Eddie Mujica

Eddie Mujica - Right-handed Pitcher
Age: 23 Height: 6'2" Weight: 220 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB9	K9	WHIP
2007 Buffalo/Cle	2	1	5.86	44	0	14	50.7	54	33	7	11	51	1.95	9.05	1.28
Career	18	16	3.77	160	29	53	329.3	317	138	31	82	285	2.24	7.79	1.21

History: Mujica was signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in October 2001. In 2005, he burst onto the scene going 3-1 with 24 saves and a 2.54 in 52 combined relief appearances in Kinston and Akron, and then went 0-0 with 4 saves and a 1.35 ERA in six games for Akron in six appearances in the Eastern League (EL) playoffs for the EL Champion Akron Aeros.

Strengths & Opportunities: In the spring of 2005, the Indians made a role change for Mujica from starting pitcher to reliever that jumpstarted his career. Mujica went from an unknown and struggling pitcher, to one of the better bullpen prospects in the Indians system in just over a year's time. The decision to move him to a bullpen role worked out well as he put up a great year in 2005, and followed it up with an even better year in 2006 by going 4-1 with 13 saves and a 1.57 ERA in 34 combined appearances at Akron and Buffalo.

Mujica features a mid 90s fastball and locates it well, and also has a good mid-to-high 80s slider. With the development of a nasty split-finger fastball a year ago he can be more than just a situational reliever since he now has a pitch in his repertoire to consistently get out left-handed batters. Mujica has excellent physical and mental makeup, and outstanding durability to handle multiple appearances. The Indians love Mujica's fearless approach, and his attitude and competitiveness thrive late in games. He believes there is not a player that is going to beat him, and when he gives up a hit he bears down and goes right after the next hitter. His confidence and short-memory, to go along with his fearless mentality and pitching abilities, make him a natural fit for a backend bullpen role.

Last year, however, Mujica slid back some because he struggled mentally with returning to Buffalo to start the season. He also had trouble handling the callups back and forth from Cleveland to Buffalo which often resulted in long layoffs between appearances. During the season he was working on refining his fastball to get more sink on it and also worked on his split-finger, and at times it hurt him because he is such a strike thrower that he left some pitches out over the plate that were hammered. He will continue to work on developing his split finger to use as a much needed put away pitch in the big leagues.

Outlook: Mujica is a quality bullpen arm the Indians will likely stash in Buffalo again this year. He will battle for a spot in the Indians bullpen this spring, but looks destined to return to Buffalo and continue refining his game and to work on improving his split finger.

Posted in: Eddie Mujica