Jays Journal » Robert Coello

Introducing Robert Coello, Blue Jays RHP

Jared Macdonald — Thu, 31 May 2012 22:07:33 +0000

Having now made more than 10 roster moves in just five days, the Toronto Blue Jays have purchased the contract of right-handed reliever Robert Coello from Triple-A Las Vegas to occupy the 40-man roster spot previously occupied by Adam Lind, who was outrighted to Las Vegas. Coello is the fourth relief pitcher to be added to the Blue Jays’ roster since Saturday.

Signed to a minor league contract by the Jays on December 9, Coello last pitched in the majors for the Red Sox in 2010. In 17 games for Las Vegas this season, the 27-year-old has compiled a 3.22 ERA/3.94 FIP with 38 strikeouts and just 26 hits in 36 1/3 innings. Technically a three-pitch pitcher, Coello favors his 90 mph fastball and will occasionally mix in a low-80′s changeup.

In addition to losing his handle on the strike zone periodically, Coello is a much better pitcher against right-handed hitters — two things that I alluded to in an article back on March 5 after seeing Coello pitch in a spring training game.

“Jays reliever Robert Coello didn’t have the kind of day that he wanted in the bottom of the seventh, as he gave up a wind-carried solo home run to Pirates hitter Nick Evans before walking Yamaico Navarro and hitting Jordy Mercer,” I wrote in the article. “Coello, throwing hard inside to right-handed hitters, finished the day having allowed two earned runs on two hits with a walk, though it could have been much worse.”

Right-hander Robert Coello is the latest reliever to be called up to the Blue Jays. (Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE)

It should be noted that while Coello has walked nine batters in his last three outings and 17 in 36 innings this season, he’s been stretched out from making one-inning relief outings at the end of April to five-inning starts as recently as May 28.

A former 20th round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2004, Coello spent the entire 2011 season in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system, managing a 4.19 ERA in 34 games (116 innings) split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.

- JM

Winter Ball Update: Pitchers

Jared Macdonald — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:54:05 +0000

It’s been over two months since we looked at which Blue Jays prospects are playing winter ball in the Caribbean leagues, so here’s an update on the six pitchers still in action down south. Players come and go in the Caribbean Leagues, and there shouldn’t be too much stock put into the numbers that are recorded.

There are three prospects pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League (VWL), two in the Dominican Winter League (DWL), and one in the Liga Mexicano del Pacifico (LMP). Three players who were previously mentioned on this list have been removed, as Double-A New Hampshire arms Yohan Pino and Reidier Gonzalez are no longer playing and although Vancouver Canadians reliever Aleson Escalante is listed on the winter leagues website, he hasn’t pitched since October 15.

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Roster Move Roundup: Hoey, Coello, Carpenter, Jeroloman, Rasmus

Jared Macdonald — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:08:50 +0000

Despite tonight’s non-tender deadline, today was a busy day in terms of transactions news and other notes, so here’s a rundown of everything that was released this afternoon:

The Blue Jays claimed 6-foot-6 reliever Jim Hoey off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, as released on the Jays’ official site. Before returning to the Majors this year, Hoey hadn’t pitched at the big league level since 2007. In 24.2 innings for the Twins this past season, the right-hander compiled a 5.47 ERA/5.58 FIP with almost as many walks (13) as strikeouts (14).
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