MLB Debut - Fausto Carmona

Or, as some wag called him (probably on teh Yuda Chat) Cleveland's Snoop Dogg d/b/a Fausto Carmona. Or as Baseball America said in 2005: "When the Indians signed Carmona...he was a malnourished stringbean."

Well, he's svelte 6'4" 220 lbs these days and brings the heat. Complimenting his 94mph hard sinking fastball, Carmona delivers a biting slider and features a plus changeup (according to BA; Sickels and McKamey think it's below average, meh). With that great array, you might think Carmona could be added Liriano and Hernandez to form a Holy Trinity of rookie hurlers. What let's him down are average H/IP ratios throughout his Minor League career and mechanics - coaches worry about his whippy action.

Carmona was recalled on 15 April to replace Fernando Cabrera who went on the DL. He started the same day, pitching 6 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks whilst striking out 4. Carmona picked up a "W" as the bullpen preserved the 7-2 victory.

Two more starts followed in April in which Carmona got shelled. The Indians sent him back to Buffalo where he made 4 starts giving up 21 hits and 4 walks in 22.1 innings with 22 Ks. Carmona came back to Cleveland for good on 12 May when they dumped Danny Graves and Felix Heredia.

With the Bob Wickman trade, Carmona is now the de facto Cleveland closer. Donutball is not aware of any imminent rap releases from the 22 year old Dominican hurler.

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