Age: 21
Born: November 25, 1991
La Romana, DR
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International
free agent (March 2009)

Photo © TJ Lawrence

Scouting Report: Medium framed outfielder, with filled out lower body. Quick wrists generate solid-average-to-better batspeed. Slight upper-cut swing from the left-side of the plate. Tends to create too much topspin when squaring offerings up that reduce carry to line drives.  Improving approach.  Has made strides relaxing in the batter’s box and working deeper into counts.  Can fall into ruts of over-pulling the ball. Fringe-average power potential. Projects as a doubles hitter in higher levels. Average hit tool, but needs work leveling swing to make more consistent contact.  Excels against offerings down in the zone.  Has trouble with fastballs in upper tier of strike zone due to swing path.   Aggressive approach that will need tuning down in higher levels. Originally a center fielder.  Moved to a corner position in 2012 after filling out over the off-season.  Solid-average arm and speed.  Can freeze on contact and take shallow routes to the ball.  Average-to-solid-average defensive potential.  Tends to lose focus from time to time. Needs work with base stealing judgment.  4th outfielder potential on second division team with continued offensive development.

Links
2011 Prospect Preview
2012 Prospect Preview
For De La Cruz, batspeed brings power (6.20.12)
Scouting Scratch: Wrapping up Spring Training (4.3.13)