Sporting News staff reports
Cincinnati hitters got their second close-up-and-personal look at Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman and came away impressed—just like after the first time the youngster threw to live hitters in his first major league training camp.
"When you see a guy like that your first couple of days, it gets a little easier from there," infielder Drew Sutton told MLB.com. "The ball just comes out of his hand different. It gets about halfway and just jumps at you. His changeup had really good spin. You couldn’t pick it up that well. Even his slider, it took a little time to pick up the spin."
Sutton was one of four hitters to face the talented 22-year-old, who threw 30 pitches in his session. Nobody made solid contact. Juan Francisco flailed at two fastballs before going down swinging at a nasty slider. Todd Frazier took a weak swing at a good changeup.
"His fastball is heavy. It’s got a lot of velocity," Frazier told MLB.com. "It makes the changeup that much better. He looked really good out there for sure. He can throw, definitely.
"I wanted to get a chance to face him. It was actually fun just to see what he’s all about. He has the stuff. He’s proven it to me right now."
The Reds have said all along they won’t rush Chapman, but the temptation might be there if he continues his early showing.
Sporting News staff reports
Cincinnati hitters got their second close-up-and-personal look at Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman and came away impressed—just like after the first time the youngster threw to live hitters in his first major league training camp.
"When you see a guy like that your first couple of days, it gets a little easier from there," infielder Drew Sutton told MLB.com. "The ball just comes out of his hand different. It gets about halfway and just jumps at you. His changeup had really good spin. You couldn’t pick it up that well. Even his slider, it took a little time to pick up the spin."
Sutton was one of four hitters to face the talented 22-year-old, who threw 30 pitches in his session. Nobody made solid contact. Juan Francisco flailed at two fastballs before going down swinging at a nasty slider. Todd Frazier took a weak swing at a good changeup.
"His fastball is heavy. It’s got a lot of velocity," Frazier told MLB.com. "It makes the changeup that much better. He looked really good out there for sure. He can throw, definitely.
"I wanted to get a chance to face him. It was actually fun just to see what he’s all about. He has the stuff. He’s proven it to me right now."
The Reds have said all along they won’t rush Chapman, but the temptation might be there if he continues his early showing.