2011 Stats (AA Akron): 5-6, 4.19, 1.48 WHIP, 6.0 BB/9, 9.9 K/9
Following a stellar 2008 season (12-6, 2.98, 9.4 K/9 across three levels) Kelvin was added to the Indians 40-man roster during the off-season. He has done little statistically since (14-16, 4.67, 5.63 BB/9), including a 2009 campaign during which he pitched fewer than 20 innings due to a severe UCL strain in his throwing elbow. While DLC's stuff (95 mph fastball, hammer 12-6 curve & a solid change) remains impressive, the guy who made his name as "Carmona left" seems to have forgotten how to get groundballs. After averaging 1.72 GO/AO in '08, the number bottomed out at just 0.54 last season. Many suggest that the drop is due to awkwardness resulting from the aforementioned injury. Additionally, Kelvin missed five weeks during the middle of last summer with left shoulder soreness and, upon returning, pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. That transition proved incredibly effective as DLC recorded his first five relief outs via the whiff and posted outstanding numbers (7 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 11 K) that extended into his AAA debut (IP, 11/8 Pitches/Strikes) during a post-season game. Given his relative frailty and the fact that Kelvin has never averaged more than 4.94 innings per start over the course of any season, it seems phenomenally likely that his future lies in the bullpen. The only factor limiting De La Cruz, who will probably begin 2012 at Columbus, on his road to the MLB bullpen will be that of command. In fact, his career BB/9 of 4.9 has actually been about half a walk higher over the past two season. Again, the issue of injury enters the picture, preventing Kelvin from finding a comfortable delivery to repeat with any consistency. In spite of this hurdle, DLC will probably breathe big league air in 2012, though his tenure and level of success will ultimately depend on his ability to overcome it.
Up Next: #20 RHP Rob Bryson
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