ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 285 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut04/04/1997
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Colon topped the list a year ago, but arm problems for the second straight year are starting to be a cause for concern. An elbow problem that club officials hope isn’t chronic prompted a trial in the bullpen for Colon in 1996. Colon has an explosive 94-96 mph fastball, a hard breaking ball and good feel for his changeup. All three are plus pitches, and when healthy he can overpower hitters. Durability. Colon’s elbow remains a concern. He also needs better command of his fastball on both sides of the plate. Velocity alone won’t overpower big league hitters. The Indians will decide in spring training whether to use Colon as a starter or reliever in 1997. No matter what the role, he’ll fill it at Triple-A Buffalo.
Despite not pitching after Aug. 1 because of a bone bruise in his elbow, Colon was so dominant at high Class A Kinston that he was named the Carolina League pitcher of the year and the league's top prospect. He's a comet hurtling to the big leagues. He's gone 26-8, 2.52 while giving up an average of just 6.2 hits per nine innings in his three professional seasons. Indians officials say the elbow problem was cured through rest and rehab and Colon should be 100 percent at the start of spring training.
Strengths: When opposing teams discuss trades with general manager John Hart, Colon's name is always one of the first mentioned. He's the premier pitcher in a pitching-rich system. He has three quality pitches: a fastball, curveball and changeup. His fastball is his best pitch, registering in the mid-90s, and the other two pitches have the potential to be above-average. Colon has no problem throwing strikes, a rare ability for a young pitcher. He eventually should become an impact pitcher, either a No. 1 starter or a dominant closer, at the major league level.
Outside of his health--and the elbow appears to be fine--there are no question marks about Colon. He can improve the consistency of his breaking pitch. He doesn't have the height of a prototype power pitcher and he lacks experience, but neither shortcoming has held him back.
Assuming his elbow problem doesn't flare up in training camp, Colon will likely skip a level and begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He should be able to join Cleveland's rotation in 1997, if not earlier.
Minor League Top Prospects
Colon, the top prospect in the Carolina League last year, spent much of 1996 bothered by arm problems. When healthy, he showed a good fastball, such as in April when 76 of his 92 pitches against Harrisburg were clocked at 90 mph or better.
“He’s a young kid, who when he gets a little better command of his breaking ball is going to be a special kid with a power arm,” his Canton-Akron manager Jeff Datz said.
Cleveland promoted Colon to Triple-A Buffalo late in the season and converted him to relief. The Indians believe a lesser workload may put less stress on his arm and keep him healthier.
Just two years removed from the Dominican Summer League, Colon was the hardest thrower in the Carolina League, and managers were impressed by his ability to maintain his plus fastball into the late innings.
Colon has exceptional control for a power pitcher. Not only does he not walk batters, but he can spot his fastball in the strike zone almost at will. He complements his heater with an improving curveball and a changeup.
The CL pitcher of the year kept getting better with Kinston until a bone bruise in his pitching elbow shelved him for the last month of the season. At the time of his injury, he was leading the league in all three triple crown categories--wins, ERA and strikeouts.
“I haven’t seen anyone with the stuff he’s got,” Kinston manager Gordy MacKenzie said. “He’s got an exceptional arm. He just needs to pitch. He just needs to gain experience.”
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
Rated Best Control in the American League in 2013
Rated Best Fastball in the American League in 2003
Scouting Reports
Colon topped the list a year ago, but arm problems for the second straight year are starting to be a cause for concern. An elbow problem that club officials hope isn’t chronic prompted a trial in the bullpen for Colon in 1996. Colon has an explosive 94-96 mph fastball, a hard breaking ball and good feel for his changeup. All three are plus pitches, and when healthy he can overpower hitters. Durability. Colon’s elbow remains a concern. He also needs better command of his fastball on both sides of the plate. Velocity alone won’t overpower big league hitters. The Indians will decide in spring training whether to use Colon as a starter or reliever in 1997. No matter what the role, he’ll fill it at Triple-A Buffalo.
Despite not pitching after Aug. 1 because of a bone bruise in his elbow, Colon was so dominant at high Class A Kinston that he was named the Carolina League pitcher of the year and the league's top prospect. He's a comet hurtling to the big leagues. He's gone 26-8, 2.52 while giving up an average of just 6.2 hits per nine innings in his three professional seasons. Indians officials say the elbow problem was cured through rest and rehab and Colon should be 100 percent at the start of spring training.
Strengths: When opposing teams discuss trades with general manager John Hart, Colon's name is always one of the first mentioned. He's the premier pitcher in a pitching-rich system. He has three quality pitches: a fastball, curveball and changeup. His fastball is his best pitch, registering in the mid-90s, and the other two pitches have the potential to be above-average. Colon has no problem throwing strikes, a rare ability for a young pitcher. He eventually should become an impact pitcher, either a No. 1 starter or a dominant closer, at the major league level.
Outside of his health--and the elbow appears to be fine--there are no question marks about Colon. He can improve the consistency of his breaking pitch. He doesn't have the height of a prototype power pitcher and he lacks experience, but neither shortcoming has held him back.
Assuming his elbow problem doesn't flare up in training camp, Colon will likely skip a level and begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He should be able to join Cleveland's rotation in 1997, if not earlier.
Colon, the top prospect in the Carolina League last year, spent much of 1996 bothered by arm problems. When healthy, he showed a good fastball, such as in April when 76 of his 92 pitches against Harrisburg were clocked at 90 mph or better.
“He’s a young kid, who when he gets a little better command of his breaking ball is going to be a special kid with a power arm,” his Canton-Akron manager Jeff Datz said.
Cleveland promoted Colon to Triple-A Buffalo late in the season and converted him to relief. The Indians believe a lesser workload may put less stress on his arm and keep him healthier.
Just two years removed from the Dominican Summer League, Colon was the hardest thrower in the Carolina League, and managers were impressed by his ability to maintain his plus fastball into the late innings.
Colon has exceptional control for a power pitcher. Not only does he not walk batters, but he can spot his fastball in the strike zone almost at will. He complements his heater with an improving curveball and a changeup.
The CL pitcher of the year kept getting better with Kinston until a bone bruise in his pitching elbow shelved him for the last month of the season. At the time of his injury, he was leading the league in all three triple crown categories--wins, ERA and strikeouts.
“I haven’t seen anyone with the stuff he’s got,” Kinston manager Gordy MacKenzie said. “He’s got an exceptional arm. He just needs to pitch. He just needs to gain experience.”
Career Transactions
RHP Bartolo Colon retired.
Acereros del Norte activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the reserve list.
Acereros del Norte placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the reserve list.
Acereros del Norte activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the reserve list.
RHP Bartolo Colon roster status changed by Acereros del Norte.
Acereros del Norte activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the reserve list.
Acereros del Norte signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
Aguilas Cibaenas placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the reserve list.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
Texas Rangers activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the 10-day disabled list.
Texas Rangers placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to August 21, 2018. Lower back strain.
Texas Rangers selected the contract of RHP Bartolo Colon from Round Rock Express.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract.
Texas Rangers released RHP Bartolo Colon.
Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
Minnesota Twins activated RHP Bartolo Colon.
Minnesota Twins reassigned RHP Bartolo Colon to the minor leagues.
Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Bartolo Colon from Rochester Red Wings.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract.
Atlanta Braves released RHP Bartolo Colon.
Atlanta Braves designated RHP Bartolo Colon for assignment.
Atlanta Braves activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the 10-day disabled list.
Atlanta Braves placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 10-day disabled list. left oblique strain
Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to National League All-Stars.
New York Mets signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
New York Mets activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the bereavement list.
New York Mets placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the bereavement list.
New York Mets signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
Oakland Athletics activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the 15-day disabled list.
Oakland Athletics placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 14, 2013. Left groin strain.
Oakland Athletics activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the restricted list.
Bartolo Colon roster status changed by Oakland Athletics.
Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
Oakland Athletics placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the restricted list.
Oakland Athletics activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the 15-day disabled list.
Oakland Athletics placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 18, 2012. strained right oblique
Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.
New York Yankees activated RHP Bartolo Colon.
Bartolo Colon roster status changed by New York Yankees.
New York Yankees placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list. strained left hamstring
New York Yankees selected the contract of Bartolo Colon from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP Bartolo Colon to spring training.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees signed free agent Bartolo Colon.
RHP Bartolo Colon assigned to Criollos de Caguas.
Leones del Escogido claimed RHP Bartolo Colon off waivers from Aguilas Cibaenas.
Bartolo Colon assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
Chicago White Sox released RHP Bartolo Colon.
Chicago White Sox placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 25, 2009. Right elbow inflammation
Chicago White Sox activated RHP Bartolo Colon from the 15-day disabled list.
sent RHP Bartolo Colon on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Knights.
Charlotte Knights sent RHP Bartolo Colon on a rehab assignment to Kannapolis Intimidators.
Bartolo Colon assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 8, 2009. Sore left knee.
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