Scouting Report RHP C Monasterios

The 24-year old Monasterios was born in Venezuela and signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 2005, and was then traded to the Phillies in the Bobby Abreu deal in 2006. He was selected in the 2009 Rule 5 draft by the Mets, but then was immediately sold to the Dodgers. He didn't pick up a baseball until he was 17 years old. His minor league numbers are pretty unimpressive; around 6.5 K/9 and 3 W/9, but was highly successful at inducing ground balls (65%). He's pitched in 20 games this year and threw two scoreless innings in April 27th against the Mets.

Monasterios throws a hard sinker that sits in the low 90s which he throws 62% of the time, an average slider (82 mph) and a plus change-up (76 mph). He's added a curve this year that he throws 10% of his pitches (75 mph). He doesn't get many swings and misses (5.2%). He throws 1st pitch fastball 71% of the time, and uses his change-up as a strike out pitch (> 30% with two strikes).

This year he's made 6 starts and is 2-2, and 5.40 ERA, and has allowed 7 home runs in 26 2/3 innings as a starter. He has thrown six innings only once in those six starts, and only gone five innings in three. His highest pitch count has been 86 pitches. Overall his numbers are 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.29 WHIP. He's only getting 4.1 K/9 and 3.1 W/9.

Most project him as a middle reliever, but that would be a useful for this Mets team instead of selling him to the Dodgers...