Aroldis Chapman is the Cuban defector that the Cincinnati Reds signed and no one else did.

Much has been written about him, as would be expected when you have a left-handed starter who routinely touches 100. The list of left-handers with that kind of speed pretty much starts and ends with Randy Johnson. There’s lots of buzz, but the Reds seem to be handling his promotion to the majors with due consideration.

Here are a couple videos from game 7 against the Dodgers. The first clip is a wide view, showing Chapman executing his fairly smooth delivery and delivering all the way to the plate.

One thing that I found most impressive about Chapman was how long his stride is. At 6 feet, 5 inches, I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that he’d have a long step from the rubber. But to see his foot reach all the way to the edge of the stepping spot was pretty awesome. Not as awesome as him mowing down Dodgers hitters, but close.

As much as I would love him to develop in the minors and became awesome for the Reds, I’m also terrified he’ll get injured before ever making it to the show. I’d hate to be the Reds brain trust for this decision.

Boxscore

Bronson Arroyo started for the Cincinnati Reds, but Aroldis Chapman again drew the attention.

People crowded underneath the stands behind home plate–yours truly included–to get an up-close look at one of those rarest of wonders: a left-hander with a 100 mile per hour fastball. Unfortunately, the bare-bones Dodgers spring training facility had no pitch-speed on the scoreboard, and I had left my radar gun unpurchased at the store. So I could only guess as to the speed of Chapman’s pitches. He threw hard and fast, though.

Chapman’s off-speed stuff was fast, too. And he had all of the hitters swinging late. He ended up striking out 2 and allowing no runs over 2 innings.

Jonny Gomes provided the offense for the Reds, hitting a two-run shot in the 4th. That would have been all Cincy needed, if not for a late rally by the Dodgers in the 9th. Thankfully, Chris Heisey had hit a solo shot in the 6th, insuring the Reds lead and keeping pace with Gomes in the race for left field.

[slide]

Just arrived at Camelback ranch where the Dodgers will be hosting the Reds in a few minutes.

The Red Hot Mama crew woke up at 3:30am after a very relaxing 4 hours of sleep to head to the airport and catch a flight to Phoenix, Arizona.

Now, we’re sitting in our hotel room, thanks to being able to check in super-early, getting ready to go see our first baseball game of 2010. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re quite excited. Especially since Aroldis Chapman is supposed to pitch today against the Dodgers. If his stuff is as good as his smile, he could make things very interesting for the Reds.

Boxscore

Game two of the 2010 spring training season saw the Reds losing by somewhat less of a margin to the same team they lost to the day before. So I guess that’s a step in the right direction.

Though these first couple games haven’t exactly been what Redsland would prefer to see, I have really liked the fact that they’re facing some actual competition in preparing for the regular season. Years of being 20 minutes away from the Pirates spring training facility may not have served the team as well as it might have.

But anyway, it was young Johnny Cueto’s turn on the mound. He lasted for two innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk. Arther Rhodes, Francisco Cordero, Travis Wood, some guy named Leake, and–what the hell, Kip Wells is still with the Reds??–fared better and allowed zero runs on two hits among them.

The Reds’ out-hit the Indians 9-7 but could only convert two runs. Valaika and Cairo were the two to actually cross the plate.

Monday’s game was canceled due to rain. (That’s right: it was raining in the desert. In fact, it was the same damn temperature there as it was in Indianapolis. Can’t wait to fly out there on Friday and hang by the pool in the 50 degree weather.) They’ll be back in action tomorrow as Bronson Arroyo takes the mound against the Royals.