40 Man Roster Review: Introduction, Kevin Chapman

I intend on publishing a player profile nearly every day for the next 47 days. That is, on February 16, there are 47 days until the Astros embark on their 2016 season. A 12:05 first pitch is scheduled in New York against the Yankees.

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First up is relief pitcher Kevin Chapman. Born and raised in Florida, he has played all of his pre-professional baseball in his home state. He was drafted twice prior to the Kansas City Royals drafting and signing him as a 4th round selection of the 2010 Amateur Draft. 

The Astros acquired him in a swap of insurance policies. Humberto Quintero and Jason Bourgeois went to the Royals, while the Astros received D'Andre Toney (appears to be retired) and Chapman.

Chapman has little work in the major leagues and is certain to begin the season with the Fresno Grizzlies. He is definitely a nice insurance policy for the Astros, as he has posted a 3.24 ERA albeit only 47 innings at the MLB level. 

The bulk of his work in the minor leagues suggests that he is limited to relief work in the major leagues. Chapman holds a career 3.59 ERA in a body of 285 2/3 innings pitched across 6 seasons. 

Kevin is a left-handed pitcher who works with a three-pitch mix, offering just a slider, sinker, and change up. These offerings have little variance with his sinker topping out at 93 while his change up sits around 85 miles per hour. 

Entering the 2016 season, Chapman owns 128 days of service time.