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Do IT this week: Layering
A major move might be soon for pitcher Rondon
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Apr 09, 2009
Hector Rondon is a Double-A rookie.
Yet, before the 21-year old had even tossed his first pitch in the Aeros' season opener Wednesday night, he'd already been designated the ace of the pitching staff.
Proving rather advanced for his level of experience, Rondon quickly showed he could live up the high billing in his Aeros debut.
He allowed five hits and one run in 52/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one.
''He's a good, young pitcher with a real live arm,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. ''He was very impressive in spring training, and showed a lot of composure. I know the big-league staff really liked what they saw. Now, they just want him to continue developing here at the Double-A level.''
The Bowie Baysox, whom the Aeros defeated 9-5, might argue that there's not much more for Rondon to work on.
Throwing a deceptive fastball ranging between 90-93 mph with a high of 96, Rondon had shut out the Baysox through five innings before allowing a leadoff double to Jeff Fiorentino in the sixth. Brandon Snyder's single followed to
put the Baysox on the board, prompting Sarbaugh to call to the bullpen.
A nondrafted free agent signed by the Tribe in 2004, Rondon will spend his time with the Aeros focusing on refining his delivery and secondary pitches.
''He needs to tighten up his breaking ball a little bit and the same thing with his change-up, making sure he keeps it consistent and with a good velocity off his fastball,'' Aeros pitching coach Ruben Niebla said. ''He has such a good, live, electric fastball, he's definitely on the radar of the big-league team.''
A 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, Rondon went 11-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 27 starts last year at Class-A Kinston, striking out 145 batters in just as many innings. In his first three professional seasons, Rondon has struck out 290 and walked 72 in 3332/3 innings.
''He's a powerful and aggressive strike-thrower, but he does it with ease,'' said Indians farm director Ross Atkins, who was at Canal Park Wednesday for Rondon's debut. ''He commands the ball a little bit better each year, his change-up is a little bit better each year and his velocity creeps up each year.''
Pitching with such good control, Rondon could still rely heavily on his fastball and get by, even at this level. But to dominate Double-A batters and progress to the major leagues, he'll eventually require solid off-speed stuff in his repertoire.
''He throws strikes, he controls the running game and he fields his position well,'' Atkins said. ''So he does a lot of the little things, too.''
With question marks at the bottom of the Indians' starting rotation, Rondon could find himself in the big-league mix sooner rather than later.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians and Aeros blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters.
Hector Rondon is a Double-A rookie.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 07:58 AM, 04/09/2009
Way to go lil Injuns. .
Akron, OH
Posted 09:04 AM, 04/09/2009
How soon until this guy can be ready for CLE?
GO AEROS! GO TRIBE!
