The Houston Astros are in agreement to sign Panamanian right-handed pitcher Antony Aparicio to a minor-league contract, a source told Astros Future on Friday. Pending a physical, Aparicio’s deal will mark the 16th confirmed signing for the 2022 international signing period, which opened Jan. 15.
Aparicio, a 20-year-old prospect, was evaluated as a future starting pitcher. Scouts admired the righty’s 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, building his strength working on a farm. Aparicio’s fastball sits around 88-91 mph with a high spin rate and a vertical break — which is generated from a consistent release point and a fluid delivery. Scouts clocked his curveball at 76-78 mph with above an average spin rate, and his changeup sat around 80-82 mph with “decent deception.”
The Astros are also in agreement with Panamanian right-handed pitcher Cristian Navarro for the 2024 international signing period, which opens next Jan. 15, the source added. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound pitcher is projected to add more muscle to his build. Although 15 years old, Navarro recorded his four-seam fastball at 88-89 mph with a high spin rate and a vertical break.
His two-seam fastball was clocked at 86-87 mph with a sinking motion, generating most of his ground-ball outs. Navarro also throws a 77-78 mph slurve with a high spin rate and an 82-83 mph changeup with a plus horizontal movement. He showed advanced pitching ability for his age to scouts with his maturity to attack the zone.
“Both of the guys I am really excited for,” said Daniel Rodriguez, the Astros scouting assistant for Panama. “Cristian Navarro is one of the pitchers I really, really wanted. I know he’s going to be something else.”
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