Franco
Aleman

Aleman has begun to rebound into what Aaron Fitt and I saw the summer of 2019 in the Cape when he posted a 3-0 record and a 1.43 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 37.2 IP. Shortly thereafter, we ranked him as the No. 7 prospect in the Cape Cod League and the No. 25 college prospect. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds Aleman is long bodied and athletic. His lower release point makes his 90-96 mph heater especially effective to right handed hitters. At his best he challenges hitters with well-angled fastballs and spins low-80s sliders to go along with a solid average changeup and above average pitchability. He’s a pitch to contact type who also showed a pair of low-spin (2200 rpm) curveballs at 70-71 mph among his 94 pitches against the Vols. Of the 15 sliders he threw, three resulted in swing/miss, while five of 71 fastballs induced whiffs. During this recent look, he only threw two low-spin (1550 rpm) changeups, which I found odd since it was his best pitch less than two years ago in the Cape. Regardless, he shut down the Volunteer bats over five innings, allowing just one hit and two runs while walking three and striking out four. There isn’t an abundance of arm speed, but the delivery is easy and repeatable, as his durable frame should allow him to maintain a starter’s workload throughout a season. Currently setting up on the first base side of the rubber, it would be interesting to see Aleman’s effectiveness if he moved towards the third base side of the rubber. This would allow him to get even more horizontal movement and attack angle from his lower slot. Aleman also stands out for his “competitive spirit” and confidence. He’s a likely top five round pick this July.

Aleman stands 6-foot-6, 235 pounds and at his best he challenges hitters with low-90s sinking fastballs and snaps off low-80s sliders to go along with an above-average changeup and plus pitchability. There isn't an abundance of arm speed, but the delivery is easy and repeatable, as his durable frame should allow him to maintain a starter's workload throughout a season. After a strong freshman season at Florida International in 2019 and much success in the Cape Cod League last summer (3-0, 1.43 ERA, 37.2 IP, 33 SO), Aleman did not show the same stuff during the junior college season this spring. However, he did perform well (3-1, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 IP, 38 H, 6 BB, 51 SO) during the abbreviated season. He has yet to become a household name, but is committed to Florida for his junior season, and the notoriety should soon follow. With above-average command, high pitchability, and a present average secondary package, Aleman has a chance to develop into a top round starter. And, still just 19 years old, he has plenty of time to improve before the 2021 draft, if not selected early this summer.

11/1/19:A Florida International transfer, Aleman stands 6-foot-6 235 pounds. He shows power in his big frame, challenging hitters with a low-90s sinking fastball and snapping off low-80s sliders to go along with an above average changeup and plus pitchability. The delivery is easy and repeatable, as his durable frame should allow him to maintain a starter’s workload throughout a season. Even after much success in the Cape Cod League this summer (3-0, 1.43 ERA with 33 SO in 37.2 IP), Aleman has yet to become a household name. He has committed to Florida for his junior season.

9/29/19:At 6 foot 6 235 pounds, Aleman is the prototypical pitching prospect in today’s game. In fact, the junior college world should be lucky to have him this year as he could become a household name by next June. Aleman showed power in his big frame as he blew hitters away, coming right after them with an imposing mid 90s fastball and snapping off a low 80s sharp breaking ball. The delivery is almost effortless as his big frame and body should allow him to maintain a starters workload throughout a season. Aleman is as much of a can’t miss prospect as there is out there right now and he will be a fun one to watch this upcoming spring.

8/13/19: After a solid freshman season for the Panthers, Aleman picked apart the Cape Cod League with a 1.16 ERA in six starts totaling 31 IP. During my look, he scattered four hits over seven shutout innings with six strikeouts. At 6-foot-6, 200 pounds there is plenty of room in Aleman’s frame to fill out, develop additional durability and improve velocity. He repeated his delivery showing good balance and a soft landing. Throwing from a three-quarter slot, he featured a quality three-pitch mix; sinker, slider, changeup. The 87-89 mph sinker was kept down in the zone, inducing numerous ground balls. Also showed the ability to reach back for 92 on his fastball as a two-strike finish pitch, usually elevating or thrown inside to right-handed hitters. His slider started slow in the early innings, but eventually flashed average with tight rotation and late action at 78-80 mph during the mid/late innings. It was released from the same window as his sinker, adding deception and making it an even more effective pitch. His change of pace at 80-82 mph was a consistent average pitch with above average command to his armside. Overall, he attacked with his sinker armside and worked his slider away to right-handed hitters. Lefty hitters faced an even greater challenge as Aleman back-footed his slider and while pounding sinkers away and adding change-ups just for fun. He was in total control throughout, throwing 80 pitches, 59 for strikes. With above average command, high pitchability, a present average secondary package and improving fastball velocity, Aleman has a chance to develop into a top round starter. And, having recently turned 19 years old, he has plenty of time to improve before the 2021 draft. (Seifert)Note: During his final regular season start at Cotuit, Aaron Fitt from D1Baseball saw Aleman sit 90-92, bump several 93s and 4s, while touching 95 once.

Florida International recruit. Tall, strong, projectable frame standing at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds. Loose, quick arm with downhill action as he featured a fastball that was mostly 87-89 mph, touching 90 and 91 occasionally along with a 72-75 mph curveball that showed hard break and spin, inducing multiple swings and misses throughout the night. His velocity may have been a tad down that we’ve seen recently but it was a rainy night and he still managed to rack up 13 strikeouts. Was still 88-89 into the fifth and seemed to get stronger each inning. Struck out the side in the second and the sixth (his last inning) by throwing a high percentage of first pitch strikes. Showed command of the zone by walking none and allowing only a hit. The frame and the projection will continue to make him a high follow throughout the rest of the spring leading up to the draft.

Florida International recruit. The 6-foot-6, 215 pound right-hander is not only long and projectable, but also has present strength especially in the lower half. He may have made the biggest splash for himself on the day as he continues to see his stock rise. Not only can you easily dream on the frame, the arm works free and easy as well. There is some length in the back, but he gets down the mound well and his fingers on top of the fastball creating tilt mostly at 90-92 touching 93 mph. The curveball shows a lot of upside as well. When on top it has depth and tight spin at 74-76 mph. Also shows a feel for a 78-79 mph changeup. There is a lot to like about Aleman and wouldn’t be surprised to see him catch some helium in the spring and rise up draft boards. 

The Florida International recruit, has a tall, long frame at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds and comes through a high-3/4 slot with a long arm action. His fastball has above-average arm-side life and ranges from 87-92 mph, sitting mostly 89-90. He also showed the ability to spin a curveball that was sharp at times at 75-77 mph. It flashed 11/5 shape and depth.

Florida International recruit. He has high waist, long legs and arms, which is extremely projectable. The arm is a a little long and shouldered, but works fairly clean with a fastball in the 87-90 mph range. He tends to swing open his lower half and loose some of the angle his would gain staying taller on the backside and the high 3/4 arm action. As he learns his body and how to stay closed longer down the mounds the velocity should make a jump. The curveball worked 73-76 and would get around at times and showed a changeup at 81-83 mph. The longer arm action led to some command issues but the frame is projectable with a high ceiling.

Long arms and legs and an extremely projectable frame, I had heard some big velocity has been seen from Aleman. At the tryout he sat 89-91 mph with his fastball from a high 3/4 slot with not a lot of effort. He does not get a ton of extension and when he does the velocity will jump and be more consistent. The curveball had a quality shape at 74 mph and a changeup at 79-81. Big projection from Aleman and will look to make a big jump.