Jayson Aquino

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #30 prospect in 2017
  Originally signed by the Rockies out of the Dominican Republic in July 2009, Aquino has been a member of six organizations since spring training 2015. The final transaction occurred when the Orioles purchased him from the Cardinals in April 2016 and assigned him to Double-A Bowie. Aquino throws a fastball, a breaking ball with slurve action and a solid changeup. He pitches at 88-93 mph and sits mostly at 89 with average control. He has a loose delivery and good feel for pitching, and he varies the speed on his fastball and above-average changeup. He relies on his changeup as his swing-and-miss pitch. Aquino often pitches backwards and has a strong groundball rate. He went deep into starts at Bowie and one scout said he had a knack for both reading bats and getting out of jams. He projects as a possible No. 5 starter, and he made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2016, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings. He could push for a larger share of innings in 2017 or possibly 2018 as he serves as depth at Triple-A Norfolk.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #25 prospect in 2015
  Aquino spent the bulk of 2014 at high Class A Modesto before making his final two starts at Double-A Tulsa. A major challenge has been to throw his fastball more and not be overly reliant on his well above-average changeup. He improved in 2014, but more because of an organization mandate rather than making the adjustment himself. He touches 92 mph and pitches at 88-89 with his fastball that has run but not much sink. Aquino still needs to be able to command his fastball in to righthanders. His changeup is typically 10 mph slower than his fastball, has a little run and is his best pitch. But with runners on base, he falls into a pattern of throwing changeup after changeup. His 11-to-5 curveball is a tick above-average, but the pitch suffers because he tends to drift in his delivery. Aquino should return to Double-A to open 2015.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #28 prospect in 2014
  Aquino, who signed for $175,000 in 2009, pitched well in 2010-11 in the Dominican Summer League. The Rockies sent him back to the DSL in 2012 after he reported to spring training overweight. He made it to Rookie-level Grand Junction in August 2012 and pitched well, but 2013 was a difficult year for Aquino--and not just because he went winless in 10 decisions, most of them at low Class A Asheville. He can touch 92 mph with his fastball and pitches at 88-89, but he doesn't throw it often enough or command it, particularly to his glove side. When he throws fastball strikes, it's to his arm side, though there the pitch tends to run off the plate. Aquino has a well above-average changeup that he throws too often and a sharp curveball that is a solid-average pitch. He's too emotional and must learn to ignore umpires' calls that he disagrees with, and he also needs to develop better tempo in his delivery. He doesn't field his position or hold runners well. Added to the 40-man roster after the season, Aquino is scheduled for a return to Asheville in 2014.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2013
  After two years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, Aquino came to his first minor league spring training in 2012. He looked too heavy, his work ethic and intensity were lacking and he didn't pitch well, so the Rockies sent him back to the DSL. He got the message, dominated the DSL and pitched well when he came to Rookie-level Grand Junction in August. Aquino used to show fear on the mound, but he was a different pitcher in the Pioneer League. His 88-89 mph fastball is a good pitch that he can locate well to his glove side, but he needs to throw it more. He tops out at 91 mph and could gain velocity because he's young and getting stronger. His curveball and changeup both show the potential to become plus pitches. Because he's so adept at throwing his curve and changeup for strikes, Aquino uses them too often. As he gains experience, he should have above-average command of all three pitches. Aquino profiles as a No. 4 starter, and he could be more if his velocity improves. He'll get his first full-season assignment to low Class A in 2013.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #26 prospect in 2012
  Aquino has dominated the Dominican Summer League in his two years in pro ball, leading the circuit with two shutouts and a 0.71 WHIP in 2010 and ranking third in ERA in both seasons. He was the only players from the Rockies' 2011 DSL team to be invited to instructional league. He has a lean, projectable body and the chance to have a quality three-pitch mix in the future. Aquino already pitches at 88-91 mph with his fastball, touches 92 and throws it for strikes. He worked a lot on his curveball in instructional league. While he doesn't have feel for his curve yet, his ability to spin the ball bodes well for its future. He has good arm speed and decent action on his changeup, even if it's still very inconsistent. Aquino has the potential to become a No. 3 starter but is years from reaching it. He'll make his U.S. debut in 2012, participating in extended spring training before heading to Colorado's new Pioneer League affiliate in Grand Junction.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #17 prospect in 2012
  Aquino opened the summer with his third stint in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League and didn't join Grand Junction until August. Once there, he made his present felt by winning four of his seven starts and improving his pro record to 22-6, 1.39. Aquino's fastball regularly sits in the 89-91 range, but he could develop consistent low-90s velocity once he develops physically. His best pitch now is his plus changeup, which also helps his fastball play up, and his inconsistent curveball has the potential to become an average pitch. He has very good control for his age and a mindset of attacking the strike zone.

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Aquino spent the bulk of 2014 at high Class A Modesto before making his final two starts at Double-A Tulsa. A major challenge has been to throw his fastball more and not be overly reliant on his well above-average changeup. He improved in 2014, but more because of an organization mandate rather than making the adjustment himself. He touches 92 mph and pitches at 88-89 with his fastball that has run but not much sink. Aquino still needs to be able to command his fastball in to righthanders. His changeup is typically 10 mph slower than his fastball, has a little run and is his best pitch. But with runners on base, he falls into a pattern of throwing changeup after changeup. His 11-to-5 curveball is a tick above-average, but the pitch suffers because he tends to drift in his delivery. Aquino should return to Double-A to open 2015.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: After two years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, Aquino came to his first minor league spring training in 2012. He looked too heavy, his work ethic and intensity were lacking and he didn't pitch well, so the Rockies sent him back to the DSL. He got the message, dominated the DSL and pitched well when he came to Rookie-level Grand Junction in August. Among Pioneer League pitchers with 40 innings, Aquino had the lowest ERA. Scouting Report: Aquino used to show fear on the mound, but he was a different pitcher in the Pioneer League. His 88-89 mph fastball is a good pitch that he can locate well to his glove side, but he needs to throw it more. He tops out at 91 mph and could gain velocity because he's young and getting stronger. His curveball and changeup both show the potential to become plus pitches. Because he's so adept at throwing his curve and changeup for strikes, Aquino uses them too often. As he gains experience, he should have above-average command of all three pitches. The Future: Aquino profiles as a No. 4 starter, and he could be more if his velocity improves. He'll get his first full-season assignment to low Class A in 2013.