JONATHAN ALBALADEJO

10/30/82; '01 19th; Miami Dade CC
R/R; 6-5, 215

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2001 R	0-3-1	10	2	19.0	22	2	24	4.74
2002 R	3-2-0	12	10	60.0	71	6	37	2.40
2003 A	12-5-1	29	20	139.0	114	19	110	3.11
2004 A+	8-8-0	24	24	131.0	150	25	92	4.33

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA	OAVG	OOBP	OSLG
2005 A+	4-3-2	28	6	78.1	74	21	76	3.91	.246	.293	.399

Albaladejo put himself on the map with an impressive performance in the Puerto Rican winter league after the 2002 season. Despite having recorded only decent seasons in two years in the GCL, he led the winter league in ERA pitching against much more experienced competition. According to scouts, he just suddenly figured things out. At the time, he threw his fastball around 92-93, sometimes hitting as high as 95 mph, although his secondary pitches reportedly needed work. Albaladejo made the jump to Hickory successfully, allowing very few baserunners, although his K rate was not outstanding. He was only 20, so at the time he looked like a good prospect. He wasn't, however, able to make the step up to Lynchburg successfully. In 2004, he got hit hard much of the time. He still didn't walk many hitters, but he also had a low K rate. The problem has been attributed to a drop in velocity to the high-80s, which in turn was blamed on a weight gain. Albaladejo also missed the last several weeks with an injury. The Pirates decided to move him to the bullpen, a move that's helped other, usually hard-throwing pitchers in the organization. He opened 2005 in the rotation due to a shortage of pitchers, but eventually moved to relief. He did much better after the move, as his ERA before moving full-time to the bullpen was over 6.00. Overall, he got his K rate up to a good level while still not walking many batters. His peripheral #s were better than his ERA, as he limited hitters to 246/293/399. His HR rate (he allowed 9) was just a little high. Unfortunately, he got hurt again and missed about a third of the season. He's still only 23 and could get back on the map, especially if he's able to open 2006 at Altoona.

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