Joel Peguero Stats & Scouting Report

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Peguero has boyish features and is incredibly raw, but his electric arm has a chance to be special. Signed for $10,000 as an 18-year-old in August 2015, the righthander relieved in the Dominican Summer League in his first professional season and started 2017 in Rookie ball with Princeton, where he was tabbed as the No. 20 prospect in the Appalachian League. Peguero's four-seam fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range, and he shows the potential to throw harder as his body matures. His slurve-like breaking ball has a hard, late break and is unhittable when he throws it correctly, but he tends to slow down his arm when delivering the pitch. He worked on a two-seam fastball during instructional league and made steady progress. His changeup is hard but has shown signs of getting softer. Peguero lacks command due to his inconsistent mechanics, particularly in staying closed with his front side. His shorter stature also causes his pitches to flatten when he doesn't stay on top of the ball. Given the Rays' conservative approach to moving pitchers, he's likely to open the 2018 season at short-season Hudson Valley.

Peguero signed as an older amateur for $10,000. After working mainly as a reliever in the Dominican Summer League in 2016, he joined Princeton as a starter this season. He's sushi-raw and ran up an 8.12 ERA through the season, but Princeton's home park is known to be a hitter's haven. Peguero is one of the Appy League's hardest throwers, consistently sitting 96-98 mph with the possibility of touching 100 regularly with added strength. His 5-foot-11 frame limits the amount of plane he's able to get on his pitches, though. As a result, his fastball has a tendency to come out flat and hittable. Adding to the problem is Peguero's absence of command. The young starter lives in the zone too often rather than working the corners. Peguero's slider at times also flattens out because he tends to decelerate his arm action. When everything is in sync, his slider has sharp break and baffles hitters. His changeup is still in the rudimentary stages. If Peguero is able to repeat his mechanics and learn the finer notes of pitching, he could be a high-leverage reliever.

Erie SeaWolves activated RHP Joel Peguero.
RHP Joel Peguero suspended.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Erie SeaWolves from Toledo Mud Hens.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Rochester Red Wings from Harrisburg Senators.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Rochester Red Wings from Harrisburg Senators.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Harrisburg Senators from Rochester Red Wings.
RHP Joel Peguero assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Joel Peguero to a minor league contract.
RHP Joel Peguero roster status changed by Washington Nationals.