Hector Rondon

Hector Rondon - Right-handed Pitcher
Age: 20 Height: 6'3" Weight: 165 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB9	K9	WHIP
2007 Lake County	7	10	4.37	27	27	0	136.0	143	66	13	27	113	1.79	7.48	1.25
Career	13	17	3.83	53	50	1	254.0	265	108	21	38	200	1.35	7.09	1.19

History: Rondon was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in August of 2004. In 2005, Rondon went 3-3 with a 1.65 ERA in 15 games (12 starts) with the Indians Dominican Summer League team. Last year, Rondon took part in one of two Lake County no-hitters on the year, throwing six no-hit innings while striking out five and combining with two other pitchers to throw a no-hitter in early July. He was named a mid-season South Atlantic League (SAL) All Star, and finished the year tied for 5th in the SAL for games started and 11th in WHIP.

Strengths & Opportunities: Rondon is a young and projectable starting pitcher with a fastball with average life that consistently clocks in at 89-90 MPH and has topped out as high as 94 MPH. He also throws a curveball and changeup, with the potential in the future to be an average breaking ball and straight changeup. By the end of the season, his breaking ball showed improvement, his changeup had become a very good weapon for him, and his fastball velocity increased by seasons end.

At 6'3" and 165 pounds, Rondon is long and lanky and has plenty of projection still with his body. He has shown the ability to mix up his pitches well, and showed plus control with the ability to throw strikes and locate his pitches well to both sides of the plate. He is a competitor on the mound and very aggressive with his fastball where he likes to challenge hitters. He often gets himself into good counts, and as the year wore on last season he became more consistent with making his pitches and gradually got stronger. He has a good plan when he takes the mound, sticks with it, and shows good tempo. He showed good durability as he made every start on the year and did not wear down. He shows a very good work ethic.

Rondon showed problems working out of the stretch last year, and when men were on base he struggled to get hitters out. He needs to work on getting stronger out of the stretch, and also repeating his delivery so he can create more deception. Overall, he needs to continue putting on good weight so his body can handle the heavy workload as a starting pitcher.

Outlook: Rondon grew a lot as a pitcher over the course of last season, and he has a good ceiling. He is part of a young Latin Trifecta which also includes Kelvin De La Cruz and Jeanmar Gomez that has the Indians excited. Rondon should open the season in the Kinston starting rotation.

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