Left off Chicago's 40-man roster following a disappointing 2011 season, Rienzo didn't endear himself to the club when he got hit with a 50-game suspension in April for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Once he returned, he pitched well in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Brazil tabbed him to pitch for its World Baseball Classic team, and he could be the first pitcher from his nation to reach the majors. Rienzo's fastball usually sits it the low 90s and touches 95 mph, running in on lefthanders. Improved secondary pitches helped him hold opponents to a .206 average in 2012. He throws his overhand curveball in the upper 70s, getting swings and misses. He has started to use his low-80s cutter more often, and it too has been effective. Rienzo hasn't added much size or strength since signing, and his ultra-thin build doesn't fit the profile of a big league starter. Neither does his lack of command or an effective changeup. Rienzo is knocking on the door of the big leagues. His work in Triple-A in 2013 will determine whether he arrives as a starter or reliever. His most realistic ceiling is as a set-up man, but he also could be a No. 4 starter.
The White Sox remain intrigued by Rienzo's arm strength, though they didn't see as much improvement as they hoped for last season in his secondary pitches. Chicago opted not to add him to its 40-man roster, and was relieved when other teams decided he was too raw to select in the Rule 5 draft. Rienzo has overpowered lower-level hitters with his fastball, which sits in the low 90s and rarely straightens out. He has better command than his 66 walks in 116 innings last year would indicate. He had trouble finding the strike zone because the White Sox insisted he throw more curveballs and sliders. He still hasn't found a go-to breaking pitch, generally throwing slurves that break early and don't fool hitters. He sometimes telegraphs his changeup, which would be more effective if he could take something off it and throw it in the high 70s rather than the low 80s. Rienzo will move up to Double-A and needs to make strides rounding out his repertoire in 2012.
An organization lacking pitching depth found a young arm to fall in love with when Rienzo used his raw stuff to dominate low Class A hitters in the second half of 2010. He was especially locked in late in the season, holding opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last 10 starts, including a 10-strikeout, no-walk game against Asheville. Rienzo throws his 88-92 mph fastball with good angle, and his curveball has sharp downward break when it's on. His changeup needs work but could become an average pitch. He's athletic but has a long arm action and rushes his delivery, which hurts his command and consistency. He does show a knack for throwing strikes. Because he started the 2010 season conditioned to be a reliever, the White Sox held down his innings. They hope to get him to about 150 innings in 2011, when he'll pitch in high Class A.
Scouting Reports
Background: Left off Chicago's 40-man roster following a disappointing 2011 season, Rienzo didn't endear himself to the club when he got hit with a 50-game suspension in April for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Once he returned, he pitched well in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Brazil tabbed him to pitch for its World Baseball Classic team, and he could be the first pitcher from his nation to reach the majors.
Scouting Report: Rienzo's fastball usually sits it the low 90s and touches 95, running in on lefthanders. But it was his improved secondary pitches that helped him hold opponents to a .206 average in 2012. He throws his overhand curveball in the upper 70s, getting swings and misses. He has started to use his low-80s cutter more often, and it too has been effective. Rienzo hasn't added much size or strength since signing, and his ultra-thin build doesn't fit the profile of a big league starter. Neither does his lack of command or an effective changeup.
The Future: Rienzo is knocking on the door of the big leagues. His work in Triple-A in 2013 will determine whether he arrives as a starter or reliever. His most realistic ceiling is as a set-up man, but he also could be a No. 4 starter.
Career Transactions
Leones de Yucatan placed RHP André Rienzo on the reserve list.
Leones de Yucatan signed free agent RHP André Rienzo.
Tecos de los Dos Laredos released RHP André Rienzo.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Brazil.
Brazil activated RHP André Rienzo.
RHP Andre Rienzo and assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
RHP Andre Rienzo and assigned to Brazil.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
Acereros del Norte traded RHP Andre Rienzo and 2B Jesus Arredondo to Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos for RHP Jorge Reyes.
Yaquis de Obregon activated RHP Andre Rienzo.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
Acereros del Norte placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the reserve list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Acereros del Norte.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Acereros del Norte.
Acereros del Norte placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Acereros del Norte.
RHP Andre Rienzo elected free agency.
El Paso Chihuahuas activated RHP Andre Rienzo from the 7-day disabled list.
El Paso Chihuahuas placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Andre Rienzo to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
New Orleans Zephyrs released RHP Andre Rienzo.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to New Orleans Zephyrs from Jacksonville Suns.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Jacksonville Suns from Jupiter Hammerheads.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads from New Orleans Zephyrs.
New Orleans Zephyrs sent RHP Andre Rienzo on a rehab assignment to GCL Marlins.
New Orleans Zephyrs placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Miami Marlins.
Miami Marlins designated Andre Rienzo for assignment.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Andre Rienzo outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins activated RHP Andre Rienzo from the 15-day disabled list.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Andre Rienzo on a rehab assignment to GCL Marlins.
Miami Marlins placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 4, 2015. Left knee laceration
Miami Marlins recalled RHP Andre Rienzo from New Orleans Zephyrs.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Pacific Coast League All-Stars.
Miami Marlins optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins recalled Andre Rienzo from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins traded LHP Dan Jennings to Chicago White Sox for RHP Andre Rienzo.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Chicago White Sox recalled RHP Andre Rienzo from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox recalled Andre Rienzo from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox recalled Andre Rienzo from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox recalled Andre Rienzo from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to Charlotte Knights.
Andre Rienzo roster status changed by Charlotte Knights.
Charlotte Knights placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the temporarily inactive list.
Chicago White Sox selected the contract of Andre Rienzo from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to Charlotte Knights.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Tiburones de La Guaira.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Brazil.
Andre Rienzo assigned to Charlotte Knights from Birmingham Barons.
Andre Rienzo roster status changed by Birmingham Barons.
Birmingham Barons placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 21, 2012.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Birmingham Barons from Winston-Salem Dash.
Andre Rienzo roster status changed by Winston-Salem Dash.
Andre Rienzo roster status changed by Winston-Salem Dash.
Winston-Salem Dash activated RHP Andre Rienzo from the 7-day disabled list.
Winston-Salem Dash placed RHP Andre Rienzo on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Andre Rienzo assigned to Winston-Salem Dash from Kannapolis Intimidators.
Andre Rienzo assigned to Kannapolis Intimidators from Bristol White Sox.
Bristol White Sox signed free agent Andre Rienzo.
RHP Andre Rienzo elected free agency.
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