Cubs Add Two DSL Arms In Tony Campana Trade

By Ben Badler
February 18, 2013

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The Deal
Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and the rest of the Cubs braintrust have emphasized the organization's need for pitching in its scouting and player-development pipeline. Chicago added two more arms in a trade with the Diamondbacks, acquiring Dominican Summer League righthanders Jesus Castillo and Erick Leal in a deal that shipped speedy outfielder Tony Campana to Arizona.

Campana had been designated for assignment, but due to the unique nature of the 17-year-old righties acquired, we decided to break format and cover the transaction in Trade Central.

Cubs Acquire
Jesus Castillo, rhp
Age: 17. Born: Aug. 27, 1995 in San Feliz, Venezuela.
Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 165.
Bats: R. Throws: R.
Career Transactions: Signed as international free agent by Diamondbacks, Aug. 27, 2011.

Club (League) Class W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
D-Backs (DSL) R
 2
 4
 5.40
 14
 8 0 47
 57
 31
 28
 3
 17
 41
 1.59

Castillo was Arizona's most expensive international amateur signing in 2011, when he signed for $250,000 from Oswaldo Camacho's program on his 16th birthday. With his August birthday, he was one of the youngest signings in 2011 and pitched the entire DSL season at age 16. Castillo is from Valencia but has also lived in Spain. He used to play soccer, and his athleticism is evident in his smooth delivery, which he repeats well for his age. He has a long, loose arm stroke, a long stride and gets good extension out front. He threw in the mid-80s when he signed, but he now touches the low 90s and has a good changeup for his age, though his breaking ball is still a work in progress. Castillo did post a 5.40 ERA last year, but if he were born a week later, he wouldn't have even been eligible to sign until July 2, 2012, so he's an intriguing arm for the Cubs to take a flier on.
 
Erick Leal, rhp
Age: 17. Born: March 17, 1995 in Carabobo, Venezuela.
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 180.
Bats: R. Throws: R.
Career Transactions: Signed as international free agent by Diamondbacks, Sept. 14, 2011.

Club (League) Class W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
D-Backs (DSL) R
 6
 2
 2.44
 14
 12
 0
 70
 58
 26
 19 1
 11
 70 0.99

The Diamondbacks signed a 16-year-old Leal from trainer Robert Valera for $75,000 after the 2011 season, and he made his debut last year in the DSL. When Leal signed, he stood out for his size, delivery, ability to throw strikes and spin a breaking ball. He progressed quickly and in some ways became a different pitcher than scouts had expected. He threw from almost straight over the top when he signed, but he's since dropped down to a lower slot and gotten more life on his fastball, which was 85-88 mph when he signed but now sits around 88-89. Leal's best pitch is his mid-to-high 70s breaking ball, an advanced pitch for his age with a chance to be plus. He didn't have a changeup when he signed, but he's developed feel for that pitch as well, giving him the potential for three average or better pitches if his velocity continues to climb. He pitches inside, moves the ball around the zone and throws plenty of strikes, and he walked just 1.4 batters per nine innings last year. He did start to gain weight a little too quickly at one point, so he will have to stay on top of his conditioning.
 
Diamondbacks Acquire
Tony Campana, of
Age: 26. Bats: L. Remaining Commitment: Under club control for five more seasons, 2013-17 ($483,000 salary in 2012).
Contract details courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts.

Club (League) Year AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB OBP SLG
Chicago (NL) 2012 .264 89
 174
 26
 46
 6
 0
 0 5
 11
 43
 30
 .308 .299
Career Totals
.262 184
 317
 50
 83
 9
 0
 1
 11
 19
 73
 54
 .306 .300
    
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Campana lacks any trace of power, but his speed and glove in center make him a suitable part-timer or reserve. He has swiped 54 bases in 59 attempts in the big leagues and should be able to help another diminutive center fielder, D-backs rookie Adam Eaton, patrol the vast outfields of the National League West. —John Manuel

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