There is no way that you can give an accurate or fair evaluation of a minor league pitcher based solely on two Advanced Single-A outings – absolutely none. That said, it’s probably safe to say that the Dodgers might be getting a little concerned about their investment for highly-touted Cuban right-hander Yaisel Sierra.

For those unfamiliar with Sierra, he defected from Cuba in April 2015 to pursue a major league career. On December 28, 2015, he was cleared as an unrestricted free agent by MLB and eligible to sign with the team of his choosing. He chose the Dodgers – to the tune of $30 million.

Prior to his defection, the soon-to-be 25-year-old right-hander spent six seasons in the highly competitive Cuban Serie Nacional with Holguin (2010-14) and Sancti Spiritus (2012), posting a 16-21 record and 4.23 ERA with 25 saves in 131 games (25 starts). Sierra, who was ranked No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Cuban prospects list, also pitched for Cuba’s national team at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games where he helped his team win a Gold Medal.

Dodger fans may remember Sierra as the guy who, after arriving late to spring training 2016 due to visa issues and receiving a tremendous amount of hype, appeared in exactly one major league spring training game – the Vin Scully game against the Giants – where he retired the side in order on five pitches. Because of his late arrival to camp, Sierra remained in Arizona for extended spring training even tough his name appeared on the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers’ roster.

Sierra’s major league spring training debut lasted all of five pitches. It was so short, in fact, that Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully didn’t even have time to talk about him.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

On April 27, 2016, Sierra was promoted to the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the hitter-friendly California League, making his professional U.S. debut three days later on April 30.

It did not go well.

In his debut, Sierra allowed three runs on six hits (including a home run) while walking two and striking out seven in his four innings of work. He made a total of 81 pitches of which 47 were strikes. But the red flag began going up with the number of pitches in the dirt that were skillfully blocked by Quakes catcher Julian Leon – and there were many. And though the Quakes would go on to win the game over the High Desert Mavericks (Rangers) by a score of 7-6, Sierra did not figure in the decision.

Sierra made his second start with the Quakes on Thursday night against the Bakersfield Blaze (Mariners).

It did not go well.

Sierra allowed six runs on eight hits, walked two, struck out five and hit a batter in five innings pitched. Once again there were many pitches in the dirt, two of which went for wild pitches that ended up leading to runs being scored. In his second outing Sierra made 97 pitches, 54 for strikes. This time, however, the Quakes were unable to rally back and Sierra suffered the loss and saw his ERA balloon to an uncomfortable 9.00.

Although the sample size is ridiculously small, Sierra has yet to establish that his six-year / $30 million contract is justified. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

During spring training Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that it was their plan to utilize Sierra as a starter; however, the early returns – and they are very early, mind you – suggest that perhaps he is better suited as a reliever, at least initially. That being said, it is very likely that he will be given several more starts in which he will be given the opportunity to prove that he still might be starter material.

It is worth mentioning that during his limited number of spring training appearances on the minor league side, several scouts had Sierra’s fastball clocked at over 100 MPH. However, during Thursday night’s game, the LoanMart Field radar gun (which is relatively accurate) showed him consistently in the 91-92 MPH range. One has to assume that this is by design to help Sierra with his control. It is also worth mentioning that Sierra’s breaking ball and change-up are both absolutely filthy and the reason for many of those balls in the dirt that often resulted in swings and misses.

As noted, it is way too early to call the six-year / $30 million signing of Yaisel Sierra a bust just yet, but if he doesn’t begin to show signs of improvement – and soon – you can bet that the Dodgers brass (and scouting department) will begin to hear about it from Dodger fans and the media.