Ysmael Carmona

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #27 prospect in 2011
  Carmona began 2010 in the same Arkansas bullpen as Jordan Walden and Michael Kohn. While Carmona didn't receive a callup during the season like they did, he received the next best thing: a spot on the 40-man roster in November. The move was aimed at shielding him from minor league free agency as well as selection in the Rule 5 draft, which he passed through untaken the previous two winters. Signed as an outfielder, Carmona hit an empty .127 in the Dominican Summer League in 2004 and never got a chance to redeem himself as a position player. The Angels shifted his top-shelf arm strength to the mound, where he sits comfortably at 92-94 mph and touches 96. Carmona's two-seamer sinks dramatically and his four-seamer has armside run. The life on his fastball, coupled with his low three-quarters arm slot, leads to all problems finding the strike zone. He has averaged 6.7 walks per nine innings in pro ball. Carmona's average 81-84 mph slider with short, late bite makes him particularly tough for righthanders to hit, but he struggles to come in on lefties, in part because his low arm angle gives them such a long look at the ball. In an organization brimming with power arms, Carmona ranks among the hardest throwers. At age 26 this season, it's time for him to put up results to match his raw stuff.