Capital right-hander Rogelio Armenteros will pitch in the Dominican Winter League with the Cibao Giants, as confirmed by the team's official Twitter page. The 24-year-old pitcher should have made his Major League debut this September when rosters expanded to 40 players per team.
The Houston franchise probably does not see the Cuban in its future plans. That is why they now let him go to the Dominican Republic and pitch for the Giants after being chosen as Pitcher of the Year in Triple-A, with the Fresno Grizzlies.
His 8-1 record, 3.74 ERA solidifies the theory that he has already surpassed the Triple-A level. Armenteros finished 5th among the most strikeouts (134) and opponents hit .237 against him.
It is still unknown if the Astros will protect Armenteros in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft in December, where franchises select players with more than four seasons in the minors and who are not protected on the 40-man roster.
He will be eligible and as the player himself confirms to me, Houston has placed a limitation of 25 innings in the Dominican Republic, at most six starts. Perhaps in this last measure there remains a trace of skepticism. My theory is that the Astros will make a great effort to protect him without him leaving for a new team.
If they choose not to place him on the 40-man roster, Armenteros, who emigrated in 2012 and signed a contract for $40,000, will be chosen first in this December Draft and will debut in 2019 with another organization in the Major Leagues.
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