2010 impact rookies: Carlos Carrasco
by Alex PediciniNovember 07, 2009
I will continue to look at potential impact rookies for 2010 today with Indians right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco came over to Cleveland from Philadelphia as part of the Cliff Lee trade this past season. The 22-year old Venezuelan native entered the 2009 season as one of the top pitching prospects in the minors. He has a solid 6'3 215-pound frame He projects as a second or third starter starter with a low to mid 90s fastball, an average curve ball and a plus sinking change-up. His change is by far his best pitch and he will use it regularly in any count or situation
Carrasco spent part of 2008 and all of 2009 in Triple-A. In those 32 starts he has averaged 9.07 strikeouts per nine innings. His command has also been improving over that time with 2.71 walks per nine. He was much less dominant in his parts of two seasons in Double-A in 2007 and 2008. He had a combined strikeout to walk rate of 1.74 and a less than impressive 4.69 FIP.
He made five starts in September with Cleveland and had little success. In 22.1 innings he walked 11 and struck out 11 while allowing 40 hits and six home runs. While these results are certainly not encouraging the Indians will likely not be too worried about his brief stint in the major leagues.
His mechanics have been inconsistent at times which has led to periods of struggle. His inconsistency can be frustrating at times, but those flashes of brilliance show the potential he possesses. Carrasco is still young and could use some more developmental time in Triple-A but you can expect to see him with Cleveland by mid-season.
Alex is a student in Boston. He welcomes all questions and comments here
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