Alex Aquino

ALEX AQUINO, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: July 6, 1996
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 165
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l free agent (Braves)
How Acquired: Rule 5 draft, minor league phase (from Braves)
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
The Braves signed Aquino as a shortstop, but after two years moved him to the mound.  He initially threw just a fastball and change, but eventually started relying heavily on a slider.  His fastball has reached 95 mph.  The Pirates selected Aquino in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

2015
DSL:  266/304/318, 214 AB, 5 2B, 3 3B, 10 BB, 50 K, 8-12 SB

Aquino played mostly short and a little at second in the DSL.  He hit respectably but with terrible plate discipline.

2016
R:  274/329/378, 135 AB, 11 2B, 1 HR, 9 BB, 25 K, 5-6 SB

In the GCL, the Braves played Aquino mostly at third and some at short.  His hitting, including his walk and K rates, improved.

2017
R:  0-1-1, 7.56 ERA, 2.16 WHIP, 8.1 IP, 11.9 BB/9, 5.4 K/9

The Braves moved Aquino to the mound and he pitched briefly in relief.  Not surprisingly, he had trouble throwing strikes.

2018
R:  1-3-0, 5.92 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 24.1 IP, 5.2 BB/9, 7.8 K/9

Still in the GCL, Aquino made modest progress.

2019
R+:  1-0-1, 3.60 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 20.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 9.9 K/9

Aquino moved up to the Appalachian League and made significant progress.  Pitching mainly in one- and two-inning stretches, he showed solid control and had a good K rate.  Opponents had just a .502 OPS against him.

Aquino will turn 24 midway through the 2020 season.  If he’s actually a prospect, he’ll start to move quickly.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2020: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2015
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2021
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
October 2, 2014: Signed by the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent.
December 12, 2019: Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Atlanta Braves in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.