I've got another debate over at Around the Horn Baseball, this time with the head honcho over at ATH Baseball, Mike Caradano. Today's topic is Aroldis Chapmant. I'm arguing that he's shown no signs of actual readiness to pitch at the big league level, and needs to get better control of his wicked heat. Mike argues that Chapman is the extraordinary talent that can and should learn on the job in the big leagues. Here's the beginning of my piece:

When Cincinnati won the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes this January, many observers winced recognizing that the Reds would be feeding a good young arm into the gaping maw of Dusty Baker. Baker represents the Nolan Ryan school of pitching philosophy. Give them the ball and let them throw. That in part led to Homer Bailey's inclusion in the list of players who may suffer from the Verducci Effect. Though no fault of Baker's, Edinson Volquez, the Reds' fireballing righty, came up lame last season and underwent Tommy John surgery. Another young pitcher, Johnny Cueto, has tantalized with flashes of dominance and frustrated with periods of inconsistency. All these young pitchers and Dusty Baker make for a volatile mix, precisely because when last entrusted with talented young pitchers, Mark Prior happened.

Click here to take a gander at Mike's point and then read the rest of my counterpoint. I'll be responding to questions in the comments over there.

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