Ehire Adrianza Scouting Report (2009)
Prior to the 2009 season, Ehire Adrianza received significant prospect buzz as a Latin American shortstop prospect primed for a break out campaign. Due to a slow start, he became more of an afterthought than premium talent which tempered my expectations prior to watching him play.
Physique and Athleticism - At a very lean 6'1", Adrianza will never be a strapping physical specimen. However, he has plenty of room to add strength which could bring his weight up to the 175-180 range. At present, he swims in his uniform, but this should change with time.
In all aspects of his game, Adrianza is very fluid. He looks extremely comfortable gliding both deep into the 5/6 hole and up the middle and has the ability to make difficult plays look easy. His sweeping left-handed swing could be shorter, but his load and swing mechanics were almost as fluid as what he showed on defense.
Offense - With a line of .258/.333/.327, Adrianza was about league average statistically. In game action, Adrianza showed a solid two-strike approach and was able to consistently drop the barrel on the ball. With natural backspin, he showed enough pop for me to project him as a double-digit home run threat should he fill out and add strength. My only knock on Adrianza is his load and swing path to the ball are a little long for a player with a limited power ceiling.
Defense - Adrianza's lapse of concentration in booting a routine ground ball overshadowed an otherwise impressive defensive performance. On other chances, Adrianza showed above average range, solid hands, footwork, and impressive arm strength. Of shortstops I've seen this season, he and Red Sox prospect Oscar Tejeda were the two best defenders hands down. However, all of Adrianza's value is currently tied to his staying at shortstop which adds quite a bit of risk to his prospect status.
Speed - An average runner, Adrianza will swipe 8-10 bags per year in his prime. Defensively, his agility and anticipation, not speed, help him cover plenty of ground.
In seeing Adrianza in person, Adrianza showed the tools and projection for me to rank him as the top pure shortstop prospect in the "Sally". One would be quick to point out both Tim Beckham and Wilmer Flores, and both are better prospects, but Adrianza can and should stay at shortstop long term which is a guarantee I can not make for the other two aforementioned players.
Physique and Athleticism - At a very lean 6'1", Adrianza will never be a strapping physical specimen. However, he has plenty of room to add strength which could bring his weight up to the 175-180 range. At present, he swims in his uniform, but this should change with time.
In all aspects of his game, Adrianza is very fluid. He looks extremely comfortable gliding both deep into the 5/6 hole and up the middle and has the ability to make difficult plays look easy. His sweeping left-handed swing could be shorter, but his load and swing mechanics were almost as fluid as what he showed on defense.
Offense - With a line of .258/.333/.327, Adrianza was about league average statistically. In game action, Adrianza showed a solid two-strike approach and was able to consistently drop the barrel on the ball. With natural backspin, he showed enough pop for me to project him as a double-digit home run threat should he fill out and add strength. My only knock on Adrianza is his load and swing path to the ball are a little long for a player with a limited power ceiling.
Defense - Adrianza's lapse of concentration in booting a routine ground ball overshadowed an otherwise impressive defensive performance. On other chances, Adrianza showed above average range, solid hands, footwork, and impressive arm strength. Of shortstops I've seen this season, he and Red Sox prospect Oscar Tejeda were the two best defenders hands down. However, all of Adrianza's value is currently tied to his staying at shortstop which adds quite a bit of risk to his prospect status.
Speed - An average runner, Adrianza will swipe 8-10 bags per year in his prime. Defensively, his agility and anticipation, not speed, help him cover plenty of ground.
In seeing Adrianza in person, Adrianza showed the tools and projection for me to rank him as the top pure shortstop prospect in the "Sally". One would be quick to point out both Tim Beckham and Wilmer Flores, and both are better prospects, but Adrianza can and should stay at shortstop long term which is a guarantee I can not make for the other two aforementioned players.
