RAMON AGUERO

12/21/84; NDFA '05; Dominican Republic
R/R; 6-4, 185

Level
W-L-Sv
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB
K
BB/9
K/9
WHIP
OAVG
ERA
2006 DSL
1-1-0
8
4
29.0
28
 
9
19
2.8
5.9
1.28
.259
3.41
2007 DSL
5-2-0
16
13
75.2
64
5
22
81
2.6
9.6
1.14
.222
2.26
2008 A-
1-10-0
15
10
49.1
64
6
22
35
4.0
6.4
1.74
.308
6.75
2009 AA
0-2-4
8
0
12.2
8
0
6
13
4.3
9.2
1.11
.182
2.84
2009 A+
1-0-0
11
0
21.2
20
1
9
22
3.7
9.1
1.34
.241
2.49
2009 A
1-2-0
20
3
49.2
58
5
16
40
2.9
7.2
1.49
.294
4.71

I spent months . . . well, not literally . . . wondering where Aguero came from after he appeared on the State College roster at the start of the 2008 season.  At the same time, I was wondering what happened to Samuel Vasquez, who put up very good numbers in the DSL in 2007 and was invited to spring training, yet never appeared on any roster anywhere.  The answer is that they're the same guy.  The unfortunate part is that he's four years older as Aguero than he was as Vasquez, who at a purported age of 19 this year would have looked like he might be a real prospect.  The sudden increase in his age probably accounts for him being assigned to State College rather than the GCL.  Agegate evidently hasn't run its course quite yet.

Aguero struggled at State College, getting hit very hard and not fanning many hitters.  Despite the problems, though, he was slated for West Virginia in 2009.  He opened in the rotation and got hammered in three starts.  After moving to the bullpen, though, he simply took off.  He ended up in AA (except that the Pirates moved him back down to Lynchburg for the playoffs) and got better at each level.  Aguero has a power arm and can throw as high as 96-97 consistently, although when he goes beyond one inning his velocity tends to drop.  He also has a very good change, which makes him tough on lefties.  In fact, at Altoona lefties hit .174 against him while righties hit .324.  His command is apt to falter at times, which isn't surprising considering that he's thrown fewer than 135 IP in US pro ball.  Aguero was eligible for the Rule 5 draft in the fall and the Pirates added him to the 40-man roster.  He should open 2010 in AA, but could reach the majors quickly if he improves his command.

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