Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Born in Cuba, Aleman moved to Florida with his parents when he was 11. After attending the same high school where the late Jose Fernandez and Tigers prospect Alex Faedo also pitched, he headed to Florida International for college, starting there as a freshman and then pitching well in the Cape Cod League. He transferred to St. John’s River Community College for 2020 and then moved to the University of Florida for the 2021 season, where he both relieved and started with mixed results.

The 6-foot-6 Aleman was more of a sinker-slider type of pitcher at St. John’s, but a change to focusing on four-seamers up in the zone has meant more velocity with his fastball. He’s touched 98 mph this year, averaging just over 93 mph and showed he can maintain his velocity deep into starts at times. He can miss bats with his slider, but because of a long arm swing behind him in his delivery, he has trouble staying on top of it consistently.

While Aleman throws hard, his fastball has had a tendency to get hit up in the zone because he doesn’t command the pitch well enough, leading some to think he might need to go to the sinker, which still can get ground balls, more at the next level, where he could be a sinker-slider type reliever.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

A 38th-round pick by the Braves out of a Florida high school in 2018, Aleman bounced from Florida International to St. John's River (Fla.) CC to Florida over the next three years. He continued to intrigue scouts but never had consistent success, finally turning pro as a 10th-rounder in 2021. He found his niche as a full-time reliever last year and was spectacular following a July promotion to Double-A, where he didn't allow an earned run while posting a 38/5 K/BB ratio in 24 innings. 

Aleman's stuff improved in shorter stints, especially in the second half of 2023. His fastball averaged 96 mph for the year and sat at 96-99 while reaching 101 with a flat approach angle and tough carry. His mid-80s slider became sharper and was a wipeout pitch at its best. 

Aleman wasn't nearly as effective in High-A, so he'll have to prove he can sustain his stuff and success over a full season and against move advanced hitters as he moves up. The Guardians have helped him clean up his delivery and improve his direction to the plate, but he still throws with a lot of intensity. He'll have to work on fielding his position after making six errors in eight chances a year ago.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/19/2024	Cleveland Guardians selected the contract of RHP Franco Aleman from Columbus Clippers.
	11/19/2024	Cleveland Guardians activated RHP Franco Aleman.
	08/13/2024	Columbus Clippers activated RHP Franco Aleman from the 7-day injured list.
	08/13/2024	RHP Franco Aleman roster status changed by 16U Blue Team.
	05/09/2024	Columbus Clippers placed RHP Franco Aleman on the 7-day injured list.
	03/29/2024	RHP Franco Aleman assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron RubberDucks.
	03/13/2024	RHP Franco Aleman assigned to Cleveland Guardians Prospects.
	01/19/2024	Cleveland Guardians invited non-roster RHP Franco Aleman to spring training.
	07/01/2023	RHP Franco Aleman assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Lake County Captains.
	07/01/2023	Akron RubberDucks activated RHP Franco Aleman.
	04/05/2023	RHP Franco Aleman assigned to Lake County Captains from Lynchburg Hillcats.
	02/28/2023	RHP Franco Aleman roster status changed by Cleveland Guardians.
	07/23/2022	Lynchburg Hillcats activated RHP Franco Aleman from the 7-day injured list.
	06/30/2022	Lynchburg Hillcats placed RHP Franco Aleman on the 7-day injured list.
	04/08/2022	RHP Franco Aleman assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats.
	07/24/2021	Cleveland Indians signed RHP Franco Aleman.