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Physical Description:
Athletic, strong frame. Maxed-out physically. Looks the part.
Hit: Starts vertical and open with his
hands high. Abbreviated leg lift timing device. Quick wrists,
standout bat speed. Little-to-no approach. Free-swinger who will
expand the zone often and rarely walks. Really struggles against
secondary pitches, but when he connects can make hard contact
against fastballs. Below-average hit tool.
Power:
Plus-plus power. Crushes mistake pitches. When he makes
contract, ball flies off his bat. Power plays closer to average
in-game due to lack of hit tool.
Run:
Plus-to-better speed. Moves extremely well for his size. Does
not translate to stolen bases, but rather mostly shows getting
down the line, going first-to-third, etc.
Field:
Fringe-average defensive profile. Struggles receiving and
framing, but average at blocking balls in the dirt. Also has
played left field and first base in the past.
Arm: Plus-plus arm. Excellent pop times to second base.
Quick release. Among the best in baseball. |
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Career Notes:
Signed with Texas out of Colombia. Younger brother Jhoandro was
a catcher in the White Sox system from 2015-19. Was a top 100
prospect in the game on MLB.com’s list from 2013-17, appearing
on Baseball America’s list in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Played in
the 2013 and 2014 Futures Games. Was traded to Philadelphia with
Nick Williams, Matt Harrison, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher, and
Jerad Eickhoff at the 2015 trade deadline for Cole Hamels and
Jake Diekman. Played for Colombia in the 2017 World Baseball
Classic and will do so again in 2023. In February 2019, was
traded with Sixto Sánchez, Will Stewart, and $250,000 in
international bonus slot money to the Miami Marlins in exchange
for J.T. Realmuto. Was traded again in November 2021 to San
Diego for cash considerations or a player to be named, which
became the former. Was a fan favorite with the Padres in 2022,
but was non-tendered following the season. Signed a minor league
contract with Boston in 2023 with an invitation to major league
spring training, reportedly with opt-outs in June and July.
Summation: Projects as a reserve major
league catcher. Lack of hit tool and framing ability makes it
unlikely he can hold down an everyday role behind the plate, but
can function as a serviceable backup. Ideally would be the third
catcher on the 40-man roster who can shuttle between the majors
and minors, but lack of options make that impractical.
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