Chapman is a left-handed pitcher who virtually every international baseball scout is high on. His fastball has been clocked as fast as 102 MPH. He also has a quality slider and curveball.

Perhaps best of all — Chapman is only 21 years old. Once he hits the open market, expect a fierce bidding war for the Cuban sensation.

Jose Contreras, another defector from Cuba, received a contract in excess of $30 million. However, Contreras was an older prospect when he signed and his ceiling wasn’t overly high. In this situation, Chapman’s value should be much greater.

Many experts are predicting that Aroldis Chapman will get a contract worth anywhere from $50 million to $75 million.

Aroldis Chapman - Cuba (Image: Zuma Press)

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Aroldis Chapman Defects from Cuba

Since he was free on bail, the judge removed that bail after this latest charge. Leyritz now remains behind bars.

In the DUI manslaughter case, Leyritz was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he got in a vehicle incident that resulted in a death. His trail for that charge is more than two months away.

Leyritz last played in the big leagues in 200. He’s likely best known for his time with the New York Yankees. He played for the Yankees from 1999 to 1996 and then again in 1999.

For his career, Leyritz had 90 homers, 387 RBIs, 325 runs and a batting average of .264. He was born in 1963 in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jim Leyritz Arrested (Image: Zuma Press)

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Jim Leyritz Arrested Again

Last October, Lowell had surgery on the same hip. Since it is a surgery repaired hip, there is some concern surrounding the team. However, this move is thought to be more of a precautionary measure.

On the season, the 35-year-old native of Puerto Rico is hitting .282 with ten homers, 41 RBIs, 30 runs and 18 doubles. Since June 19th, Lowell only has nine at-bats due to this injury. In that stretch he is only 1-9.

Jeff Bailey will be brought up from the minor leagues to replace Lowell. Bailey is able to play in the outfield and at first base.

The Red Sox are currently 47-29. They have the best record in the American League and the second best record in baseball — slightly behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mike Lowell - Red Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

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Mike Lowell Headed to the DL

After the game, Hamilton reported that he felt good. Although he didn’t play in the field, he reportedly looked smooth running the bases.

After being one of the best stories in baseball last year, Hamilton hasn’t been as hot this year. In 35 games, Hamilton is hitting .240 with six homers and 24 RBIs. He also has 20 runs, five doubles, two triples and three stolen bases.

Both Hamilton and the Rangers believe that he could return to the big league level by this coming weekend. If he doesn’t, might start out as the designated hitter and then eventually return to his spot in the Rangers’ outfield.

Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers (Image: Newscom)

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Josh Hamilton Getting Closer to Return

The Indians acquired DeRosa in the offseason in a deal with the Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old DeRosa was playing third base for Cleveland. On the season, he is hitting .267 with 13 homers, 50 RBIs and 47 runs.

The acquisition of DeRosa should help the Cardinals in their fight with the Milwaukee Bucks for the NL Central title. Currently, the two teams are tied atop the division.

For Cleveland, they are in a rebuilding mode. With the worst record in the AL, the Indians decided to trade DeRosa for a player who could possibly help for a number of years. The 23-year-old Perez has a 4.18 ERA and has racked up 30 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.

Mark DeRosa Traded to the Cardinals (Image: Zuma Press)

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Mark DeRosa traded to the Cardinals

On the game, Pujols was 2-for-2 with two runs, four RBIs, two homers and two walks. He’s now hitting .328 with 28 blasts, 74 RBIs, 59 runs and an on-base percentage of .450. He’s leading the entire big leagues in homers, RBIs, runs and on-base percentage.

Against the Twins, Pujols hit a two run homer in the first inning to put the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. After Brendan Harris hit a bases clearing single with the bases loaded in the second inning, Pujols hit another two-run blast in the third inning to put the Cardinals up for good.

With the win, the Cardinals are 41-35. The loss dropped the Twins to 38-38.

Albert Pujols - St. Louis Cardinals (Image: Zuma Press)

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Albert Pujols Smashes Two Homers in Win

The hot-headed Bradley was then told by Piniella to leave the ballpark and go home. Bradley was replaced in the field by Ryan Freel.

The star of the game for the Cubs was Geovany Soto. A day after it became public knowledge that he was busted for marijuana at the 2009 World Baseball classic, Soto hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning that put the Cubs up for good.

Following the contest, both Chicago baseball teams have 35 wins on the season. The Cubs also have 35 losses, while the White Sox have 38 losses.

Despite the argument between Piniella and Bradley, Piniella said that he will start Bradley on Saturday.

Milton Bradley Melts Down (Image: Zuma Press)

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Milton Bradley Melts Down, Cubs Win

Said Soto in a statement released to the media: “While I fully acknowledge my inappropriate behavior, I want to assure my fans and my family that this was an isolated incident. I do not say this to minimize or deflect from my conduct and I fully understand the ramifications of my actions. I have and will accept any and all consequences.”

So far in 2009, Soto has been in a bit of a sophomore slump. He’s hitting just .227 with six homers and 21 RBIs. That said, he’s starting to hit better in June. In fact, he has five of his six homers in this month.

It’s unknown whether the 26-year-old native of San Juan, Puerto Rico will face any disciplinary action from Major League Baseball and commissioner Bud Selig.

Geovany Soto Marijuana Positive Test (Image: Zuma Press)

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Geovany Soto Tested Positive for Marijuana

In the first inning, Alexei Ramirez hit a homer to break the seal. In the third, Jermaine Dye went deep. Josh Fields hit a homer in the fourth. In the fifth inning, Chicago got homers from Paul Konerko, Jayson Nix and a second from Josh Fields.

On the mound, Gavin Floyd went six innings while allowing six hits, two walks and only one earned run. With the win, Floyd improved his record on the season to 5-5. Bobby Jenks pitched a hitless ninth inning to pick up his 18th save.

Despite the loss, the Dodgers still have the best record in baseball at 47-25. The White Sox, on the other hand, are in third place in the AL Central with a record of 34-37.

Josh Fields - Chicago White Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

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White Sox Hit Six Homers to Top Dodgers

The winner of the award will be selected by members of the Angels and will be based on which pitcher was the most outstanding.

Adenhart was killed on April 9th shortly after pitching the best game of his big league career. In six innings, he scattered seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters and giving up no runs. It was only the fourth start of his MLB career.

Andrew Gallo, the man behind the wheel of the vehicle that killed Adenhart and two others, has been charged with three counts of murder. He remains behind bars awaiting trial.

Nick Adenhart Award (Image: Newscom)

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Nick Adenhart Award Created by Angels