Jose Capellan Stats & Scouting Report

IP	123
ERA	4.902
WHIP	1.439
BB/9	3.659
SO/9	7.171

Full name Jose Francisco Capellan
Born 01/13/1981 in Cotui, Dominican Republic
Died 04/07/2015 in Philadelphia, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School San Antonio De Padera
Debut 09/12/2004

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After going from Class A to the Braves in 2004, Capellan was the key player in the Dan Kolb trade. While Kolb quickly fizzled in Atlanta, Capellan struggled as a starter in Triple-A before shifting to the bullpen and finishing the season in Milwaukee. Capellan touched 100 mph with his fastball in 2004, but with the Brewers he worked at 92-94 mph as a starter. His velocity spiked back to 95-97 as a reliever, a role he enthusiastically embraced. He generates excellent arm speed, giving his fastball late tail and life up in the strike zone. Lacking confidence in his loopy downer curveball, Capellan switched to a slider as a reliever. It's still slurvy but he was able to throw it for strikes with some consistency. His changeup remains a work in progress, and his conditioning remains a concern. Capellan could return to a starting role if he rediscovers the bite and command on his curve in winter ball or in spring training. He had a 5.16 ERA as a starter and a 1.44 ERA as a reliever in Triple-A. He'll probably open 2006 in a set-up role in Milwaukee.
The Brewers wouldn't have traded closer Dan Kolb to the Braves without getting Capellan. While Tommy John surgery limited him to just 80 innings from 2001-03, he dominated at three levels and made his big league debut last year. Capellan not only can hit triple digits with his fastball, but he can maintain his velocity over the course of a game. He's consistently clocked at 94-97 mph with an effortless delivery. He gave up only one home run last year because he keeps his pitches down in the zone. Capellan's spike curveball and changeup still need a lot of work. Despite urging from Atlanta's development staff, he rarely used his changeup. He has become soft around his midsection, so he'll have to watch his conditioning. Because Capellan sometimes has only one consistent pitch, some scouts suggest he's headed for the bullpen. But he'll get a shot at starting in Milwaukee this year.
Capellan owns the strongest arm in the Braves system. He blew out his elbow in Rookie ball in 2001 and had Tommy John surgery, but bounced back to reach triple digits on the radar gun on several occasions last year. Prior to the injury, Capellan was a refined pitcher at a young age, showing a 92-94 mph fastball and the ability to spin a breaking ball. His velocity has increased with experience, but the potential of another breakdown remains a concern. Despite possessing an ideal pitcher's frame, Capellan has a shaky delivery. He tends to open his front foot, thereby putting strain on his shoulder and elbow. His secondary pitches need improvement, particularly his changeup. Despite his velocity, he didn't exactly blow hitters away in 2003. His overpowering but limited repertoire suggests that his role down the road could come as a closer. The Braves admitted they were cautious in Capellan's comeback last year. Now a member of the 40-man roster, Capellan needs to prove his durability and start making serious progress, beginning this year in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Ask five different people about the best position player in the league, and you might get five different answers. Among pitching prospects, however, there was only one choice: Capellan. (It also helped that Jacksonville righthander Chad Billingsley didn't have enough innings to qualify.) Capellan's calling card is his fastball, which reaches triple digits and has above-average movement. He maintains his usual 91-97 mph velocity deep into games with a free and easy, three-quarters delivery. He throws a spike curve with good bite and rotation, and it could be an out pitch when he's more consistent with it. Some who saw Capellan pitch in 2003 were impressed with how much his feel for pitching improved and expect him to succeed as a starter. Others envision him as a closer if he doesn't refine his changeup and his command.