2011 MLB All-Star Futures Game Roster Review: World Team Hitters
Finishing up our look at the 2011 MLB All Star Future Game rosters, we look at the hitters on the World Team.
Wilin Rosario, C, Colorado Rockies: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2006. Hitting .247/.285/.444 with 12 homers, 12 walks, 50 strikeouts in 243 at-bats for Double-A Tulsa. Has thrown out 36% of runners. Strong defensive catcher with a very good arm, shows power with the bat but strike zone judgment isn't the best. Age 22. Major League ETA: 2012.
Sebastian Valle, C, Philadelphia Phillies: Signed out of Mexico in 2006. Hitting .322/.343/.447 with five walks, 47 strikeouts in 208 at-bats for High-A Clearwater, has thrown out 36% of runners. Solid defender with a good arm, packs considerable punch at the plate but strike zone judgment is substandard and could hold him back against better pitching. Age 20, turns 21 later this month. Major League ETA: 2013.
Yonder Alonso, 1B-OF, Cincinnati Reds: Drafted in the first round from the University of Miami-Florida in 2008. Cuban defector. Hitting .300/.374/.87 with 10 homers, 37 walks, 52 strikeouts in 300 at-bats for Triple-A Louisville. Pure hitter with plate discipline and power, ready for the majors but has no place to play in Cincinnati yet. Age 24. Major League ETA: 2011.
Alex Liddi, 3B, Seattle Mariners: Signed out of Italy in 2005, the first Italian position player to play pro baseball in North America. Hitting .254/.325/.464 with 15 homers, 34 walks, 107 strikeouts in 334 at-bats for Triple-A Tacoma. Features above-average power and improved defense at third base, but excessive strikeout rate leads to worries about batting average and OBP. Age 22. Major League ETA: 2012.
Jefry Marte, 3B, New York Mets: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2007. Hitting .279/.343/.398 with five homers, 28 walks, 55 strikeouts, and 10 steals in 294 at-bats for High-A St. Lucie. Scouts like his raw power and strong throwing arm, but he's error-prone with the glove and hasn't fully blossomed with the bat yet. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2014.
Francisco Martinez, 3B, Detroit Tigers: Signed out of Venezuela in 2007. Hitting .288/.327/.421 with 17 walks, 63 strikeouts in 278 at-bats for Double-A Erie. Strong physical tools in all respects, but has been young for his levels and performance has been spotty at times. Mediocre plate discipline and too many errors, but has good bat speed, power potential, strong throwing arm. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2013.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros: Signed from Venezuela in 2006. Hit a stunning .408/.451/.606 in 52 games for High-A Lancaster, has remained hot after promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi with .362/.388/.57 mark. Career .326/.386/.480 hitter. A very reliable defender as well, has good tools to go with the numbers. Scouts aren't sure what to make of him since he is listed at 5-7 but might actually be only 5-5, but the numbers are amazing. Age 21. Major League ETA: 2012.
Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Tama Bay Rays: Signed out of Korea by the Chicago Cubs in 2008, traded to the Rays in the Matt Garza deal. Hitting .333/.399/.465 for High-A Charlotte with 20 steals, 28 walks, 49 strikeouts in 282 at-bats. Very smooth defensive player, has gap power and good speed, should continue to hit for average. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2013.
Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers: Signed out of Curacao in 2009. Hitting .272/.385/.492 with 40 walks, 35 strikeouts in 250 at-bats for Low-A Hickory. Signed for $1.55 million and has lived up to billing, showing plate discipline, moderate and improving power, and impressive defense. Strike zone judgment unusually good and he's only 18 years old. Major League ETA: 2013.
Jonathan Schoop, SS, Baltimore Orioles: Signed out of Curacao in 2008. Hit .316/.376/.514 in 51 games for Low-A Delmarva, but just .221/.260/.284 in 24 games after promotion to High-A Frederick. Impressive and versatile defender, also has good hitting potential but held back so far by bad strike zone judgment in the Carolina League. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2014.
Chih-Hsien Chiang, OF, Boston Red Sox. Signed out of Taiwan in 2005. Hitting .309/.363/.618 with 14 homers, 19 walks, 48 strikeouts in 246 at-bats for Double-A Portland. Power outburst this year includes 26 doubles. Former second baseman features a good arm and a solid swing from the left side, though overshadowed by other prospects in Boston system. Age 23. Major League ETA: 2012.
Reymond Fuentes, OF, San Diego Padres: Drafted by the Red Sox in the first round in 2009 from high school in Manati, Puerto Rico. Traded to the Padres in the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Hitting .292/.358/.356 with 34 steals, 28 walks, 73 strikeouts in 312 at-bats for High-A Lake Elsinore. Excellent athlete with some gap power, impressive speed and outfield range. Future leadoff man if he can get on base enough against better pitching. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2014.
Starling Marte, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2007. Hitting .319/.356/.464 with 13 walks, 58 strikeouts, 16 steals in 317 at-bats for Double-A Altoona. Outstanding athlete with blazing speed, tapping into his power. Very good glove. Strike zone judgment is shaky but has a career .301 average. Age 22, Major League ETA: 2012.
Alfredo Silverio, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed back in 2003 out of the Dominican Republic. Hitting .311/.335/.566 with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 10 homers, 13 walks, 58 strikeouts in 309 at-bats for Double-A Chattanooga. Always had good tools but development was slow. He improved his plate discipline from abysmal to below average, and as a result he's finally blossoming. Age 24. Major League ETA: 2012.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, Chicago White Sox: Cuban defector signed to $ 10 million contract in 2008. Hitting .322/.364/.528 with 15 homers, 20 walks, 65 strikeouts in 335 at-bats for Triple-A Charlotte. Power to all fields, should produce a solid batting average with plenty of homers despite so-so strike zone judgment. Poor defender at any position and likely a born DH, but he'll hit. Age 22. Major League ETA: 2011.
ORIGINS: Cuba (2), Curacao (2), Dominican Republic (4), Italy, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Venezuela (2).
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