Splitter Could Unlock Next Level for Yordin Chalas in D-backs System
Right-hander Yordin Chalas is using the Arizona Fall League to polish his craft and finish developing his splitter, a key pitch that could make him a major league contributor as soon as 2026.
SCOTTSDALE — Yordin Chalas has flown through the Diamondbacks system since signing with the organization in January 2023. The right-handed pitcher ended 2026 with Double-A Amarillo. He aims to finish strong in a big year in the Arizona Fall League.
Chalas relies primarily on a 95-97 MPH sinker and 83-86 MPH slider. Both pitches are platoon-heavy offerings, which leaves him vulnerable to left-handed hitters. That meant developing a useful offspeed pitch was critical for him to reach the big leagues.
Developing the Splitter
D-backs Complex League pitching coach Dylan Olsonawski previously talked about finding the right grip for an offspeed pitch. Ultimately, Chalas settled for a split-finger grip. He said it was not a hard pitch for him to learn at all.
“When I first started learning how to throw the split, it was really comfortable,” said Chalas, with Pirates Strength & Conditioning Coach Omar Aguilar serving as the interpreter. “Once I started throwing the splitter, I just tried to throw it like a fastball, and it works.”
From Arizona Fall League pitch data, these are the average velocity, spin, and movement data.
Velocity: 88.0 MPH (8.2 MPH velo drop compared to fastballs)
Spin: 1590 RPM (750 RPM drop compared to fastballs)
Shape: 3.7” induced vertical break, 6.1” arm-side break
From the data, there’s a healthy amount of separation between his fastball, slider, and splitter. Rhythm and timing are key components to hitting, while pitching is about disrupting that timing. Chalas says the splitter really helps him mess up the timing of hitters. This is especially true for left-handed hitters who focus on his 96 MPH sinker.
Chalas hasn’t thrown many splitters so far in the Arizona Fall League. There’s a clear intent behind its usage, with nine of his 11 coming against left-handed hitters. The sample size is small, with left-handed hitters going 2-for-3 against the pitch.
At the current stage of his career, Chalas has the utmost confidence in his sinker and slider. The splitter is a work in progress, and where it ends up will likely determine his upside as a reliever.
“Right now, I trust my first and secondary pitch, which is the fastball and slider. I’m 80% there with the splitter. Hopefully, once I start climbing the ladder in the minor league system, I’ll be at 100%.”
Even as he’s still figuring out the splitter, he’s still got one of the best arsenals in the Arizona Fall League. Prospect Savant rates Chalas’ overall arsenal with the sixth-best Stuff+ metric.
Arizona Fall League Experience
The D-backs made a consistent effort to accelerate Chalas’ development as a pitcher. They placed him on a starter track to give him more innings plus bullpen sessions he otherwise wouldn’t have as a reliever. On top of that, they sent him out to the Arizona Fall League to make finishing touches on the season.
While his regular-season numbers didn’t jump off the page, his numbers in the AFL are solid. In six outings, he’s allowed just one run in 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts and only one walk.
Chalas has faced some of the top hitter prospects in Arizona. He’s battled Jonny Farmelo, Cam Collier, Ethan Petry, Starlyn Caba, and Brayden Taylor.
“What I’ve learned is that since all the best are here, you have to be just like them. You can’t say that they’re better than you. So thank God and my courage and my effort, I’ve learned that you have to give it your all.”
He will need that same mindset to handle both the best challenges in the minor leagues and the major leagues.
Due to the accelerated development, Chalas has a decent chance of earning his first big league promotion in 2026. He is one of a handful of quality arms that are filtering towards the top of Arizona’s farm system. Along with Chalas, Hayden Durke and Alfred Morillo are two right-handers with big fastballs that could debut next season.