March 9, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Scouting Report Updates: 2022 IFA Signings and other offseason acquisitions
For the last few months, we've been updating the scouting reports of many players in the system. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight these updated reports. Today's update focuses on a few players he entered the system this offseason, including the Red Sox three biggest international signees, an intriguing minor league free agent signee and two Minor League Rule 5 picks. These scouting reports are written by Director of Scouting Ian Cundall.
Physical Description: Large, powerful frame. Strong upper body and thick lower half. Filled out, no remaining projection. Fringy athlete.
Hit: Loose hands with an extreme uppercut path. Length in swing causes him to struggle with velocity and leads to a lot of swing-and-miss. Solid bat speed, but struggles to recognize secondary pitches, especially against left-handed pitchers. Takes advantage of mistake pitches with authority. Really struggles against left-handed pitchers. Platoon profile, potential below-average hit tool if limited to facing primarily right-handed pitchers.
Power: Elite raw power. In-game power is limited by an inconsistent hit tool. Has the ability to muscle balls out even when he does not make consistent contact. Power plays best against right-handed pitchers.
Run: 20 speed. Not a part of his game. Base-clogger.
Field: Limited to first base. Below-average glove, limited range. Potential below-average defender.
Arm: Average arm. Adequate for first base.
Career Notes: Born and raised in Mexico, moved to California prior to his junior high school season. Undrafted out of high school. Selected in the 16th round in 2014 after spending one season in junior college. Won the 2018 California League Home Run Derby. Signed with the LG Twins of the KBO for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Summation: Potential solid organizational player. Ceiling of an up-and-down platoon bat. Will likely serve as insurance at the Triple-A level to start the season, but could serve as a short-term major league platoon or bench bat in the right circumstances.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Tall, medium-sized frame with minimal remaining projection.
Mechanics: Effortful, over-the-top delivery. High leg kick.
Fastball: Mid-90s pitch with a high spin rate that will show natural cut. Induces a high swinging strike rate. Really effective against left-handed hitters. Below-average command and control.
Slider: High spin rate with slurvy shape. Also generates whiffs at a high rate.
Curveball: Reportedly has a work-in-progress curveball with hard, late drop.
Career Notes: Twin brother Brandon was drafted by Colorado in 2018. Had Tommy John surgery in 2015. Spent three seasons at Abilene Christian before transferring to Central Oklahoma. Low-bonus senior sign with Kansas City in 2018. After the canceled 2020 season, he missed 2021 due to injury. Selected by Boston in the minor league phase of the 2021 Rule 5 Draft. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up.
Summation: Intriguing Rule 5 pick, with upside as a reliever. Has the build and raw stuff teams look for from left-handers and a track record of getting lefties out. High spin rates on two pitches with high whiff rates make him the sort of player analytically-inclined teams target. Needs to stay healthy and significantly refine command and control to reach his ceiling.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Solid, durable frame. Has some remaining projection.
Mechanics: Clean, high three-quarters delivery. Starts on the third base side. Takes a step toward first base before coming forward. Medium leg kick.
Fastball: 91-93 mph. Tops out at 95 mph. Arm-side run. Command and control need significant work.
Curveball: Low-70s with 11-to-5 break. Emerged as his primary secondary pitch in 2021.
Changeup: Low-80s with arm-side fade.
Cutter: Will mix in on occasion.
Slider: Work in progress.
Career Notes: Horizon League Pitcher of the Year as a senior for Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016. Late-round pick as a senior sign for the Yankees. Not invited to the Alternate Training Site in 2020. Selected by Boston in the minor league phase of the 2021 Rule 5 Draft. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up.
Summation: Potential high-minors organizational depth arm. Ceiling of an up-and-down major league reliever. Wide range of outcomes for someone in the high minors. Stuff improved after moving to the bullpen in 2021. Currently has five pitches, but could stand to pare down his arsenal and focus on two or three. Where his command and control go likely will determine future potential.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Quick-twitch athlete. Average frame for a shortstop, lots of room to grow. Expected to add strength and power.
Hit: Solid contact skills from both sides of the plate. Consistent swing mechanics. As he develops it is expected that he will make more impactful contact. Upside to have an above-average bat with further development.
Power: Currently below-average gap power with average power potential. Needs to add strength.
Run: Above-average runner. Speed improved from when Red Sox first scouted him to when he signed. Could develop into a plus runner.
Field: Projects to stick at shortstop. Solid range, easy actions, soft glove. One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2022 international class.
Arm: Solid-average arm, likely enough to handle shortstop at higher levels.
Career Notes: Trained at Banana Baseball Academy in the Dominican. Considered a top 40 player and among the best defensive players in the 2022 international class. Highest bonus handed out by the Red Sox that signing period.
Summation: High baseball IQ with solid athleticism. The organization loves his potential to stick at shortstop. Offensive upside will depend on ability to add strength. Wide range of possible outcomes.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Larger-sized frame for an infielder. Lots of projection, could outgrow shortstop.
Hit: Potential above-average hit tool. Hits to all fields. Disciplined approach for his age, understands the zone. Has the ability to barrel up on the ball.
Power: Above-average to plus power potential. Already showed a lot of home run pop as an amateur prior to signing. Lots of power upside.
Run: Average speed.
Field: Has the potential to stick at shortstop but some believe he will move to third base early in his pro career. Good hands. Added size could move him off the position.
Arm: Average arm with potential to be a tick above-average.
Career Notes: Trained with Pedro Nivar in the Dominican. Considered a top 40 player and among the best hitters in the 2022 international class. Second highest bonus handed out by the Red Sox that signing period.
Summation: High baseball IQ and makeup. Potential leader. Well-liked by his teammates. The organization believes he has potential to develop into a middle-of-the-order bat. Defensive projections remain to be seen. Wide range of possible outcomes.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Large, sturdy build. Strong. Right build for a backstop.
Hit: Bat-first profile. Solid motions in the box. All-field approach. Good feel for the strike zone for his age. Uses the whole field.
Power: Above-average to better power potential. Sneaky pull-side power
Run: Below-average, not a part of his game.
Field: Average hands. Still raw but organization expects him to stay behind the plate. May get time at first base.
Arm: Reports range from average to strong.
Career Notes: Trained with Jonathan Valdez. Third-highest bonus handed out by the Red Sox during January 2022 signing period. Younger brother of Red Sox minor league outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia.
Summation: Bat-first catcher with potential to stick behind the plate. Wide range of possible outcomes.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Photo Credit: Roberto Ramos, Brian Keller by milb.com and Freili Encarnacion by mlb.com
Ian Cundall is Director of Scouting for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanCundall.