| Aroldis Chapman | |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds — No. 54 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
| Born: February 28, 1988 Holguin, Cuba |
|
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz (born February 28, 1988[1]) is a Cuban baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds MLB organization.
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Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He played domestically for Holguín in the Cuban National Series.
After a failed attempt to defect in the spring of 2008, Chapman was brought to Havana to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro who gave him a conditional reprieve, suspending him for the remainder of the National Series season and also keeping him off Cuba's national team for the Beijing Olympics, but allowing him to return to the National Series and play in the World Baseball Classic.[2]
Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while in Rotterdam, Netherlands where the Cuban national team was participating in the World Port Tournament on July 1, 2009; Chapman walked out the front door of the team hotel and entered into an automobile driven by an acquaintance.[2][3] Chapman eventually established residency in Andorra[4] and petitioned Major League Baseball to be granted free agent status.[5]
On January 10, 2010, Chapman agreed to a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[6] The Reds announced on Monday that they had signed Chapman to a six-year contract, worth $30.25 million according to MLB sources.[7] The Associated Press reported that the bonus totals $16.25 million, paid annually over eleven years, with an additional bonus if he become eligible for salary arbitration in 2012 or 2013.[8]
According to MLB scouts[9], Chapman's fastball has been clocked as high as 102 MPH. He also throws a plus slider and an average changeup. Scouts worry about his control issues and lack of a solid third pitch, noting that these issues could affect his ability to be a major league starter.[10] Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is listed at 6'4" tall and weighing 180 pounds.
When Aroldis defected, he left behind his father, mother, two sisters,[2] girlfriend Raidelmis Mendosa Santiestelas and newborn baby Ashanti Brianna.[11] His father is a boxing trainer.[2]
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  | title=Cuba - Jorge Arangure Jr.: Cuba likely better than 2006 team - ESPN |
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