will be much more useful than a triple A player
I don’t know about Chapman but Bumgarner should be taken before the last round in 1 year leagues. He’ll have better stats than veteran lefties Washburn and Perez. He’s this year’s Tommy Hanson.
I agree with the idea of taking Bumgarner over Chapman at this point. Bumgarner has more potential to make an impact immediately, while Chapman could spend significant time at Tiple-A.
Still, Chapman is someone that has to be monitored closely. That arm is just too alluring to ignore. If you have room on your bench, he has to be a consideration.
the guy had a 1.40 or 1.45 whip in cuba. hes not worth a bench spot
Bumgarner over Chapman and that’s not close. Bumgarner is WAY more ready then the Aroldis but Bumgarner needs work too. I wouldnt say he’s this years Tommy Hanson either. Bumgarner has to further develop his secondary offerings before we can make that comparison. Without better secondary stuff, he’s more likely to go through the usual up-and-downs of promising rookie pitchers. Besides i wanna see him get his velocity back up first too.
Back to Chapman. Theirs no way i draft him until i see how he stacks up in MILB. Im willing to bet he doesnt light the MILB on fire right off the bat.