Free-agent righty Vladimir Gutiérrez had a showcase yesterday for various MLB ballclubs where he threw 25 pitches to various current MLB and ex-MLB hitters, looking marvelous in the process. The hurler’s fastball was consistently between 93-95 mph, topping out a 96 and his off-speed pitches stood out as well, most notably his changeup.
The right-hander from Pinar del Río, Cuba worked out freakishly this offseason and this led him flash his electric repertoire for MLB ballclubs during his showcase. Gutiérrez aside from a mid-90’s fastball and also has an array of sharp breaking pitches in his arsenal. His slider and curveball are good setup pitches for his heater, while his changeup is elite.
Righty @vladimi83418418 had a showcase today for various MLB ballclubs where he threw 25 pitches to various current @MLB and ex-MLB hitters and looked marvelous. The hurler’s fastball was consistently between 93-95 mph, topping out a 96.#CubanBaseballDigest #Showcase pic.twitter.com/Tg2UpcT5W7
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) January 23, 2024
In his two year big league career he sports a record of 10-12, 5.44 earned run average and has struck out 117 batters in 150 ⅔ innings of work. The 28-year-old Gutiérrez still shows a lot of promise and if he returns to his 2021 form could be a future anchor for a pitching staff in the big show.
During that 2021 season the hurler posted a 9-6 record, 4.74 earned run average and 88 strikeouts in 22 starts. His performance netting him some votes in the Rookie of the Year balloting during that campaign. Depending on which MLB team’s eye he catches during his presentation will depend on what roster we will see the Cuban righty this spring. As of right now the Cubs and Angels are the favorites to sign the pitcher.
El derecho @vladimi83418418 nos habla sobre su presentación ayer y cómo se preparó este invierno para el showcase con el profesor @HLB_Pitching.#pelotacubana #MLB pic.twitter.com/XemgQyHf4w
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) January 24, 2024
How does your arm feel your arm?
I feel good, thank God. I am 100 percent rehabilitated and I haven’t had any problems so far this offseason.
You looked good at the showcase. What was the goal and how many teams were here?
I think there were 26 teams. The goal is to try to look good and do my best to show them that I am healthy so that they can trust that I can help them next year.
What did you work on with Professor Berríos this winter and how did you apply it in this showcase?
I have worked with him on things that I had previously had difficulties with, such as controlling my leg so that it does not open and also trying to coordinate it with my shoulder so my mechanics stay on point.
Tell me about the importance of your change in your repertoire.
It is a good pitch in repertoire, you can see the contrast and its effectiveness when I throw the fastball and then follow with changeup. I’ve been working on it a lot since last year, Professor Berríos told me in 2022 to start using it and from then on I’ve been working to improve it even more and more.
Sources tell me that there is a lot of interest from teams in your services. Is there any offer on the table?
I don’t know what to tell you about that topic. It is being handled by my representatives, my job is to be ready for the team that makes the decision to sign me.