Arodys_Vizcaino

Arodys Vizcaíno

Arodys Vizcaíno

Dominican baseball pitcher (born 1990)


Arodys Vizcaíno (born November 13, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Royals.

Quick Facts Free agent, MLB debut ...

Originally signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2007, Vizcaíno was traded to the Atlanta Braves after the 2009 season, and made his MLB debut in 2011. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs during the 2012 season and traded back to the Braves for Tommy La Stella after the 2014 season.

Professional career

New York Yankees (2007–09)

Vizcaíno signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on July 2, 2007. He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Yankees of the Gulf Coast League in 2008, pitching to a 3-2 win–loss record, 3.68 earned run average (ERA), with 48 strikeouts and 13 walks in 44 innings pitched over twelve games. Vizcaíno pitched for the Single-A Short Season Staten Island Yankees of the New York–Penn League in 2009, going 2-4 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 games, all starts, and striking out 52 in 42+13 innings.[1] After the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked Vizcaíno as the Yankees' third best prospect, rating his curveball as the best in the Yankees' organization, and projecting him to be the Yankees' fourth starter in their 2013 rotation.[2]

Atlanta Braves (2009–12)

Vizcaíno was traded from the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves with Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and $500,000 in exchange for Javier Vázquez and Boone Logan on December 23, 2009.[1] Baseball America rated him the 69th best prospect in baseball before the regular season began. The Braves assigned Vizcaíno to the Single-A Rome Braves of the South Atlantic League. There, he went 9-3 with a 2.34 ERA in twelve starts, striking out 66 in 69+13 innings. They promoted him to the Single-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League, where he had a 4.63 ERA in three starts before suffering a right elbow strain that landed him on the disabled list.[3] An examination discovered a partially torn right elbow ligament.[4] He did not pitch for the rest of the season, ending with a 2.74 ERA overall.[5] Baseball America rated Vizcaino as the Braves' seventh best prospect after the season.[6]

Before the 2011 season, Baseball America rated Vizcaíno the 93rd best prospect in baseball. In 2011, Vizcaíno began the season with the Single-A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, but was promoted to the Double-A Mississippi Braves of the Southern League and Triple-A Gwinnett Braves of the International League later that season. Across the minors, he went 5-5 with a 3.06 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 28 walks in 97 innings across three levels.[7]

Vizcaíno was called up to the majors for the first time on August 10, 2011.[8] He made his MLB debut that day, pitching in relief, walking two batters and hitting another in the ninth inning.[9] Vizcaíno earned his first MLB win in the Braves' 2-1 extra-inning victory over the San Francisco Giants on August 16.[10] In seventeen games with the Atlanta Braves, Vizcaíno had a 1-1 record, 4.67 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 17+13 innings. After the 2011 season, Baseball America rated Vizcaino as the Braves' second best prospect, after only Julio Teherán.[11] On March 20, 2012, Vizcaino underwent Tommy John surgery causing him to miss the rest of the 2012 season.[12]

Chicago Cubs (2012–14)

On July 30, 2012, Vizcaíno was traded along with right-handed pitcher Jaye Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson.[13][14] Vizcaíno started the 2013 season on the 60-day disabled list still recovering from the Tommy John surgery he previously had and was expected to return after the All-Star break. However, Vizcaíno required arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in May, and required the remainder of the 2013 season to rehabilitate.[15][16] He returned in 2014 and was called up to the majors in September, when rosters expanded.[17]

Second stint with Atlanta Braves (2014–19)

On November 16, 2014, the Cubs traded Vizcaíno and three international signing bonus slots to the Braves for Tommy La Stella and an international signing bonus slot.[18][19] On March 30, 2015, Vizcaino was optioned to Gwinnett Braves of the International League.[20] He was suspended for the first eighty games of the 2015 minor league season after testing positive for stanozolol in April.[21]

Vizcaíno with the Braves in 2015

Following the return from his suspension, Vizcaíno joined the struggling Braves bullpen.[22] After the season-ending injury to Jason Grilli and the trade of Jim Johnson, Vizcaíno assumed the role of closing pitcher.[23] On August 6, 2015, he recorded his first save against the Miami Marlins.[24] He finished the season recording nine saves for the Braves.

Vizcaíno was eligible for arbitration for the first time following the 2015 season. He agreed to a one-year contract worth $897,500 on January 15, 2016, before hearings were slated to begin.[25] Vizcaíno started the season well recording six saves and a 1.52 ERA through June 7. He then began to struggle, and was placed on the disabled list on July 15. Upon his return, Vizcaíno lost the closer role.[26] He was placed on the DL for the second time that season on August 30.[27] Vizcaíno made 43 appearances in 2016, throwing 38+13 innings while recording a 4.42 ERA and ten saves.[28] For the 2017 season, he finished 62 games with 14 saves for the Braves in 57+13 innings. The next season, Vizcaíno signed a one-year deal for $1.55 million, avoiding arbitration for the second time.[28]

In January 2018, Vizcaíno agreed to a contract worth $3.4 million.[29] He reported soreness in his right shoulder in late June, and was placed on the 10-day disabled list.[30][31] Vizcaíno returned to action as planned,[32] only to be placed back on the disabled list in July.[33] He was reactivated from the 60-day disabled list on September 14.[34] On November 30, 2018, the Braves tendered Vizcaíno a contract worth $4.8 million.[35][36] Three weeks into the 2019 season, Vizcaíno was placed on the 10-day injured list due to problems with his right shoulder.[37][36] On April 17, 2019, Vizcaíno underwent surgery on his right labrum, and missed the rest of the season.[38][39]

Seattle Mariners (2019)

On May 20, 2019, Vizcaíno and Jesse Biddle were traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Anthony Swarzak.[40][41] As he had undergone season-ending surgery prior to the trade, Vizcaíno did not pitch for the Mariners and elected free agency following the season.[42]

New York Mets

On November 4, 2020, Vizcaino signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[43][44] Vizcaíno spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. He made 7 appearances, posting a 2.35 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He was released on November 11, 2021.[45]

Kansas City Royals

On January 13, 2022, Vizcaíno signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[46] On May 30, Vizcaíno had his contract selected to the active roster.[47] In 7 games for Kansas City, he struggled to a 6.35 ERA with 3 strikeouts across 5+23 innings pitched. On June 16, Vizcaíno was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.[48] In 16 games for Omaha, he pitched to a 1.76 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 7 saves across 15+13 innings of work. Vizcaíno was released by the Royals organization on December 9.[49]

Leones de Yucatán

On June 14, 2023, Vizcaíno signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[50] In 9 appearances for Yucatán, he did not concede a run, striking out 12 and recording 3 saves in 9.0 innings of work.[51] Vizcaíno became a free agent following the 2023 season.

Scouting profile

Vizcaíno's fastball has been recorded as fast as 101 miles per hour (163 km/h).[7]


References

  1. "Braves get Cabrera, Dunn, cash". Sports.espn.go.com. December 23, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  2. Manuel, John (December 16, 2009). "New York Yankees top 10 prospects". Baseball America. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  3. Wild, Danny (June 30, 2010). "Braves prospect Vizcaino shut down". MILB.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  4. "Jurrjens Returns, Braves Beat Nationals 4-1". Fox News. April 7, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  5. Kepner, Tyler (October 23, 2010). "Yankees Are More Than One Deal From the Series". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  6. Ballew, Bill (December 15, 2010). "Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  7. O'Brien, David (August 10, 2011). "Braves release Proctor, call up 20-year-old flamethrower". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  8. Bowman, Mark (August 10, 2011). "Braves call up Vizcaino, part ways with Proctor". Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  9. O'Brien, David (August 11, 2011). "Uggla pushes streak to 31 games as Braves sweep Marlins". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  10. O'Brien, David (August 17, 2011). "Prado hit gives Braves another walk-off win over Giants". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  11. Ballew, Bill (October 31, 2011). "Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  12. Bowman, Mark (March 20, 2012). "Vizcaino to miss '12 after Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. "Braves obtain Cubs' Maholm, Johnson". United Press International. July 31, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  14. Odum, Charles (July 30, 2012). "Braves acquire Maholm, Johnson from Cubs". Deseret News. ESPN.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019. Alt URL
  15. Sullivan, Paul (May 28, 2013). "Cubs' Vizcaino undergoes arthroscopic surgery on elbow". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  16. Silva, Drew (May 28, 2013). "Arodys Vizcaino gets more surgery, done for season". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  17. Muskat, Carrie (September 1, 2014). "Vizcaino among seven added to Cubs' roster". MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  18. Snyder, Matt (November 16, 2014). "Braves trade Tommy La Stella to Cubs for Arodys Vizcaino". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  19. Gonzales, Mark (November 16, 2014). "Cubs acquire infielder Tommy La Stella from Atlanta". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  20. "Braves demote Vizcaino, Kohn". ESPN.com. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  21. Bowman, Mark (April 2, 2015). "Reliever Vizcaino suspended for 80 games". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  22. Bowman, Mark. "Vizcaino ready to be next Braves closer". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  23. "Perez's single in 8th lifts Braves past Marlins 9-8". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  24. Bowman, Mark (January 15, 2016). "Braves reach agreement with reliever Vizcaino". MLB.com. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  25. Bowman, Mark (August 23, 2016). "uffling Vizcaino feeling 'rusty' since return". MLB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  26. Macklin, Oliver (August 30, 2016). "Vizcaino lands on DL with shoulder inflammation". MLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  27. Bowman, Mark (January 13, 2017). "Braves avoid arbitration with Vizcaino, Krol". MLB.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  28. Bowman, Mark (January 12, 2018). "Vizcaino, Winkler avoid arb; Folty set for hearing". MLB.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  29. Bowman, Mark (June 23, 2018). "Vizcaino dealing with right shoulder pain". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  30. Bowman, Mark (June 24, 2018). "Braves place closer Vizcaino (shoulder) on DL". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  31. Bowman, Mark (June 27, 2018). "Vizcaino (shoulder) expects to return Sunday". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  32. Bowman, Mark (July 14, 2018). "Vizcaino to DL with right shoulder inflammation". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  33. Bowman, Mark (September 14, 2018). "Vizcaino activated; Gohara to 60-day DL". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  34. Burns, Gabriel (November 30, 2018). "Braves tender contracts to all arb-eligible players, bring back Venters". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  35. Bowman, Mark (April 14, 2019). "Vizcaino put on injured list; Newcomb optioned". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  36. Burns, Gabriel (April 14, 2019). "Arodys Vizcaino again out with shoulder issue". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  37. Bowman, Mark (April 17, 2019). "Vizcaino out for '19; Braves quiet on Kimbrel". MLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  38. "Braves' Vizcaino has surgery, out for season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  39. Divish, Ryan (May 20, 2019). "Mariners trade Anthony Swarzak to Braves for relievers Jesse Biddle and Arodys Vizcaino". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  40. Smith, Lauren (May 20, 2019). "Mariners trade Anthony Swarzak to Atlanta Braves for a pair of relievers". Tacoma News-Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  41. "Arodys Vizcaino". Spotrac.com.
  42. "Bruce Maxwell among 9 players to reach minor league deals with New York Mets". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  43. Randhawa, Manny (November 4, 2020). "Mets sign Mallex, 10 others to Minors deals". MLB.com. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  44. "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 5-21, 2021". Baseball America. November 24, 2021.
  45. "Royals Sign Arodys Vizcaino To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. January 13, 2022.
  46. "Royals' Arodys Vizcaino: Joins major-league club". cbssports.com. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  47. "BRAZO DE GRANDES LIGAS SE UNE A LOS CAMPEONES". leones.mx (in Spanish). 14 June 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  48. "LMB: Categoría de ligamayoristas en México". milb.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.

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