Born04/04/1990 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'1" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
It took three tries, but Paniagua finally found a home with a big league club when MLB approved his $1.5 million deal with the Cubs last August. He originally signed with the Diamondbacks for $17,000 in May 2009, using the name Juan Carlos Collado and an April 4, 1990 birthdate. He pitched parts of two seasons in the Dominican Summer League waiting for MLB approval that never came. MLB terminated that deal and declared him ineligible to sign for one year because of falsified paperwork. Afterward, he used the Paniagua surname and the same birthdate to sign with the Yankees for $1.1 million. Again, MLB rejected him and ruled him ineligible for year for using fraudulent documents. When he agreed to terms with the Cubs, MLB decided it couldn't determine his birthdate and let the team proceed as it wished. Even if he's older than his listed age of 22, Paniagua has a valuable right arm. Club officials saw his fastball sit at 94-98 mph and touch 100 in multiple-inning stints. His second-best pitch is his changeup, with his 82-84 mph slider more notable for its velocity than its break. Paniagua has a long, slinging arm action, leading many scouts to believe he's better suited for the bullpen. Chicago will audition him first as a starter and probably will send him to low Class A to open 2013.
Career Transactions
Tigres del Licey placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the reserve list.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Olmecas de Tabasco released RHP Juan Paniagua.
Olmecas de Tabasco placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the reserve list.
RHP Juan Paniagua loaned to Olmecas de Tabasco from Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the reserve list.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos signed free agent RHP Juan Paniagua.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Aguilas del Zulia.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Iowa Cubs released RHP Juan Paniagua.
Iowa Cubs activated RHP Juan Paniagua from the 7-day disabled list.
Iowa Cubs placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Iowa Cubs from Eugene Emeralds.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Eugene Emeralds from Iowa Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Iowa Cubs from Eugene Emeralds.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Eugene Emeralds from Iowa Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Iowa Cubs from Eugene Emeralds.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Eugene Emeralds from Iowa Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Iowa Cubs from Eugene Emeralds.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Eugene Emeralds from Iowa Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Iowa Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Chicago Cubs.
Tennessee Smokies activated RHP Juan Paniagua from the 7-day disabled list.
Tennessee Smokies placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to SOU North Division All-Stars.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Chicago Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Estrellas de Oriente.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated RHP Juan Paniagua from the 7-day disabled list.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed RHP Juan Paniagua on the 7-day disabled list.
Juan Paniagua assigned to Daytona Cubs from Kane County Cougars.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Kane County Cougars from Boise Hawks.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Boise Hawks from Kane County Cougars.
Juan Paniagua assigned to Kane County Cougars from AZL Cubs.
Juan Paniagua assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs.
Juan Paniagua assigned to DSL Cubs.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs.
Juan Paniagua assigned to AZL Cubs.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Juan Paniagua to a minor league contract.
DSL Diamondbacks released RHP Juan Paniagua.
RHP Juan Paniagua assigned to DSL Diamondbacks.
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