Ricardo Aramboles

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #24 prospect in 2004
  After being limited to just 23 innings with a tender elbow in 2002, Aramboles was throwing the ball as well as anyone in Reds camp last spring when he had another setback. Already a survivor of Tommy John surgery in 1999, he had a season-ending operation to repair a torn labrum in April. He attended instructional league for one week following the season, throwing on flat ground. The Reds expect him to be ready to throw off a mound by spring training. The question is whether Aramboles will regain his clean arm action, 92-94 mph fastball, power curveball and devastating changeup. If all goes well, he could get a taste of the big leagues in September and hope for a 2005 arrival in their bullpen. He'd still be just 23. But the list of recoveries from labrum surgeries is much shorter than those from Tommy John surgery, so the odds are stacked against Aramboles.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #7 prospect in 2003
  Like Wily Mo Pena, Aramboles signed with the Yankees after Major League Baseball voided his first contract with the Marlins because he was too young. He had Tommy John surgery in 1999 and was traded for Mark Wohlers in 2001. Aramboles hasn't been able to get through a full season since 2000. Last year, he strained a thumb ligament swinging a bat in spring training and came down with a tender elbow during the season. Aramboles has major league-caliber stuff. His deceptive changeup is a plus pitch and makes his 92-94 mph fastball that much better. He backs those pitches up with a power 78 mph curveball with depth. He has a big league body, but Aramboles must prove he can withstand a full season without injury. He has a good delivery and clean arm action, but needs to gain more consistency with it. He has worked with pitching instructor Sammy Ellis to fine-tune his mechanics. He was on the cusp of the majors last spring and could impress the big league staff in the same manner again. Aramboles might be better served getting consistent innings in Double-A before being rushed. He was at full strength in instructional league.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #4 prospect in 2002
  Aware they couldn't afford to retain reliever Mark Wohlers in 2002, the Reds sent him to the Yankees for Aramboles, who has recovered from Tommy John surgery in 1999, though he was shut down with a strained elbow shortly after the trade. Aramboles thrilled the Reds because they've recently had so few pitchers like him. He has an uncanny ability to adjust to changes in game situations, with a fastball that regularly travels at 93-94 mph, an excellent changeup and a decent curveball. He was the club's top pitcher in instructional league. Aramboles must stay on top of all of his pitches and resist the temptation to push off the rubber too quickly so he can drive down off the mound more forcefully. His results aren't as overpowering as his stuff because he trusts his changeup too much. After bouncing around with four teams in 2001, Aramboles could benefit from some stability in Double-A.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #16 prospect in 2001
  Aramboles originally signed with the Marlins in 1996, but the commissioner's office struck down the contract a year later because he was underage when he agreed to the deal. Spirited bidding from several teams ensued, with New York winning out for $1.52 million in February 1998. After a fine debut, he injured his elbow and required Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for much of 1999. Back at full strength last year, he held his own at Greensboro. His fastball once again was topping out at 95 mph, and he has good secondary pitches. His changeup is outstanding, and his curveball is slightly above-average. In 2000, Aramboles got hit a little more than a pitcher with his stuff should. That's because he relied on his changeup at the expense of his fastball. He has the heat to overpower hitters and needs to do so when he can. Aramboles will move to high Class A this season.