Pirates right-hander Emmanuel Chapman from Holguín, Cuba has really shined early on this season on the farm. The 25-year-old pitcher has shown that he has more ability and talent than first thought when he was signed as an international free agent late last year.
So far in 2024, he seen action in nine games as a reliever in A+ ball with the Pirates. Over that span he has two victories and no losses, an ERA of 2.01 in 13.1 innings. He also has posted three holds, 17 strikeouts, three walks. Opponents are also hitting a paltry .143 against and he has a miniscule 0.77 WHIP.
We recently had the opportunity to talk with the pitcher who wants to one day be a big league pitcher. At the pace the Cuban hurler is going he might grace the grand stage earlier that thought.
Source: Cuban RHP Enmanuel Chapman (25) signed today with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The agreement is pending physical. Bonus deal: $200,000.
Chapman has a solid fastball between 93-98 MPH. He left Cuba in April 2023. No family relationship with Aroldis Chapman.
He is the #33… pic.twitter.com/HQ3OneBCCb
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 15, 2023
You spent three seasons with the Holguín team in the National Series. In spite of the excellent velocity on your pitches you had substandard numbers. What hindered your performance in Cuba?
I pitched for three campaigns with Holguín, which were not very good. I didn’t have good numbers. I debuted in Series 59, at the beginning my starts were good and I had a few favorable outings but I lost my control. I was suspended from baseball for a year because of the famous fight with Industriales. I then had to start from scratch again. I worked hard but I still had that problem, which was lack of control. I couldn’t solve my problem in Cuba so I decided to leave.
What made you decide to leave Cuba to try your luck in other leagues?
I decided to leave Cuba last year, because I wanted to try my luck abroad with the talent I have. I traveled to the Dominican Republic and I was there for several months until I managed to sign with the Pirates, a team that was always interested in me. I did several tryouts for them and they liked me, so they decided to sign me.
In December 2023 you signed for $200,000 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. How did that come to fruition?
I signed with the Pirates on December 15. They called me and we agreed on to terms. They told me that I was going to travel to the United States at once. Thank God I passed the physical exam they give you and everything went well. From there they gave me the visa and I traveled here, to the United States. I pitched in spring training and it went well, thank God. I worked a lot on my pitch command and on my control. After which they sent me to Advanced A ball and here I am, things are going well for me at this moment.
Despite both being from Holguín and sharing the last name Chapman, there is no family link between you and Aroldis. What does it mean to you to have met each him ?
I’m glad he and I are on the same team, we also played together this season during the spring and that was big help to me. Even though we have the same last name and are from the same place, we have no direct family connection. They say that all of us Chapmans are a family and when you look at your ancestors we are kind of distant cousins. He has helped me a lot, he gave me several pieces of advice when during spring training that really helped. For his help I am very grateful. When I met him I was very happy that we finally met. I am very grateful to God for putting him in my path to help advise me. For me it very valuable to have his support, he is a great person and has a lot of experience in the major leagues.
Will we have another Chapman in the future pitching in the Major Leagues with the Pirates?
Yes, I’m preparing tirelessly for that. I know that I have to get there and that’s everyone’s dream growing up. I want to pitch with the Pirates as long as it is God’s will. I am preparing for that moment every day, more and more. I think a lot about that moment all the time, being prepared for it and I’m ready to help my team if given the opportunity. Meanwhile, I’ll continue doing my job in the minor leagues. I’m trying to advance through our farm system as quickly as possible.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who has supported me, from the youth ranks, to all my coaches, like Orelvis, Osmany del Río, Gil, Roelmis. Also to the coaches I had in Santo Domingo and the pitching coaches I have here. I want to thank the Pirates organization for giving me the opportunity to pitch in their minor league system and I am happy with everything so far. I will continue preparing for greater endeavors and lastly I want to thank all the fans back in Holguín.