Born12/08/1982 in San Luis Rio Colorado, SON, Mexico
ProfileHt.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut08/31/2008
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Aceves signed with the Blue Jays in 2001, and they sold his contract to Yucatan of the Mexican League the following April. He pitched six seasons in his native country, posting a 36-24, 4.01 record before Yankees scout Lee Sigman recommended and signed him for $450,000 in January 2008. He rose three levels to the majors in his first season in the United States. Aceves throws a variety of average pitches, starting with an 89-91 mph fastball, a curveball and a slider. His changeup creeps into plus territory and rates as the best in the system. He also attacks lefthanded hitters with a split-finger fastball and cutter. He avoids pitch patterns, stays around the plate and misses down when he misses at all. None of Aceves' pitches grades as plus, limiting his ceiling, and he lacks any future projection. He doesn't have one pitch he can go to for a strikeout and needs a quality defense behind him. Aceves resembles Yankees 2006 first-rounder Ian Kennedy but features more command, pitchability and experience. He has a leg up on Kennedy and Phil Hughes for a rotation spot in New York in 2009.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Changeup in the New York Yankees in 2009
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone