Wilton Chavez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2004
  In one of his best trades as Montreal's GM, Omar Minaya somehow turned soft-hitting Jose Macias into Chavez, who was buried behind a slew of more talented arms in the Cubs system. Macias was eligible for arbitration and about to be nontendered, while Chavez could crack the Expos rotation in the near future. Chavez led the short-season Northwest League in strikeouts in 2000, but his stock has dropped since. He was discovered to be nearly three years older than he was believed to be when he signed. He lacks a true plus pitch, though he has gotten by with an 87-91 mph fastball, a slurvy slider and a changeup. When it's on, his slider is his best offering. Chavez throws strikes and has been able to miss enough bats to be effective. He didn't fool many Triple-A lefthanders--they batted .286 and slugged .466 against him--so he probably needs to return to that level before he's ready for Montreal.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #14 prospect in 2001
  Aaron Krawiec wasn't the only Eugene pitcher who blew away Northwest League hitters in 2000. Chavez led the league in strikeouts and innings, earning recognition as the righthanded starter on the postseason all-star team. He was signed out of the Dominican by Jose Serra, the same scout who discovered Juan Cruz for the Cubs. Chavez has good command of a nasty slider, though he may use it a little too often at the expense of his other pitches. His fastball is also a plus pitch, as he throws it 90-92 mph, and his changeup is developing. He does a terrific job of pitching down in the strike zone and didn't allow a homer in 90 innings last year. After three seasons in short-season leagues, Chavez will get his first shot at full-season ball with either Lansing or Daytona in 2001.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #10 prospect in 2000
  Many managers ranked Chavez higher on this list, while two left him off completely. The Dominican, who was 12-10, 4.00 in two years in Rookie ball prior to this season, is the only foreign player on the list. Chavez was within hailing distance of winning the pitching triple crown. He finished tied for fifth in wins, just two behind the leader, teammate Mark Freed. He ranked second in the league in ERA and first in strikeouts, thanks to a 91-92 mph fastball and wicked slider that ranked as the best breaking ball in the league. He also flashed a workable changeup. "He has a live arm and keeps the ball down with all three of his pitches," Pollreisz said. "He's got good command of his slider and fastball. He'd throw anything at any time in the count." But one manager said Chavez' slider was almost too good: "I don't think there's a big chance for a guy to reach the big leagues if he's 19 and throwing almost two sliders for every fastball. I've got to see more fastballs."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Many managers ranked Chavez higher on this list, while two left him off completely. The Dominican, who was 12-10, 4.00 in two years in Rookie ball prior to this season, is the only foreign player on the list. Chavez was within hailing distance of winning the pitching triple crown. He finished tied for fifth in wins, just two behind the leader, teammate Mark Freed. He ranked second in the league in ERA and first in strikeouts, thanks to a 91-92 mph fastball and wicked slider that ranked as the best breaking ball in the league. He also flashed a workable changeup. "He has a live arm and keeps the ball down with all three of his pitches," Pollreisz said. "He's got good command of his slider and fastball. He'd throw anything at any time in the count." But one manager said Chavez' slider was almost too good: "I don't think there's a big chance for a guy to reach the big leagues if he's 19 and throwing almost two sliders for every fastball. I've got to see more fastballs."