Elvis Araujo Stats & Scouting Report

IP	19.1
ERA	2.79
WHIP	.98
BB/9	1.86
SO/9	3.72

Full name Elvis Alejandro Araujo
Born 07/15/1991 in Maracaibo, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 275 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Debut 05/05/2015

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

When the Indians signed Araujo for $125,000 on his 16th birthday in 2007, their scouts saw a long-limbed lefthander oozing projection. Yet after a promising 2008 pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, he didn't pitch in a game for another two years. He had Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2009 season, followed by a setback in his recovery that prevented him from taking the mound in 2010. When he returned in 2011, his fastball jumped to as high as 98 mph. Araujo's heater still sits around 90-94 mph with heavy life. The rest of his game is still raw, however. He throws a slider that's average at times and sweepy at others. He doesn't have much of a changeup yet. Araujo's arm action is long and he has trouble repeating an unorthodox delivery, which is why he doesn't throw enough strikes. The Indians didn't protect Araujo on the 40-man roster, but he didn't get picked in the Rule 5 draft. Throwing a career-high 135 innings in 2012 was a big step for Araujo, but he is likely to end up a reliever. For now, Araujo will remain in the rotation and advance to high Class A.
Araujo was a long, lanky Venezuelan lefty with a quick arm when he signed with the Indians for $125,000 on his 16th birthday in 2007. He always has had breakout potential because of his projectable body and arm strength. Instead of watching a breakout, however, the Indians' main goal has been to just keep him healthy for a full season. He had Tommy John surgery after his 2008 pro debut that cost him the entire 2009 season, and a setback in his recovery nuked his 2010 campaign as well. He returned to the mound in 2011, flashing the potential Cleveland saw when it first started scouting him. Araujo has gained velocity on his fastball, sitting at 92-94 mph and peaking at 98. His command and secondary pitches both need a lot of work. He shows some feel to spin a mid-80s power slider, which is occasionally above average but needs to get more consistent. His changeup shows flashes but is most often a below-average pitch. Araujo's arm slot wanders from three-quarters to high three-quarters, which costs him command of all his pitches, and he has a tendency to overthrow. He'll remain a starter for now, but because he's been fragile he could end up in a bullpen role down the road. He should make his full-season debut in low Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

Araujo made his pro debut as a 16-year-old in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League in 2008, then missed the next two seasons following Tommy John surgery. Finally back on the mound this year, he led the AZL with nine victories and a .228 opponent average. Araujo's fastball reaches as high as 98 mph but he typically works from 92-94. There's still some physical projection in his body, so he could add more velocity. He commands both of his secondary pitches, a slider with wipeout potential and a changeup that lacks consistency. His arm slot varies from three-quarters to high three-quarters and he tends to overthrow at times, but those flaws can be corrected with experience. Araujo will remain a starter for now but also could fill the role of a power reliever at the back end of a bullpen. He was the best of the league-high five prospects the Indians placed on this list.