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Yordano Ventura is one of the hottest pitching prospects in baseball. He’s added 5-7 MPH of fastball velocity throughout the past two seasons, and he’s developed impressive command and a strong offspeed arsenal. The young hurler is armed with one of best fastballs in the minor leagues, boasting a running heater that regularly hits 100 MPH. Despite his slight 5’10″ 150 pound build, he throws pure fire, and hitters have fits trying to square-up the baseball when he’s on the mound.
The Royals signed Ventura out of the Dominican Republic in 2008, when he was just seventeen years old. Since then, he’s cleaned up his delivery and has added two solid offspeed pitches. After establishing himself as a top prospect with a strong showing in the Midwest league last year, Ventura took another step forward this Spring. He’s enjoying a breakout season, posting a 3.04 ERA and racking up 85 strikeouts through 68 innings pitched. Not only was he selected to the Carolina League’s Mid-Season All-Star team, but he will also represent the Royals, alongside Wil Myers and Jake Odorizzi, at the Futures Game in July.
BaseballNewsHound.com’s Ryan Kelley collected the (below) footage of Ventura’s June 2nd start with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Facing the Frederick Keyes at home, Ventura out-dueled Orioles’phenom Dylan Bundy for five shut-out innings. He allowed just three hits and racked up six strikeouts en route to his third win of the season.
Yordano Ventura Kansas City Royals Top Pitching Prospect from Ryan S. Kelley on Vimeo.
