Carlos Estevez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #17 prospect in 2016
  Signed as an 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, Estevez took a big leap forward in his second year of full-season ball in 2015. Working as the closer at high Class A Modesto, Estevez dominated California League hitters en route to a mid-May promotion to Double-A New Britain, where he accrued another 18 saves in 23 opportunities. After Estevez's strong performance in the Arizona Fall League, the Rockies added him to the 40-man roster, shielding him from selection in the Rule 5 draft. Big-bodied with broad shoulders and a strong lower half, he routinely sits 97-99 mph with a double-plus fastball, generating tremendous downhill angle. He adds an above-average, low-80s slider that he started featuring in 2014 and a straight mid-80s changeup, both with the chance to be plus. Estevez throws with a clean delivery and quick arm action, and he has made strides with his fastball command. He has kept his walk rate low--just 2.3 per nine innings in 2015--but still needs to improve command of his secondary pitches. Estevez has accelerated his trajectory and could pitch out of the big league bullpen at some point in 2016 if he performs at Triple-A Albuquerque. He projects as a high-leverage reliever with the chance to close.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #26 prospect in 2015
  Estevez is broad-shouldered, with a big body and has a tremendous arm with a double-plus fastball and below-average secondary stuff. He creates a tremendous angle when he pitches down but doesn't do it enough. He topped out at 98 mph and often pitched at 95-96 with his fastball last season, but tends to pitch up in the zone. He has trouble spinning a curveball, which is why he began throwing a low-80s slider in 2014. His straight changeup is firm and sits around 87 mph. It's not a huge action pitch, but he throws it with enough speed variance from his fastball to be effective. Estevez's command is below-average on all his pitches, but he has an easy arm action and the potential to become a high-leverage reliever. He should pitch at high Class A Modesto in 2015.