Octavio Dotel

OCTAVIO DOTEL - HOUSTON ASTROS

Relief Pitcher
Age: 28 (November 25, 1973)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 175
Throws: Right Bats: Right



HISTORY

Dotel was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Mets in March of 1993. From the beginning, Dotel's fastball was really what caught the scouts' attention. He always accumulated high strikeout totals in the minors but he was also wild and walked too many. Dotel's ascent through the minors was steady and the Mets chose not to rush the fireballing right-hander.

In 1998, Dotel blew away hitters at Double-A Binghamton. In 10 starts, Dotel threw 68.2 innings allowing only 41 hits while striking out 82 and walking 24. His 1.97 ERA and stellar performance got him a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. With his new club, Dotel still was blowing people away. Dotel struck out 118 in 99 innings but he did walk 43.

In 1999, Dotel was the Mets top pitching prospect and he showed why at Triple-A Norfolk. In 70.1 innings, Dotel allowed only 52 hits and 34 walks while striking out 90. Dotel was called up to the majors on June 23rd and made his first major league start against the Braves. Dotel showed flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie year including carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Padres. Dotel went 8-3 in his rookie year but had a 5.38 ERA. Dotel capped off his year by picking up the victory in game 5 of the NLCS against Atlanta.

In the offseason, Dotel, OF Roger Cedeno and P Kyle Kessel were dealt to the Astros for P Mike Hampton and OF Derek Bell. Dotel started the year in the Astros rotation. However, he struggled with his control and went 1-5 with a 5.84 ERA as a starter. In July, he was moved to the bullpen and when Billy Wagner went down with an elbow injury, Dotel took over the closer duties. He saved 16 in 23 chances.

In 2001, Dotel once again started the year in the starting rotation. But in 4 games as a starter, Dotel went 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA. Back in the bullpen, Dotel found his niche as a premier power set-up man in the league. As a reliever, he can blow away hitters with his 95 MPH fastball with movement as well as freeze the best of them with his sweeping curveball. He lead all Major League reliever in strikeouts (128), was fourth in batting average against (.182) and was fifth in ERA (1.93).

THIS SEASON

The biggest offseason news was that Dotel aged by two years like several other foreign born players. In April, Dotel was getting hit hard and his velocity was down on his fastball. In 14 innings, he allowed 3 homers and had a 1.36 WHIP to go along with a 3.86 ERA. After working on his mechanics, he improved in May and was back to his dominant self in June and July. In July, Dotel has struck out 21 in 15 innings of work and sports a 0.70 WHIP and 0.57 ERA for the month.

FANTASY VALUE

Dotel doesn't carry much fantasy value because he's a set-up man. He'll vulture a few wins and pick up some saves when Wagner has worked consecutive nights. If your league counts holds, then Dotel's value goes up significantly. He will help in the ERA, WHIP and SO categories but doesn't pitch enough innings to make a huge impact. In the future, Dotel's value would increase if he leaves the Astros to become a closer or if Billy Wagner gets injured again. Dotel is clearly a dominant force out of the pen as evidenced by his .183 BAA this year. If you are going to have a set-up man on your roster, this is the guy to have.

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Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent