Gustavo Chacin

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #10 prospect in 2005
  Chacin signed out of the Jays' Venezuela academy for $50,000 and reached Double-A by age 19, but disappeared from the prospect radar when he scuffled and was demoted to the bullpen. He rebounded in 2004, leading the minors with 18 wins and being named Eastern League pitcher of the year before beating the Yankees in his major league debut. Chacin had been a fastball/changeup pitcher with a show-me curveball, and his success can be attributed to the addition of a cut fastball, which helped him get righthanders out. He changes speeds with his 83-89 mph cutter by varying his grip and pressure points. He also gives hitters a difficult look with a slight stutter in his delivery. His two-seam fastball ranges from 87-92 mph, and his changeup is average with good movement. Chacin's curve is still a below-average pitch, and he needs to improve it or find a pitch he can fight lefthanders with. Chacin has pitched his way into the Jays' plans and will vie for a spot at the back of the rotation in spring training.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #23 prospect in 2001
  Considering the Blue Jays' recent struggles to develop frontline talent from Latin America, Chacin would figure to stand out even more in the minds of the organization's player-development staff. They jumped him to high Class A in 2000 at age 20, and he responded with a decent year. The reason Chacin doesn't rank higher is that he hasn't dominated hitters since pitching in the Dominican Summer League in 1998. His fastball is average at best, and his curveball needs work. He survives by changing speeds, but he has been more hittable each time he has moved up the ladder. Toronto isn't deep in lefthanders in the majors or minors, so Chacin will continue to get opportunities to prove himself. His next will come in Double-A.