2029 PITCHING PREVIEW
While lacking in stars, the
Coqui have collected a deep group of pitchers going into spring training and word from inside the front office is that outside of Jose Gomez filling the closer role there are no guarantees as to who will start, set up or make the squad. Here’s a look:
STARTING PITCHING:
Edgardo Diaz - Going 32-9 with a 3.26 e.r.a. the past two seasons, Terror would seem to be the pundits’ pick to top the staff. While that is likely to be the case, if the team feels comfortable about its rotation, the 31-year old could wind up in a key bullpen role.
Masaru Kouki - The 28-year old Kouki appears to have made a successful transition to the big leagues, going 14-4 with a 3.16 e.r.a. last season after suffering some bad luck as a rookie starter (1-6, 3.21). He threw well in a brief 2026 stint as a reliever as well (1.46 e.r.a.) but got buried in AAA with the
Neo-Tokyo organization despite little left to prove at that level.
Hou Hao - The 31-year old righty was another who got buried in the minors after a 12-6, 3.34 season with
Duluth in 2026. San Juan initially signed him to a make-team-or-be-released deal in 2028 and he made the best of it going 15-12, 3.29, and earning an all-star game appearance. He tailed off the second half of 2028 though and then struggled at times last year, winding up 10-15, 4.31. Despite that, he still gave the Coqui 209 innings and more than 60% of his starts were quality.
Juan Santana - The hard throwing righty struck out 189 batters last year but was also pummeled for a league leading 35 home runs, a year after allowing 34. Nonetheless, his overall numbers were respectable at 12-13, 3.78 and an improvement from 10-16 4.21 in his first full season. While he can pitch deep into games, his fastball might be more useful in a relief role.
Roger Keller - The 34-year old was another reclamation project, although one by the rival
Scottish which plucked him from the World Independent League and got two productive seasons from him (13-8, 2.94). He has struggled with injuries, however, and rarely pitched past the middle innings. While he has great stuff for a starter, the Coqui may try to lessen his load by using him in the pen.
Fernando Castro - The Coqui are not quite sure what they have with the moody Castro; the guy who threw a no-hitter in his big league debut or the one who is otherwise 20-24, 4.00, over two seasons. At age 26, this likely will the year the team finds out. Castro has excellent control but lacks a dominant out pitch. He relies mostly on having three equally good pitches to keep hitters guessing. Like Santana, he is also prone to the long ball although his numbers improved last season (30 HR in 2028 to 18).
Pete Scammell - The righty, who had been a closer until reaching AAA, had an impressive rookie season, posting a 2.46 e.r.a. primarily as a starter. However, his lack of decisions (4-3 in 18 starts) indicates his failure to get deep into games. Scammell collected 100 saves in the minors and could be headed for a setup role if the others earn starting berths.
CLOSER
Jose Gomez - Once deemed lazy by the organization, Gomez has emerged as a dominant reliever the past two seasons, striking out 246 and walking just 41 in 206 innings with an arm that doesn’t seem to tire.
SETUP
Otis Pearson - A closer himself with 60 saves the past three seasons, Pearson had an off year in 2029, his e.r.a. ballooning to 3.61.
Gary Walker - Walker emerged as the lefty setup option in his rookie season last year but tailed off late in the year, his e.r.a. winding up at 3.12 in 78 innings.
MIDDLE RELIEF
Marty Bernard, a 27-year old former first round pick who has posted a 3.49 e.r.a. over two seasons in the Coqui pen.
Domingo Vazquez,a 25-year old who converted to relief last year (3.91 in 25 innings) after being a starter in the minors.
THE ROOKIES
Ray Medrano - A a former first round pick who climbed the minors as a relief ace but who the Coqui are likely to experiment with as a starter in AAA to begin the year. Either way, the team will be disappointed if the 24-year old is not in the big leagues by mid-season.
Robby Parker - The only thing that could hinder Tag from making the big leagues (33-11 as a starter thus far in the minors) is his control issues. The team is hoping winter ball helped in that regard.
Jorge Pagan - Climbed the minors quickly but has stalled in AAA. Torn ligaments two years ago hindered his progress but at age 22 he already has 34 starts in AAA. If he hits his stride again, he could be called up quickly.
Toshinobu Nakayama, a 32-year old career minor leaguer (51-20, 2.67 in AAA) who got a brief stint last year in San Juan (3.68 in 15 innings). Coaches seem to want him to have a larger role but the front office is less certain.
Steve Jackson - A former second round pick, Jackpot, now 27, is making a bid for the Show. His fastball and forkball might be good enough for big league relief but his slider and changeup got him in trouble too often as a starter in the minors.