Joseph Colon Tosses Complete Game To Extend Impressive Streak

Complete Game Shutout Over Reading Fightin Phils

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The Cleveland Indians may have something in the 24 year old right hander Joseph Colon.

He showed the type of promise front office executives love to see by throwing a complete game shutout over the Reading Fightin’ Phils in the Akron RubberDucks 12-0 Memorial Day win.

In tossing the first complete game for the Akron franchise since Gionvani Soto’s no-hit 2-1 victory on July 15, 2012 he only allowed three hits striking out four and walking one.

The complete game extends a period of solid pitching for Colon since a poor first start (4.2IP/3ER) to the season.

Over his last nine outings he has posted a record of 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA (10ER/54IP) and has struck out 35 batters, walked 20, and held the opposition to a .204 average against (38 for 186).

Colon was drafted by the Indians out of Puerto Rico in the 12th round of the 2009 draft and missed the 2010 season with an elbow injury. He returned to the mound in 2011 appearing in 16 games (15 starts) between the Indians low-A affiliate Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Class A affiliate Lake County Captains posting a record of 4-4 with a 3.51 ERA).

In 2012 he increased his workload splitting time between the Captains and the Indians high-A affiliate Carolina Mudcats making 22 starts and posting a 9-10 record with a 3.43 ERA>

The injury bug bit him again in 2013 costing him the tail end of the season and limited him to just 17 starts between the Captains and Mudcats finishing with a 5-4 record and a 3.23 ERA.

He seemed to take a big step forward in 2013 as Indians head of player development Ross Atkins said that Colon had the largest increase in velocity of any pitcher in the system.

From Indians vice president of player development Ross Atkins likes Colon’s body control, athleticism and aptitude (cleveland.com).

“All three contributed to his ability to gain velocity in 2013 where he showed the largest velocity increase in our farm system,” Atkins said. “He can match that velocity with incredible feel to pitch. He’s advanced at cutting and sinking the baseball at this point in his career.”

 Video: Colon Records K For Final Out Of Complete Game