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Age: 18
Born:
December 2, 1990
Santo Domingo, DR
Height:
6-3
Weight:
180
Bats:
Right
Throws:
Right
Drafted:
Not drafted
How Acquired:
International free agent (July 2007)
High School: Dominican Baseball Academy
ETA: 2013
Photo courtesy of drivfan08
Links
2009 Prospect Preview |
Scouting Report:
A tall, lanky
third baseman, Almanzar is extremely athletic but raw.
He's quite thin now, but his frame looks like it has room to add a lot of
muscle and strength. He signed at the age of 16 and hadn't played
much organized ball prior to his signing, despite the fact that he's the son
of former MLB pitcher Carlos
Almanzar. Offensively, Almanzar has a ton of potential, and showed
off his present tools by dominating the GCL during a short stint at the
age of 17 in 2008. However, he struggled against more advanced
pitching - especially against off-speed stuff - after skipping a level to
Greenville later in the season. Overall, his approach is advanced in
some places and raw in others. He fidgets in the box, and has
an open stance that tightens up a lot after a big timing step. Regardless, he generates a ton of bat speed and has plus plus power
potential. He has some major balance issues as well. On the other hand, he has a very smooth swing, with fluid
movements throughout his upper body. Speed on the basepaths is
average to below average. Almanzar is also a work-in-progress
defensively. He's improved with the glove, but he still plays the
field on instinct over instruction. Can be indecisive on grounders
and long hoppers. His arm is very strong; he has displayed accuracy
throwing to second base, but he can be erratic trying to gun down close
plays at first. Footwork also needs improvement, but the tools are
there. He looks like he can be an above average defensive player
with continued instruction as he works his way up the ladder.
Basically, he's the ultimate raw toolsy player, and the Red Sox are hoping to turn him into a star from the ground up. |
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