The Phillies have quite a few 40 man spots up for grabs and have now filled one with 23 year old 6’6″ LHP Elvis Araujo. Araujo was signed as an amateur by the Cleveland Indians in 2007 and became a FA after this year having only just reached AA. He missed the 2009, 2010, and most of the 2013 seasons due to injury (including Tommy John). Araujo has flashed exciting potential at time with a gigantic 6’6″ 215lb frame, a fastball in the mid 90s that can touch 98, and his slider flashes plus. Araujo moved full time to the bullpen in 2014 and has started missing more bats, but his control (6.4 BB/9 in AA) has not been there. The major league deal means that Araujo will be protected from the Rule 5 draft and will have an invite to spring training. He has all of his minor league options left and will likely start in the Reading bullpen. Overall Araujo was one of the more coveted minor league free agents and could be an impact reliever if his control can be smoothed out. He has been very good in Venezuelan Winter League posting a 7 IP 3 H 0 R 2 BB 8 K line while playing on a Aguilas del Zulia team with Phillies Aaron Altherr, Freddy Galvis, Lino Martinez, and Wilmer Oberto.
