Arodys Vizcaíno

Arodys Vizcaíno

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut August 10, 2011
• Final Game June 13, 2022
• Born November 13, 1990 in Yaguate, San Cristobal D.R.

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Biographical Information

Arodys Vizcaíno was signed by scout Alfredo Dominguez for $800,000 in 2007. He made his pro debut for the GCL Yankees in 2008. After the 2009 season, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves as part of a deal that also saw OF Melky Cabrera and P Mike Dunn leave the Big Apple for Atlanta, and Ps Boone Logan and Javier Vazquez head the other way. Vizcaino began to impress in the Braves' system, going 9-4, 2.39 in 14 starts with the Rome Braves in 2010. He made a quick climb to the majors in 2011 after starting the year in Class A with the Lynchburg Hillcats; he also made stops in AA with the Mississippi Braves and AAA with the Gwinnett Braves, putting up a combined record of 5-5, 3.06 in 26 games, including 17 starts. In 97 innings, he struck out an even 100, while giving up only 82 hits and 28 walks. He had what was described as the best fastball in the organization and on August 10th, got to make his big league debut in a relief outing against the Florida Marlins. He ended up pitching regularly out of the Braves' bullpen for the remainder of the season, logging 17 appearances, all in relief, with 1-1 record and a 4.67 ERA. He struck out 17 and walked 9 in 17 1/3 innings.

However, things went crashing down after that promising debut, as Arodys had to undergo Tommy John surgery early in 2012 and missed all of that season and all of 2013 as well. In spite of his lack of activity, he continued to be considered a top prospect - he made the Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus top 100 prospects list for four consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2013, and on July 23, 2012, was included in a trade to the Chicago Cubs alongside Jaye Chapman in return for veterans P Paul Maholm and OF Reed Johnson. He finally returned to the mound in 2014, playing 40 games between the Class A Daytona Cubs, the AA Tennessee Smokies and the AAA Iowa Cubs. His combined record was 1-1, 3.51 with 2 saves in 41 innings, all in relief. He made his return to the majors on September 6th and pitched 5 times, with no record and a 5.40 ERA in 5 innings. On November 16th, the Braves re-acquired him, giving up 2B Tommy La Stella in the deal.

The start of his 2015 season was delayed as he was handed an 80-game suspension for testing positive for the steroid stanozolol. he was limited to 36 games, but he was outstanding after his record, going 3-1, 1.60 with 9 saves. In 2016, he pitched just 38 2/3 innings in 43 games, and was not at as dominant, finishing at 1-4, 4.42 with 10 saves. He missed time with an injury and pitched a couple of games in the minors on a rehabilitation assignment. Things went much better for him in 2017, as he finished the year at 5-3, 2.83 with 14 saves in 62 games. He again pitched less than inning per appearance on average, but struck out 64 batters while walking 21. He followed that with another solid season in 2018 when the Braves won a division title for the first time since 2013. As one of a number of pitchers who were asked to close games by manager Brian Snitker, he picked up 16 saves, but also was often used as a LOOGY, with only 38 1/3 innings of work in 39 outings. His record was 2-2, 2.11. He played in the postseason for the first time, making a couple of appearances in Atlanta's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series. In 2019, he was the Braves' nominal closer at the start of the season, but had only picked up 1 save (and 1 win) in 4 outings when he went on the injured list in early April. It was then determined he would need surgery to remove scar tissue in his right shoulder, putting him out of action for the remainder of the season. While injured, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners on May 20th alongside Jesse Biddle in return for Anthony Swarzak.

He then missed all of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the first because he was still injured, and the second after having been signed as a free agent by the New York Mets. He did pitch 7 times for the AAA Syracuse Mets with no decisions and a 2.35 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. On January 13, 2022, he signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.

Related Sites

• Arodys Vizcaíno on mlb.com