Yordano Ventura

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This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Ventura and the second or maternal family name is Hernandez.
Yordano Ventura
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Ventura pitching for the Kansas City Royals in 2015
Kansas City Royals – No. 30
Starting pitcher
Born: (1991-06-03) June 3, 1991 (age 32)
Samaná, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 17, 2013, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through May 8, 2016)
Win–loss record 29–21
Earned run average 3.69
WHIP 1.32
Strikeouts 351
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Yordano Ventura Hernández (born June 3, 1991) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was twice named to the All-Star Futures Game. Ventura made his MLB debut on September 17, 2013. Known as a 'power pitcher', his fastball has been much valued by the Royals for the past few years. In 2014, Ventura made the news when his 96.2 mph average fastball velocity (96.4 for two-seamers) ranked second-best in the whole of MLB among starters, putting him just behind Garrett Richards.[1]

Professional career

Minor Leagues

Ventura signed with the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent in 2008, receiving a $28,000 signing bonus.[2] He began the 2012 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, and was named to appear in both the Carolina-California League All-Star Game and the All-Star Futures Game. He was promoted to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League later that season.[3]

The Royals invited Ventura to spring training for 2013.[4] Ventura began the 2013 season with Northwest Arkansas, but received a promotion to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL) in June, after he pitched to a 2.34 earned run average (ERA) and 74 strikeouts in ​57 2⁄3 innings pitched with the Naturals.[5] He was again named to the World Team's roster for the All-Star Futures Game.[6]

Kansas City Royals

2013 season

The Royals promoted Ventura to the major leagues to make his debut on September 17, 2013, following the Storm Chasers' victory in the PCL championship series. He pitched for the Royals instead of pitching for the Storm Chasers in the Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game against the Durham Bulls of the International League.[7] In three starts for the Royals, Ventura pitched to a 3.52 ERA.[8]

2014 season

During spring training in 2014, Ventura won the final spot in the Royals' starting rotation over Danny Duffy.[8] During the regular season of 2014, Ventura went 14–10 with a 3.20 ERA.[9] He started the second game of the playoff series between the Royals and Angels on October 3, 2014, pitching seven innings and giving up one run, in a game the Royals won 4–1 over the Angels.[10] In Game 2 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants Ventura allowed two runs in a 7–2 win for the Royals. In Game 6, with the team down in the series 3–2, Ventura threw seven shutout innings in a 10–0 victory, forcing a Game 7. Prior to the game, Ventura had dedicated his performance to his friend and fellow countryman Oscar Taveras who was killed in a car accident on October 26. Ventura pitched the game with the message "RIP O.T #18" written on his hat.

2015 season

Ventura signed a five-year, $23 million contract with the Royals before the 2015 season.[11] Named the Royals' 2015 Opening Day starting pitcher, he started against the Chicago White Sox on April 6, 2015, where he pitched six innings until leaving the game with a right thumb cramp. He got plenty of support as the Royals won 10–1 over the White Sox.[12] During a game against the Oakland Athletics on April 18, 2015, Ventura was ejected for the first time in his MLB career after intentionally hitting Brett Lawrie with a pitch.[13] On April 22, Ventura was fined an undisclosed amount and was not suspended for any games.[14] The next day, Ventura exchanged words with White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton that Ventura was thought to have instigated as he fielded Eaton's ground ball, which initiated a bench-clearing brawl between the two teams. Five total players, including Ventura, were ejected. On April 25, 2015, Ventura was suspended 7 games.[15] He had the option to appeal but dropped it on April 30, 2015 so the suspension would take effect.[16]

Ventura pitched to a 5.19 ERA before the Royals optioned him to Omaha on July 21.[17] Jason Vargas, his replacement in the starting rotation, injured his elbow that night, and Ventura was recalled the next day.[18] However, his season began to turn for the positive after the team acquired Johnny Cueto at the MLB Trade Deadline. Since August 11, 2015, Ventura has posted a 1.13 ERA, with 43 strikeouts.[19]

Scouting report

Ventura can throw a fastball topping out at 102 mph. His repertoire of pitches also includes a curveball, and a change-up.[20]

As stated before, Ventura's 96.2 mph average fastball velocity (96.4 for two-seamers) brought him the coveted slot of being ranked second-best in the whole of MLB among starters in 2014.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://wallstcheatsheet.com/sports/8-mlb-pitchers-throwing-100-mph-or-faster-in-2014.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3MacECC3m
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ ESPN statistics on Yordano Ventura
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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