Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Beloit, Wis. – One of Chicago’s top pitching prospects, Andresa Frederico, injured his shoulder in an April 4 game between the AA Beloit Blue Sox and Providence Bees and will be lost to the Sox for about four months.
Andresa Frederico
The 21-year-old right-hander reached for his shoulder after throwing a 93-mph fastball that Mota swung on and missed to take the count full for the at-bat, but waived off the training staff. Frederico threw one more pitch – a changeup that didn’t even reach the plate – and winced in obvious pain.
Mota took first with a lead-off walk, and Frederico was taken out of the game and directly to a Providence hospital for an MRI on his shoulder.
The news came back the next morning: a torn labrum and an extended stay on the Injured List.
“This is a real shame,” said Beloit Manager Javier Montero. “Andresa was poised for a tremendous season after impressing everyone in Spring Training this year with the big club.”
In fact, Chicago GM Vic Caleca had wrestled with the idea of taking Frederico north with the team, but opted to give the youngster another season of development and a chance to work with Beloit pitching coach Dave James.
“We held Andresa out of the Florida Prospect League in the fall for fear of overworking him – and now this,” said Caleca.
Frederico was placed on the 60-day IL, and his spot on the Beloit roster was filled by SP Felipe Méndez, who started the season with the Class A Grand Junction Gold Sox. Mendez lost his first start of the season, going 8.0 innings and allowing 8 hits, 2 runs, and 1 walk while striking out 11.