Noel Arguelles
| IP | 381 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.575 |
| WHIP | 1.619 |
| BB/9 | 4.937 |
| SO/9 | 5.362 |
- Full name Noel A. Arguelles
- Born 01/12/1990 in Guira, Cuba
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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A member of the Cuban 18-and-under national team, Arguelles defected at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton in July 2008. Seventeen months later, he signed a five-year, $6.9 million big league contract with the Royals that included a $3.4 million bonus. They had to wait more than a year to see him in game action, however, because he developed shoulder soreness and needed surgery to repair his labrum. With Arguelles' track record of performing well at major international tournaments, Kansas City sent him straight to high Class A to make his pro debut. He responded well, as his plus command allowed his fringy stuff to play up. Arguelles' fastball sat at 90 mph and peaked at 93 before he got hurt, but he operated at 87-89 in 2011. His best pitch is his average changeup, which he's not afraid to throw in any count. He also has a tick below-average curveball. The Royals kept him on tight pitch counts as he came back from injury, but he was so efficient that they had to scrap plans to have Michael Mariot piggyback behind him because Mariot wasn't getting enough work. If Arguelles returns to pre-injury form, he could be a No. 3 or 4 starter. If not, his feel for pitching still could get him to the big leagues in a lesser role. He'll head to Double-A in 2012.
