Stiward Aquino

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #14 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Aquino signed for $100,000 in 2017 and showed immense promise before Tommy John sidelined him for the entire 2018 season. He returned in 2019 and appeared fully recovered, touching 96 mph and striking out 49 batters in 36.2 innings at two Rookie levels.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The gangly Aquino missed a year of development because of his elbow injury, but he benefitted from the strength and conditioning program that came with rehabilitation. He has plenty of room to grow physically, and as he adds muscle to his thin frame, he should add even more velocity to a fastball that currently sits 93-95 mph. Aquino complements his heater with a low-80's power curveball that has good downhill bite and an improving changeup. He is coordinated for his size and has a clean, simple, repeatable delivery. He has a tick of deception in his delivery that, combined with his velocity, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat for righthanded hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Aquino will likely open 2020 in the rotation at low Class A Burlington. With his power repertoire and competitive nature, he may project more as a reliever in the big leagues.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #16 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Aquino, who signed for $100,000 as a 17-year-old in 2016, had Tommy John surgery last February and did not pitch in 2018, but he attacked his rehabilitation and nutrition programs with such vigor that he added 25-30 pounds to his lanky frame. Armed with exciting stuff to begin with, Aquino now stands 6-foot-6, 215-pounds with a frame one Angles official likened to a wide receiver.
  
  Scouting Report: Aquino's fastball sat at 93-95 mph and touched 96 mph in the Dominican Summer League in 2017, the last time he saw game action, and has a chance to be more now that he's added weight and strength. He complements his heater with a low-80s power curve that has a real downer action. Before suffering his elbow injury, Aquino worked on a changeup that is now a functional third pitch. Aquino is extremely coordinated for his size and has a clean, simple, repeatable delivery.
  
  The Future: Aquino is not expected to pitch until sometime around the All-Star break, and the Angels will closely monitor his innings and pitch counts as he rebuilds arm strength. Aquino has the potential to be the best of the Angels' collection of young Latin American arms.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #15 prospect in 2018
  The Angels signed Aquino for $100,000 as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, intrigued by his projectable 6-foot-6 frame and impressive body control. He went out and had a solid professional debut in 2017, moving from the Dominican Summer League to the Rookie-level Arizona League and holding his own. Aquino was labeled the “surprise” of instructs by Angels front office officials, who came away from the fall thinking Aquino might be the best of their collection of young Latin American arms. Aquino uses his long, lanky levers to his benefit, generating both downhill plane and velocity with extension. He works 93-95 mph with his fastball, spins 76-78 mph hammer curveball that projects, and throws them both for strikes consistently. The Angels believe there is even more velocity to come as he fills out his sizable frame. Aquino is still seeking a third pitch, but with two potential plus pitches, more velocity to come and solid strike-throwing ability, the Angels believe they have a diamond in the rough. Aquino will likely start 2018 in extended spring training, with a chance to see Rookie-level Orem or low Class A Burlington during the year.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Aquino signed for $100,000 in 2017 and showed immense promise before Tommy John sidelined him for the entire 2018 season. He returned in 2019 and appeared fully recovered, touching 96 mph and striking out 49 batters in 36.2 innings at two Rookie levels.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The gangly Aquino missed a year of development because of his elbow injury, but he benefitted from the strength and conditioning program that came with rehabilitation. He has plenty of room to grow physically, and as he adds muscle to his thin frame, he should add even more velocity to a fastball that currently sits 93-95 mph. Aquino complements his heater with a low-80’s power curveball that has good downhill bite and an improving changeup. He is coordinated for his size and has a clean, simple, repeatable delivery. He has a tick of deception in his delivery that, combined with his velocity, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat for righthanded hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Aquino will likely open 2020 in the rotation at low Class A Burlington. With his power repertoire and competitive nature, he may project more as a reliever in the big leagues. BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Aquino signed for $100,000 in 2017 and showed immense promise before Tommy John sidelined him for the entire 2018 season. He returned in 2019 and appeared fully recovered, touching 96 mph and striking out 49 batters in 36.2 innings at two Rookie levels.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The gangly Aquino missed a year of development because of his elbow injury, but he benefitted from the strength and conditioning program that came with rehabilitation. He has plenty of room to grow physically, and as he adds muscle to his thin frame, he should add even more velocity to a fastball that currently sits 93-95 mph. Aquino complements his heater with a low-80's power curveball that has good downhill bite and an improving changeup. He is coordinated for his size and has a clean, simple, repeatable delivery. He has a tick of deception in his delivery that, combined with his velocity, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat for righthanded hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Aquino will likely open 2020 in the rotation at low Class A Burlington. With his power repertoire and competitive nature, he may project more as a reliever in the big leagues.