http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3dzk0ofUQ
In this edition of ESNY’s New York Yankees Prospect Profile, we take a look at right-handed pitcher, Domingo Acevedo.
In October of 2012, the New York Yankees signed a young pitcher out of the Dominican Republic with an electric fastball that lit up the radar gun. His name is Domingo Acevedo.
Let’s fast-forward to now. Acevedo is currently ranked as the number eight overall prospect in the Yankees system as well as the number two pitching prospect according to MLB.com.
Also according to MLB Pipeline, Acevedo is one of the hardest throwing pitchers throughout all of the minor leagues. His fastball usually sits between 96 and 100 MPH but he has topped out an Aroldis Chapman-like 103.
Acevedo mainly relies on his fastball for his success but he also has a changeup that is pretty devastating as well as a slider that he is working to perfect.
Take a look at what scouts have to say about the rest of his skills:
Scouting grades via MLB Pipeline: Fastball: 80 / Slider: 40 / Changeup: 55 / Control: 50 / Overall: 50
As seen by the grades, scouts have maxed out the category for fastball while examining Acevedo.
While there is not much to improve in his fastball, the other skills range from average to below average. His changeup is above average while control on his slider could use some touching up on in the minors.
Acevedo began his career within the Yankees organization in 2013, the year after he was signed as an international free agent. In 2013 he pitched 11 games in the Dominican Summer League and went 1-2 with a 2.63 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 40 innings of work.
In 2014, the right-hander only made five starts with the Gulf Coast League Yankees and would not see much success. Acevedo would not let these struggles hold him back, though, as he came back firing the next year.
He spent almost all of his time other than one start with the Staten Island Yankees where he would be nothing short of dominant. In this campaign, he would make 12 starts and have a dominating ERA of 1.81 and would not receive a single loss.
Those numbers made us see the promising hurler break out of his shell and open fans’ eyes.
Following his successful 2015 campaign, the organization wanted to see if Acevedo was the real deal and sent him to the Arizona Fall League during the offseason.
He wouldn’t miss a beat as he pitched in seven games while striking out 11 with an ERA of 2.25. In Arizona, he would only be used as a relief pitcher but it seems like the Yankees want him to remain as a starter.
After a successful offseason performance, the flamethrower began the 2016 campaign with the Charleston River Dogs where he would pitch exceptionally, with an ERA of 1.90 through eight outings.
This performance would then allow Acevedo to be promoted to the Tampa Yankees where he would finish the rest of his season.
Acevedo would finish the 2016 season with an ERA of 2.61 with 102 strikeouts split between Charleston and Tampa.
Despite the fact that he’s currently considered a front-line starter, scouts believe that if he can’t further develop his slider, then he will be subjected to a bullpen role.
With an MLB ETA of 2018 according to MLB Pipeline, it will be a while before we see Acevedo pitching in the Bronx. When he does make his way to Yankee stadium, it will definitely be a sight to see with his electric fastball in action.