Yonny Chirinos

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #23 prospect in 2018
  After entering the 2017 campaign as one of the more unheralded hurlers in the Rays system, Chirinos was tabbed the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 13-5, 2.73 between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. Signed as an 18-year-old for just $10,000 out of Venezuela, Chirinos took a big step in 2015 by pitching at three levels in the minors, and continued his ascent over the last two years. He has learned to trust his stuff by pitching to contact, while pounding the lower half of the strike zone to generate ground balls. He throws four-seam and two-seam fastballs, with the former displaying excellent cutting action. His changeup has solid fade when he throws it correctly, but he can be inconsistent with his feel for the pitch. The biggest improvement has been Chirinos' low-to-mid 80s slider that resembles his fastball before tailing away to righthanded batters. Chirinos is not a power pitcher like many of the organization's top prospects, but he has among the best command in the system. He could compete for a spot in the Rays' rotation as soon as the 2018 season. A swingman role is also a distinct possibility.