Lupe Chavez Stats & Scouting Report

IP	6.2
ERA	4.05
WHIP	1.65
BB/9	2.7
SO/9	8.1

Full name Guadalupe Chavez
Born 12/03/1997 in El Fuerte, SIN, Mexico
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 150 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Chavez has changed organizations frequently at a young age. The Blue Jays purchased his rights from the Quintana Roo of the Mexican League, and then the Astros acquired him for Scott Feldman at the 2016 trade deadline. Chavez actually grew up playing the outfield, but he pitches like a veteran with years of experience on the mound. He has a plus changeup right now, but his ceiling depends on projecting strength and velocity gains. He's got a sturdy lower half already, but his shoulders, chest and arms haven't filled out yet. If he adds some upper-body strength, his present 88-92 mph fastball could tick up a grade. He already locates it well and does a good job of adding and subtracting velocity with it. Similarly, his curveball already has good shape, but it needs more power. If he can find a way to throw it harder, it can be a plus pitch. Chavez's understanding of how to set up hitters means he could make a case to jump to low Class A Quad Cities in 2017.
The Blue Jays purchased Chavez's contract from the Mexican League's Quintana Roo franchise on July 2, 2014, and he was advanced enough to move up from the Dominican Summer League to the Rookielevel Gulf Coast League by the end of 2015. Chavez is a converted outfielder with a longer, leaner body that has projection remaining, but he still has polish and pitchability for his age and experience level. He has a low-maintenance delivery and commands his upper-80s fastball that peaks at 91 mph. His best present pitch is a changeup with plus potential, while he spins a curveball that he locates well but needs more power. The Jays hope to adjust Chavez's delivery as he gains strength, incorporating his lower half more to improve his velocity. Chavez has the raw ingredients to develop into a mid-rotation starter, but he's a long way away. He will open 2016 in extended spring training and could push for a spot at Rookie-level Bluefield if he proves too advanced for the GCL.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Blue Jays signed Chavez two years ago from Quintana Roo of the Mexican League and started him in the Dominican Summer League last year before bringing him over to the GCL at the end of the year. Chavez returned to the GCL this season and pitched well before the Blue Jays traded him to the Astros for righthander Scott Feldman on Aug. 1. Many other pitchers in the GCL lit up the radar gun more than Chavez, but few had his feel for pitching and ability to keep hitters off balance. He is a prolific strike-thrower with a fastball that ranges from 88-93 mph and could tick up once he gets stronger. Chavez's fastball plays up in part because hitters have to stay back for his plus changeup, which gets empty and off-balance swings. His changeup is more advanced than his curveball, but there's good shape and depth to the curve for it to potentially develop into an average pitch.