The Houston Astros officially signed Panamanian right-handed pitcher Antony Aparicio to a minor-league contract Thursday. Astros Future reported an agreement between Aparicio and the Astros on Jan. 27, 12 days after the 2022 international signing period opened.
“We really are excited about him and the live arm he has with control and how big he is,” said Daniel Rodriguez, the Astros assistant scout for Panama.
Growing up next to a farm in Querevalos, Chiriquí, Panama, Aparicio built strength in his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame by harvesting watermelons. The righty throws 89-90 mph on his fastball, complementing a high-spin rate breaking ball that he commands well.
Aparicio, a 20-year-old prospect, is on the older end of signees in his class. Rodriguez considers Aparicio in the same category of older signees like Luis García, Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez, if the right-hander reaches his potential. Aparicio is the 18th addition for the Astros in the current international signing period. The Astros assigned him to the Dominican Summer League Astros Blue.
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