Chapman starts Wednesday at PNC Field
Chapman, 22, defected from Cuba in July 2009 before the start of the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He established residence in the Principality of Andorra, making him a free agent eligible to be signed by any Major League team.
In January he agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year contract with the Reds.
Chapman entered the 2010 season with rave reviews from scouts and other baseball experts. He and Washington Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg, are considered the two top pitching prospects in all of baseball.
He may be best known for his blazing, and sometimes wild, fastball. According to published reports he once threw a pitch that reached 102 miles per hour to break Maels Rodriguez' record for the fastest in Cuban baseball history.
The start on Wednesday will be just his fourth of the season, all with the Louisville Bats. In his first three starts he is 1-1 with a sparkling 0.60 ERA. In 15.0 innings he has allowed just 9 hits while striking out 18. He has also walked 10 men.
Tickets for Chapman's start are available online at www.swbyankees.com, by calling 570-969-2255 or in person at the PNC Field Box Office.