Born06/13/1985 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'1" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut08/28/2009
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Strop originally signed with the Rockies as a shortstop, but they moved him to the mound after he hit just .212 with 231 strikeouts in 221 games over four pro seasons. He averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings in his first full year as a pitcher at high Class A Modesto in 2007, though his season was cut short by elbow tendinitis. His violent delivery puts stress on his arm, and he was limited to just seven innings in 2008 because of a stress fracture in his elbow. The Rockies designated him for assignment that fall, and the Rangers signed him to a minor league deal. He had a rough April in Triple-A last year, so Texas sent him down to Frisco to work on throwing more strikes. He improved each month and eventually earned a late-season cup of coffee in the majors, where four of his seven one-inning outings were perfect. Strop's three-pitch arsenal is explosive. His fastball sits at 94-96 mph and touches 98. He has developed an 87-mph splitter that can be unhittable when it's on, and he throws a power slider in the mid-80s. Strop is a gifted athlete who fields his position well. He still needs to fine-tune his command, and his mechanics make him an injury risk and make it more difficult for him to throw strikes, but his progress in 2009 was encouraging. He'll compete for a big league bullpen job this spring.
Signed as a shortstop, Strop hit .212 with 231 strikeouts in 221 games in his first four pro seasons, playing just four games above the short-season level. Noting his live arm, the Rockies moved him to the mound prior to the 2006 season. After successfully sneaking him through the Rule 5 draft that year, they protected him on their 40-man roster after the 2007 season. Having pitched just 81 pro innings, Strop has a fresh arm that delivers power stuff. His fastball ranges from 92-96 mph, while his slider runs from 85-88 mph. He can make hitters look silly with his splitter, giving him three swing-and-miss pitches. He has adapted quickly to the nuances of pitching, most likely because of the feel for the game he showed at shortstop, and remains an elite fielder. Strop needs to polish his mechanics and throw more strikes. He'll open up too soon and also cock his arm like a catcher and use a dart-throwing motion. He has made some adjustments to lengthen his delivery. He's still learning to keep his emotions in check. Strop figures to start 2008 in Double-A and can reach Colorado later in the year. Along with Manny Corpas and Casey Weathers, he gives the Rockies three strong closer options for the future.
Originally signed as a shortstop for $50,000, Strop (pronounced Strope) batted just .236 in 753 at-bats and never made it above low Class A in four years. The Rockies finally tired of his struggles with the bat before last season, converting him to the mound. When they left him off their 40-man roster this offseason, several clubs targeted Strop in the major league Rule 5 draft because of his power arm, but there were no takers based on his limited pitching experience. He produces easy velocity with a quick arm action, dialing his fastball up to 93-95 mph with good late life. He also flashes a plus slider, though he doesn't command it consistently. His slider sits in the low 80s, and he needs to stay on top of it more to maintain its tilt and depth. Strop's mechanics are still somewhat raw, but the Rockies consider the flaws in his delivery to be correctable. He won't be rushed and will open 2007 in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
The Rockies grew tired of Strop's struggles with the bat, and after he hit .212/.277/.299 in four seasons as an infielder, they decided a career change was in order. They moved him to the mound this year, and he immediately took to pitching. He dominated the Pioneer League in 11 appearances and continued to impress after a promotion to low Class A. As with many converted position players, arm strength is Strop's forte. He threw 93-95 mph in spring training and has good control of his fastball, though he leans too heavily on the pitch. He also has a low-80s slider but must stay on top of it more often so it doesn't flatten out, making him vulnerable to home runs. "I'd try to start him next year to add some pitchability to his plus stuff," Kotchman said. "If not, you know you have a solid reliever."
Best Tools List
Rated Best Slider in the Colorado Rockies in 2008
Rated Best Fastball in the California League in 2007
Career Transactions
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
Toros de Tijuana signed free agent RHP Pedro Strop.
Kingdom of the Netherlands activated RHP Pedro Strop.
Kingdom of the Netherlands activated RHP Pedro Strop.
Leones del Escogido activated RHP Pedro Strop.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Sultanes de Monterrey released RHP Pedro Strop.
RHP Pedro Strop and assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Sultanes de Monterrey signed free agent RHP Pedro Strop.
RHP Pedro Strop elected free agency.
RHP Pedro Strop returned to Cubs Alternate Training Site from Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of P Pedro Strop from Cubs Alternate Training Site.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of RHP Pedro Strop.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of P Pedro Strop.
P Pedro Strop assigned to Chicago Cubs .
P Pedro Strop assigned to Chicago Cubs .
Chicago Cubs signed free agent P Pedro Strop.
P Pedro Strop assigned to Iowa Cubs .
RHP Pedro Strop elected free agency.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Iowa Cubs from Cubs Alternate Training Site.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Cubs Alternate Training Site.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Pedro Strop to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Cincinnati Reds released RHP Pedro Strop.
Cincinnati Reds activated RHP Pedro Strop from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds designated RHP Pedro Strop for assignment.
Cincinnati Reds placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 8, 2020. Right groin strain.
Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Pedro Strop.
RHP Pedro Strop elected free agency.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Pedro Strop from the 10-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 27, 2019. Left neck tightness.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Pedro Strop from the 10-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Pedro Strop on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 7, 2019. Left hamstring strain.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Pedro Strop from the 15-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list. Left meniscus tear.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list. Left groin strain.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Pedro Strop.
Chicago Cubs traded RHP Scott Feldman and C Steve Clevenger to Baltimore Orioles for RHP Jake Arrieta and RHP Pedro Strop.
Pedro Strop roster status changed by Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles placed RHP Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 24, 2013. lower back strain
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Baltimore Orioles claimed RHP Pedro Strop off waivers from Texas Rangers.
Texas Rangers optioned Pedro Strop to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers activated RHP Pedro Strop.
Texas Rangers reassigned RHP Pedro Strop to the minor leagues.
Texas Rangers recalled Pedro Strop from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers optioned Pedro Strop to Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Pedro Strop assigned to Texas Rangers.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Pedro Strop to Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers recalled Pedro Strop from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers optioned Pedro Strop to Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers recalled Pedro Strop from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers optioned Pedro Strop to Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers recalled Pedro Strop from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers activated RHP Pedro Strop.
Texas Rangers optioned Pedro Strop to Oklahoma City RedHawks.
Texas Rangers purchased contract of RHP Pedro Strop from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
RHP Pedro Strop assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Pedro Strop assigned to Oklahoma City RedHawks from Frisco RoughRiders.
Pedro Strop assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Oklahoma City RedHawks.
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