Esmil Rogers Stats & Scouting Report

IP	454.0
ERA	5.59
WHIP	1.570
BB/9	3.6
SO/9	7.7

Full name Esmil Antonio Rogers
Born 08/14/1985 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 09/12/2009

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Originally signed as a shortstop, Rogers hit .209 in three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before moving to the mound in 2006. He dominated Double-A hitters in the first half of 2009 before getting knocked around in Triple-A and making his big league debut in September. Rogers made the transition to pitching more easily than most former position players, quickly developing smooth mechanics. His fastball ranges from 92-95 mph and features good life, and he can rack up strikeouts with his hard curveball. Until he got to Triple-A, he did a good job of challenging hitters. Rogers seemed intimidated when he got to Colorado Springs, consistently fell behind in the count and got hit harder than ever before. He just has to trust his power stuff. Lefthanders batted .367/.453/.608 against him in Triple-A, reinforcing his need to develop a changeup. Though he's a good athlete, he's still learning how to control the running game and has committed 18 errors the last three years. Rogers will return to Colorado Springs and try to conquer Triple-A to start 2010. If he can clean up his changeup, he'll be a starter. If not, his fastball and curveball are more than enough for him to succeed in a late-inning relief role.
Signed as a shortstop, Rogers struggled with the bat. After hitting .209 in three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, he agreed to give up hitting in 2006 and has made a solid adjustment to the mound. For a converted player, Rogers has adapted well to the craft of pitching. He has a solid delivery and good arm action, producing a 92-94 mph fastball with late life. The curveball came quickly. It has a hard break and can be a strikeout pitch. He has shown solid control. Rogers' inexperience with pitching shows in nuances such as defense and holding runners. The only below-average pitch in his arsenal is a changeup, which lacks consistency. Rogers was protected in his workload the first two years he pitched, but last season he took his regular turn all year in the California League. He is ready for the move to Double-A, and the Rockies believe he can be in the rotation by 2010. If his changeup doesn't make progress, his two-pitch arsenal and live arm should allow him to be an effective reliever quickly.
Of the top eight pitchers on this list, Rogers is the fourth who began his pro career as a position player, and that doesn't include Brandon Hynick, a two-way star in college. Originally a shortstop, Rogers hit just .209 in three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before moving to the mound in 2006. He advanced to low Class A in 2007 and established himself as a legitimate pitching candidate. For a converted infielder, Rogers has a surprisingly solid delivery and startling command of a curveball. He also showcases his arm strength with a 92-94 mph fastball that has late life. The Rockies kept him in extended spring training last year to keep his innings down, and he's still working on building his durability. He also has to develop a changeup if he's to remain in the rotation. Though he was placed on the 40-man roster, Rogers doesn't project to be in Colorado's big league plans until 2010. He'll move up to high Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Rogers tore through the Texas League, going 8-2, 2.48 before being promoted to Colorado Springs in early July. He found the going much tougher in the PCL, but still impressed observers with his lively 92-95 mph fastball. He also can spin a plus curveball with good velocity and two-plane break. A converted shortstop, Rogers has a clean delivery and is plenty athletic on the mound, but he's still learning the mental side of pitching. There were times where he appeared to get rattled easily, and he still has to understand that he can trust his stuff and doesn't have to try to overpower every hitter. His changeup is still a work in progress as well.
In just his third full season on the mound after converting from shortstop, Rogers made his major league debut and spent most of the second half in Triple-A. Rogers brings a power arsenal to the mound, with a fastball that touches 94-95 mph--though his velocity usually falls off during games--and a power curveball in the low 80s. He has easy mechanics and gets good life on his pitches, and he shows a willingness to go after hitters as well as advanced command for his level of experience. Rogers' changeup, like many of the subtle aspects of pitching, is a work in progress. He's still learning his craft as well as improving the way he handles himself on the mound.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Control in the Texas League in 2009

Career Transactions

RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Dominican Republic.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Toros del Este.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Toros del Este.
El Aguila de Veracruz signed free agent RHP Esmil Rogers.
Mariachis de Guadalajara released RHP Esmil Rogers.
Mariachis de Guadalajara activated RHP Esmil Rogers from the reserve list.
Mariachis de Guadalajara signed free agent RHP Esmil Rogers.
RHP Esmil Rogers and assigned to Dominican Republic.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Sultanes de Monterrey.
Tigres del Licey activated RHP Esmil Rogers.
Tigres del Licey activated RHP Esmil Rogers.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Guerreros de Oaxaca released RHP Esmil Rogers.
Guerreros de Oaxaca signed free agent RHP Esmil Rogers.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
Syracuse Chiefs released RHP Esmil Rogers.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Tigres del Licey.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Esmil Rogers to a minor league contract.
New York Yankees released RHP Esmil Rogers.
New York Yankees sent RHP Esmil Rogers outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees selected the contract of Esmil Rogers from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated RHP Esmil Rogers.
New York Yankees sent RHP Esmil Rogers outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Estrellas de Oriente.
New York Yankees activated RHP Esmil Rogers.
New York Yankees claimed RHP Esmil Rogers off waivers from Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays designated RHP Esmil Rogers for assignment.
Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of RHP Esmil Rogers from Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Esmil Rogers outright to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays designated RHP Esmil Rogers for assignment.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Tigres del Licey.
RHP Esmil Rogers roster status changed by Tigres del Licey.
RHP Esmil Rogers transferred to Aguilas Cibaenas from Tigres del Licey.
Esmil Rogers assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Cleveland Indians traded RHP Esmil Rogers to Toronto Blue Jays for LF Mike Aviles and C Yan Gomes.
Esmil Rogers roster status changed by Cleveland Indians.
Colorado Rockies traded RHP Esmil Rogers to Cleveland Indians for cash.
Colorado Rockies designated Esmil Rogers for assignment.
Colorado Rockies activated RHP Esmil Rogers from the 15-day disabled list.
sent RHP Esmil Rogers on a rehab assignment to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox sent RHP Esmil Rogers on a rehab assignment to Tulsa Drillers.
sent RHP Esmil Rogers on a rehab assignment to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies placed RHP Esmil Rogers on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 2, 2011. right lat muscle strain
Colorado Rockies recalled Esmil Rogers from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies optioned Esmil Rogers to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies recalled Esmil Rogers from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies optioned Esmil Rogers to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies recalled Esmil Rogers from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies optioned Esmil Rogers to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies recalled Esmil Rogers from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Colorado Rockies optioned Esmil Rogers to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Esmil Rogers roster status changed by Colorado Rockies.
RHP Esmil Rogers assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Colorado Rockies reassigned RHP Esmil Rogers to the minor leagues.
Colorado Rockies recalled Esmil Rogers from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Esmil Rogers assigned to Colorado Springs Sky Sox from Tulsa Drillers.