Domingo Tapia

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #19 prospect in 2014
  Because he's 6-foot-4 and tops out at 98 mph with plus sinking life, Tapia could have a higher ceiling than any prospect outside the top 10. However, he struggled badly with his command in 2013, finishing with 5.6 walks per nine innings and a career-worst SO/BB ratio (1.4). Tapia tended to speed up his mechanics and miss up and away, and as the walks piled up he tried to throw harder to escape jams. Add to that the fact that 24 of 30 basestealers succeeded on their attempts and Tapia frequently lost focus and confidence. On the positive side, he pitches at 93-95 mph with long, loose arms, and his high-80s slider also showed more power and depth than it had in the past, while his changeup continued to be a reliable No. 2 offering. Many scouts see Tapia's future in the bullpen, and they saw no reason to alter that evaluation in 2013.
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  Ranked New York Mets #9 prospect in 2013
  Signed in February 2009, Tapia got a late start to his career while sorting through a visa issue. He first attracted attention when he flashed triple-digit velocity in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League during his 2010 pro debut. He showed as much arm strength as any pitcher in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2012, and for the first time his strikeout rate (8.4 per nine innings) matched his radar-gun readings. Tapia's fastball sits at 95 mph, tops out at 98 and features armside run and sink that completely ties up righthanders, who hit just .204/.279/.283 against him last season. He loves to throw his fastball, but he also has confidence in a high-80s sinking changeup that could be a consistent plus pitch in time. Because of his low three-quarters arm slot, Tapia struggles to stay on top of his low-80s slider. It's typically a below-average pitch that spins rather than bites though the strike zone. His long arm action doesn't prevent him from throwing strikes, but it does make him slow to the plate and vulnerable to basestealers. Scouts love Tapia's arm strength and 6-foot-4 physique, but unless he refines his slider, he may profile better as a late-inning reliever than as a starter. He'll continue gaining innings and experience in the St. Lucie rotation in 2013.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #17 prospect in 2012
  Tapia signed in February 2009 but didn't enter pro ball until the following season, which he began in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League until resolving a visa issue. His fastball topped out at 96 mph in his debut and touched triple digits on multiple occasions in 2011, showing true plus-plus velocity and heavy life. Tapia pitches at 96-98 mph and locates his heater on both sides of the plate. His fringy changeup shows occasional fade but improved throughout the season. His loopy curveball has farther to go, but he can spin the ball when he stays on top of it. Tall and lean, Tapia has room to fill out. He shows strong control for a hard-throwing teenager, though he doesn't induce as many swings and misses as one would expect from his radar-gun readings. The development of a second quality pitch would make Tapia one of New York's best prospects, and without it he probably fits best as a groundball-oriented reliever. He's ready for low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #18 prospect in 2012
  Tapia had as much pure arm strength as anyone in the league. He repeatedly throws his fastball at 95-98 mph, working both sides of the plate and occasionally featuring good sink. Tapia worked diligently to improve the quality of his curveball and changeup, having more success with the latter. He throws strikes but is extremely slow to the plate, allowing SAL basestealers to succeed in 15 of 17 attempts. Some scouts believe he'll wind up in the bullpen, possibly as a closer in the mold of Armando Benitez. "He's been up to 99 with some sink," Rojas said. "He has a big league arm. He's developing his changeup, and he improved it to the point that he has two plus pitches now. As he gains strength and experience, he's going to have a bright future."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Signed in February 2009, Tapia got a late start to his career while sorting through a visa issue. He first attracted attention when he flashed triple-digit velocity in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League during his 2010 pro debut. He showed as much arm strength as any pitcher in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2012, and for the first time his strikeout rate (8.4 per nine innings) matched his radar-gun readings. Scouting Report: Tapia's fastball sits at 95 mph, tops out at 98 and features armside run and sink that completely ties up righthanders, who hit just .204/.279/.283 against him last season. He loves to throw his fastball, but he also has confidence in a high-80s sinking changeup that could be a consistent plus pitch in time. Because of his low three-quarters arm slot, Tapia struggles to stay on top of his low-80s slider. It's mostly a below-average pitch that spins rather than bites though the strike zone. His long arm action doesn't prevent him from throwing strikes, but it does make him slow to the plate and vulnerable to basestealers. The Future: Scouts love Tapia's arm strength and 6-foot-4 physique, but unless he refines his slider, he may profile better as a late-inning reliever than as a starter. He'll continue gaining innings and experience in the St. Lucie rotation in 2013.