CLIFF WELCH
CLIFF WELCH
BA GRADE
75
Risk: High
SCOUTING GRADES
HIT: 80.
POW: 70.
SPD: 40.
FLD: 40.
ARM: 55.
Projected future grades on 20-80 scouting scale
Born: March 16, 1999. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 225. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Ismael Cruz/Sandy Rosario/Luciano Del Rosario.
Vladimir Guerrero hit 449 home runs for his career, which included an American League MVP award in 2004. Vladdy Jr. followed his father around to big league ballparks but grew up in the Dominican Republic and trained with his uncle Wilton, also a former big leaguer. His bat stood out at an early age and he was the No. 1 international prospect when the Blue Jays signed him for $3.9 million in 2015. After dominating the Rookie-level Appalachian League in his pro debut in 2016, Guerrero was just 18 but looked like a man among boys by clobbering two Class A leagues in 2017. At an age when his peers in the U.S. were graduating from high school, Guerrero nearly led the minors in on-base percentage.
Guerrero is a prodigious offensive talent, with the combination of hitting ability, plate discipline and power in the mold of Manny Ramirez. Guerrero has high-end bat speed and outstanding bat control. With hitting mannerisms reminiscent of his father, Guerrero has a compact but aggressive swing. With his hand-eye coordination, he has excellent plate coverage, barreling premium velocity while also possessing the pitch recognition skills to square up all types offspeed pitches, too. He has plus raw power now, with 30-homer years likely in his future and a chance for 40. He drew more walks (76) than strikeouts (62) in 2017 and has the potential to contend for batting titles. A gifted offensive player, Guerrero did not inherit his father’s speed or athleticism. He trained as an outfielder when he was an amateur and figured to be a left fielder at best, but after the Blue Jays signed him they put him at third base. He has surprised scouts with his play there, improving his arm strength to above-average and showing the hands to be a playable defender. However, Guerrero is already so big and stocky as a teenager that it’s going to be a challenge for him to maintain his weight. Even if he moves to first base or possibly left field, his bat is good enough to be a premium player there too.
Guerrero has the upside to be one of the most best players in baseball. He likely will start 2018 at Double-A New Hampshire, and while the Blue Jays are conservative with promotions, Guerrero is in position to possibly make his major league debut by the end of the season as a 19-year-old.
TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE
Year |
Player, Pos. |
2017 Org |
2008 |
Travis Snider, OF |
Mets |
2009 |
Travis Snider, OF |
Mets |
2010 |
Zach Stewart, RHP |
Orioles |
2011 |
Kyle Drabek, RHP |
Atlantic League |
2012 |
Travis d’Arnaud, C |
Mets |
2013 |
Travis d’Arnaud, C |
Mets |
2014 |
Aaron Sanchez, RHP |
Blue Jays |
2015 |
Daniel Norris, LHP |
Tigers |
2016 |
Anthony Alford, OF |
Blue Jays |
2017 |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B |
Blue Jays |
BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter For Average |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
Best Power Hitter |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
Best Strike-Zone Discipline |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
Fastest Baserunner |
Roemon Fields |
Best Athlete |
Anthony Alford |
Best Fastball |
Nate Pearson. |
Best Curveball |
Eric Pardinho |
Best Slider |
Nate Pearson |
Best Changeup |
Ryan Borucki |
Best Control |
Ryan Borucki |
Best Defensive Catcher |
Reese McGuire |
Best Defensive Infielder |
Kevin Smith |
Best Infield Arm |
Richard Urena |
Best Defensive Outfielder |
Anthony Alford |
Best Outfield Arm |
Reggie Pruitt |
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Bluefield (APP) |
R |
.271 |
62 |
236 |
32 |
64 |
2017 |
Lansing (MWL) |
LoA |
.312 |
71 |
269 |
53 |
84 |
|
Dunedin (FSL) |
HiA |
.333 |
48 |
168 |
31 |
56 |
Minor League Totals |
.303 |
181 |
673 |
116 |
204 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Bluefield (APP) |
12 |
3 |
8 |
46 |
33 |
2017 |
Lansing (MWL) |
21 |
1 |
7 |
45 |
40 |
|
Dunedin (FSL) |
7 |
1 |
6 |
31 |
36 |
Minor League Totals |
40 |
5 |
21 |
122 |
109 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Bluefield (APP) |
35 |
15 |
5 |
.359 |
.449 |
2017 |
Lansing (MWL) |
34 |
6 |
2 |
.406 |
.476 |
|
Dunedin (FSL) |
28 |
2 |
2 |
.450 |
.494 |
Minor League Totals |
97 |
23 |
9 |
.401 |
.471 |
|