Jose Arredondo Stats & Scouting Report

IP	220
ERA	3.273
WHIP	1.327
BB/9	4.5
SO/9	8.673

Full name Jose Juan Arredondo
Born 03/12/1984 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Ava Josefa Puello
Debut 05/14/2008

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Angels had hoped for better things from Arredondo, whom they added to the 40-man roster following the 2006 season. They moved him to the bullpen last spring in an effort to accelerate his development. He racked up saves in eight out of his first nine opportunities in Double-A before being suspended and subsequently demoted for storming off the mound when he was pulled from a game in June. He spent the second half of the year in high Class A, and his maturation from former infielder to pitcher hasn't made much progress. His stuff is big--a well-above-average fastball that touched 97 and can sit near 94, deceptive power slider and splitter--but he doesn't have any feel for the craft. He overthrows, doesn't repeat his delivery and works deep in counts. This will be a crucial season for Arredondo, who remains on the 40-man roster. He should begin the season in Double-A.
Converted from shortstop to pitcher in 2004, Arredondo earned a spot on the Angels' 40- man roster after the 2005 season even though he had pitched just five innings above Rookie ball. He opened 2006 in high Class A, wowing scouts and performing remarkably well considering his lack of experience. Managers rated Arredondo's fastball the best in the Cal League, and he dials it up to 97 mph, pitching at 93-94. He's raw and has little feel for pitching, usually resorting to trying to throw his fastball by hitters--a recipe for disaster because it arrives on a level plane. Arredondo has a difficult time creating movement on his pitches. He cuts his delivery off, losing extension upon release, which causes his stuff to flatten out. He has average control. He throws a splitter and slider, which are both fringe-average, inconsistent offerings. He has been durable since converting but best fits the profile of a reliever. He was removed after two innings of a start in May because Rancho Cucamonga manager Bobby Mitchell said Arredondo had lost interest, and the Angels hope he matures, especially in his approach to pitching. He'll return to Arkansas in 2007.
No relation to fellow Angels minor league righthander Felipe Arredondo, Jose was hitting .191 as a shortstop in the Arizona League in 2004 when his arm strength compelled the organization to move him to the mound. He has been a fast study, molding a simple delivery and three-quarters arm slot. Arredondo is undersized but has a quick arm and runs his fastball up to 97 mph, pitching most of the 2005 season at 91-93. His control improved as the season went on, but he doesn't have much feel for the strike zone. His secondary stuff has a ways to go, too, though his slider and changeup have some potential. He tends to get around his slider and slows his arm speed on his changeup. Los Angeles added him to its 40-man roster during the offseason rather than risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft. He'll continue his development in low Class A this year as a starter to get him innings, but his long-term role may be as a reliever.

Minor League Top Prospects

A converted shortstop who has pitched only since 2004, Arredondo remains raw but tantalized scouts and managers with the Cal League's most electric fastball. Though he entered the season with just five innings of experience above Rookie ball, he handled the jump to high Class A admirably and pitched his way to Double-A. Despite his slight 6-foot, 170-pound build, Arredondo has a mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph and has late movement. He complements it with a splitter that can be filthy when he's on. He still needs to work on his slider, but it can be hammer with late, sharp break. Arredondo also tinkers with a changeup and curveball, which both have promise but also a long way to go. He sometimes leaves his pitches up in the zone, and when he gets frustrated he can start to overthrow. His delivery has some effort to it, and that combined with his build and his fastball-splitter mix could lead him to a bullpen role. "He's a little guy, but he pitches huge and comes right at you," a scout with an American League club said. "He has the best fastball in the league for me."
Following his two mediocre seasons as a shortstop in the Rookie-level Arizona League, the Angels elected to move Arredondo to the mound. He's undersized at 6 feet and 170 pounds, but he has a quick arm and has been a fast study. He struck out 13 while allowing just two hits and a walk in eight innings in Orem's first-round playoff series clincher against Ogden. Arredondo runs his fastball up to 97 mph and pitched most of the season near 93. His arm works well and his control improved as the season went on. His secondary stuff has a ways to go, though his slider and changeup have potential to be above-average offerings. He's very athletic and fields his position with aplomb.