Aroldis Chapman
By the game’s end, he had four pitches clocked at 100 mph or more. He entered the game at the top of the eighth inning to a cheering crowd. The Reds were leading 8-3 over the St. Louis Cardinals. Chapman finished the inning with perfection.
In January, Reds signed him to a $30.25 million, six-year deal including a $16.25 million dollar bonus. Chapman began the season in AAA Louisville to learn control and perfect his pitching technique. The Red’s added him this August, to “unleash” him in the post-season. Chapman said “It’s a big thing for me,” “Being able to come up and pitch not only here, but to pitch for the Reds in the playoffs would be something great for me, to keep going with the team and someday get an opportunity to win it all.”
Chapman was originally a Cuban athlete with superstar status. During the 2009 World Baseball Classic, he defected while at a game in Rotterdam, Netherlands and ultimately made his home in Andorra. This was after his first failed defection that landed him on suspension and a meeting with Cuban President Castro.
Chapman later petitioned Major League Baseball to be granted free agent status. For this once Cuban defector, Chapman is a rags to superstar story.