José Francisco Capellán (born on January 13, 1981 in Cotuí, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Houston Astros organization. Previously, Capellán played with the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals. He bats and throws right-handed. He throws a fastball that has been clocked at 100 MPH.^{[citation needed]}

In 2004, Capellán pitched at Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A and posted a combined 14–5 mark with a 2.80 ERA. In three games with the Atlanta Braves after a September call-up in 2004, Capellán compiled a 0–1 record with an 11.25 ERA in 8 innings.

A highly-touted prospect, Capellán was acquired after a rapid rise through the Braves' system in exchange for All-Star reliever Dan Kolb.

Capellán opened the 2005 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, and was called up to Brewers major league club, where he worked relief through the 2005 season. At the end of spring training in 2007, he was sent back to Triple-A after a poor spring, and demanded a trade and even considered retirement. His wish eventually came true on July 1, 2007, when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Chris Cody.

Capellán was traded from Detroit to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Denny Bautista on December 4, 2007. On May 5, 2008, Capellan was released by the Rockies after being designated for assignment. In late June, Capellan signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and became a free agent after the season.

Capellan signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on January 14, 2009, and was invited to spring training.

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from ESPN, or Baseball-Reference