Michael Feliz Stats & Scouting Report

IP	250
ERA	5.292
WHIP	1.4
BB/9	3.924
SO/9	11.808

Full name Michael Feliz
Born 06/28/1993 in Azua, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 05/31/2015

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Houston signed nine players to six-figure bonuses or larger in 2010. Most have never panned out but Feliz, who only signed with Houston for $400,000 after his contract with the A's was voided for a positive steroid test, has made up for the rest of the misses. He made the 2014 Futures Game, was added to the 40-man roster last winter and made it to the majors as a fill-in reliever in 2015. Feliz's combination of exceptional fastball velocity, less-impressive secondary offerings and fringe-average control have long led some scouts to believe his longterm future lies in the bullpen. Feliz can touch 98-99 mph out of the bullpen and he sits 93-94 with his plus fastball as a starter. If he's going to start, Feliz needs to improve the consistency of his slider and changeup. Both flash average or better, though not nearly consistently enough. He rips off a good slider roughly two out of every five times he throws it, the changeup a little less than that, and too many of the poor ones catch the plate. The Astros' starting pitching depth may push Feliz to the bullpen, where he has closer potential, but there's no reason to move him there yet. Feliz has made strides the past two years, especially with his fastball control, but he's far from a finished product.
Feliz originally signed with the Athletics in 2010 for $800,000, but that deal was voided when he tested positive for an anabolic steroid. He then signed with the Astros for half of his initial bonus. Suspended for 50 games in 2010, Feliz made it to the U.S. in 2011 and reached full-season ball for the first time in 2014.The big-bodied Feliz throws a 90-96 mph fastball that sits at 93 with movement. He's got an at-least-average breaking ball (some call it a curve and some call it a slider) that flashes plus with sharp, late break at times, and a still-developing changeup with some bottom to it. Both secondary pitches are inconsistent at this point. Feliz has a fluid delivery that has minimal effort but good deception. He hides the ball and uses a funky leg kick. Feliz showed steady improvement throughout the season. He was sitting 90-93 early in the season but was touching 94-96 regularly later while showing improved feel as well. Evaluators are excited about Feliz, even though he lacks the control and consistency right now to project as more than a mid-rotation arm, but if he commands his fastball and learns to pitch with runners on base, he has a lofty ceiling. He'll move to high Class A Lancaster in 2015.
If not for a positive drug test, Feliz likely would be positioned on the Athletics prospect list right now. He originally signed with Oakland for $800,000 in 2010, but that contract was voided after he tested positive for an anabolic steroid. Feliz then signed with the Astros for half of his initial bonus. Suspended for 50 games in 2010, he made it to the U.S. in 2011 and took a big step forward in 2013 at short-season Tri-City. He gave up just 10 extra-base hits in 69 innings while leading the New York-Penn League ERA title at 1.96. Feliz, like many Astros pitchers, has benefited from the organization's emphasis on athletic deliveries that help develop velocity. He sat at 88-92 mph when he signed, but now he sits 93-96 and touches 98 from a lightning-quick arm. His command sometimes wavers because his arm trails his lower body, but he already has above-average control and doesn't miss the zone much. His slider flashes average to plus, and he can throws it for strikes or bury it. Feliz is a long way from the big leagues, but he has the makings of a three-pitch mix and he's more than ready for low Class A Quad Cities in 2014.

Minor League Top Prospects

Added to the 40-man roster last offseason, Feliz reached Double-A for the first time when he made his Corpus Christi debut on May 26. The big-bodied, 6-foot-4 righty made it to the majors for his next appearances, albeit only briefly when the Astros needed an arm out of the bullpen. Feliz demonstrated significant improvement as a starter this season thanks to better feel for his breaking ball, which has been described as a hard curve and slider by scouts. His changeup has taken a step forward as well, while his fastball velocity remains elite. He touched 97 mph this season, with improved command of his fastball. As a reliever, Feliz bumped 99 mph and that might ultimately be his best role. His mechanics have been smoothed out by Astros pitching guru Brent Strom, leading to more efficient outings. He still needs to learn to work both sides of the plate consistently and do a better job changing speeds would help solidify his chances to be a starter.
Much like Peoria's Alex Reyes, Feliz showed significant improvement from April to August. Feliz's fastball heated up with the weather, once again becoming the 92-97 mph meteorite that wowed New York-Penn League observers last year. Feliz doesn't command his fastball yet, but he does have show an ability to throw it for strikes and he's shown he can throw it down and away against righthanders, which usually is the toughest location for a power pitcher. But Feliz's biggest step forward came with his power breaking ball and changeup. Both are still erratic but he showed much more feel for throwing them as the season developed. His stuff would fit in the bullpen in the near future, but with Feliz's athleticism and frame, the Astros will see if he can develop to be a potential frontline starter.
Feliz initially signed with the Athletics for an $800,000 bonus in February 2010, but the contract was voided after he failed a performance-enhancing drug test. He wound up signing with the Astros that May for $400,000 and serving a 50-game suspension for testing positive for the anabolic steroid Winstrol, but he recovered his prospect status with a stellar showing in the NY-P this summer. Feliz has a loose, athletic frame that one manager likened to Carl Pavano?s. His delivery has minimal effort but good deception, as he hides the ball well behind his back hip and uses a somewhat funky leg kick. His low- to mid-90s fastball has touched 97 mph, and it bores in on righthanded hitters. He also has good feel for a power slider in the 86-88 mph range, which he can throw for a strike or use as a chase pitch. The slider has sharp, late break at times and projects as a solid-average to plus offering. Feliz also can throw a changeup for strikes, but he does not use it as often. He showed excellent control and good command this summer. His combination of stuff, polish, size and arm strength makes him one of the higher-ceiling prospects in the league.

Career Transactions

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders released RHP Michael Feliz.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders placed RHP Michael Feliz on the temporarily inactive list.
RHP Michael Feliz assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from FCL Yankees.
RHP Michael Feliz assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from FCL Yankees.
RHP Michael Feliz assigned to FCL Yankees.
New York Yankees signed free agent RHP Michael Feliz to a minor league contract.
Leones de Yucatan released RHP Michael Feliz.
RHP Michael Feliz and assigned to Leones de Yucatan.