Jose Iglesias - Top 100 prospect?

by Slinger on Oct 20, 2025 6:08 PM EDT

I got into a bet today with a friend of mine on whether Jose Iglesias is a top 100 prospect (The actual bet is whether he will be in BA's top 100 this year)

Only time will tell on the actual bet, but in the meantime I seek the wisdom of the commenter's on this site: given the reports on his defense (I believe Keith Law recently tweeted that watching Iglesias take infield was like "watching baseball porn") at a premium position, is his bat 'good enough' to get him in the top 100?

Or maybe better asked, considering the power is almost nonexistent, he really doesn't walk much, and he's not a 'speedster', is his defense good enough to carry his bat into the top 100?

He did hit .295 and swiped 7 bags this year between Lowell and Portland, and is off to a .318 average with 2 SB's through 6 games in the AFL (I realize this is a small sample size, but considering it's relatively in line with what he was doing the rest of the year, I think it's worth mentioning)

So I implore you, is Iglesias in your personal top 100? Will he be in BA's top 100? What should be my beer of choice be when my buddy pays off this bet?

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I'd be shocked

if he isn’t in BA’s Top 100. As for beer of choice, I have to know more on your tastes.

by toonsterwu on Oct 20, 2025 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

Beer

Nothing like drinking the worlds strongest beer out of a squirrel.

http://beerutopia.com/2010/07/23/750-beer-stuffed-in-a-squirrel/

by jbg3004 on Oct 21, 2025 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm guessing...

50-70 range for BA. As for beer, Leinenkugel Classic Amber!

by gghulsebus on Oct 20, 2025 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I immediately thought the same range, though I was thinking more 55-80

As for the beer, a few recommendations. Brother Thelonious is one of the best beers I’ve ever had, a nice Belgian Style Abbey Ale

Hooker Liberator was one of the top beers in the US a few years ago, I don’t know if it’s still around, but it was truly excellent

I love Brooklyn Brown Ale, depends on which part of the country you’re in as to whether or not you can find it

Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew is something I just tried and loved. The name is kickass, the beer is also excelllent. Only sold in 40’s, I believe. If anyone sees this at their local beer mart, do yourself a favor and pick it up!

-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!

by Jgaztambide on Oct 20, 2025 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds about right

He’ll easily make the BA top 100, and would mine as well. Doesn’t have a superstar ceiling, but he’s probably the best defensive SS prospect in the game, and looks like he can swing a competent bat. Worst case, he can at least be the next Rey Ordonez, more optimistically something like Jason Bartlett with an even better glove seems feasible.

by goldenblack on Oct 20, 2025 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

yes he will be top 100

Now onto the important part…

I personally would go with something in season, such as Shipyard Pumpkinhead. If you really want a good beer, I’d try and get some Switchback Ale. Not sure where you’re from, but its an awesome unfiltered ale.

by smk1363 on Oct 20, 2025 7:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I hope he's in the right parts of Vermont or New Hampshire...

because I don’t think you can get Switchback anywhere else. Nice beer though.

by PissedMick on Oct 23, 2025 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm, beer...

The easy choice would be Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. Not overly expensive and something that pretty much everyone will like.

If I were given a choice of any beer, it would probably be North Coast Brewing Company’s Old Rasputin Imperial Stout.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by Jeff Reese on Oct 20, 2025 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

Also...

how does Hechavarria’s defense comp to Iglesias? Is Iglesias’s glove that much better? Or are they pretty close? It seems I read reports at the beginning of the year that they were pretty close, but recently I’ve heard glowing reports on Iglesias, but not much info on Hechavarria.

by gghulsebus on Oct 20, 2025 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

Those reports were mistaken from what I understand

Apparently based largely off the early reports that on the junior national team a few years back (when they were like 15-16) Hechevarria played SS and Iglesias 2B. This led to the presumption Hechevarria was better defensively when he first came over.

Jim Callis actually responded on twitter to this question a few days ago:

http://twitter.com/#!/jimcallisBA/status/27376212258

Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Oct 20, 2025 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Comparable, but Iglesias overall better

From what I’ve seen, Hech is more “flashy”, Iglesias is much more steady. I’m inclined to believe Hech is #2 in the minors atm though.

by goldenblack on Oct 20, 2025 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's the impression I've gotten as well

Hechavarria has the tools to be a superior defender, and he’s capable of making some flashier plays, but generally speaking, play-to-play, Iglesias is the more consistently high-quality defensive shortstop.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you're both off on this.

Iglesias is flashier and better from what I understand.

Bullpen Banter
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twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Oct 21, 2025 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Per Law in his 9/23 chat

Klaw (2:18 PM) Iglesias is more sure. Hechevarria is a better athlete, flashier, more highlight ability.

Certainly not definitive, haven’t seen enough defensive footage of either to say myself, but knew I’d seen at least one direct comparison along those lines somewhere. That said, I’ve yet to see one negative on Iglesias in the field, where I’ve seen multiple sources note some bad habits and lapses with the glove by Hech; Iglesias clearly seems the more polished glove by any measure.

by goldenblack on Oct 21, 2025 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Per Law watching Iglesias in Arizona last Thursday

Watching Jose Iglesias take infield practice is like baseball porn

http://twitter.com/#!/keithlaw/status/27365224598

Ten seconds after I tweeted that, Iglesias turned around and fielded a grounder behind his back, just because he could

http://twitter.com/#!/keithlaw/status/27365577355

I’ve heard a ton of other people make similar jokes watching Iglesias’s defense, too. Many were Red Sox people or fans, but still…

Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Oct 22, 2025 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Like I said, not definitive

Saw the above twitter comments beforehand, but obviously those were made in a vacuum, not in comparison to Hech (or anyone else), which is the point here. Regardless, I’m not arguing Hech as the better defensive prospect, nor that Iglesias doesn’t have outstanding range/playmaking ability. Also worth noting that “flashy” isn’t necessarily better; entirely possible Hech could be viewed as more flashy simply because Iglesias makes everything look so easy (better positioning, initial jumps, etc.) whereas Hech may have to compensate more often for poor reads or positioning with acrobatic feats.

by goldenblack on Oct 22, 2025 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Top 100

Somewhere between 80-100 I would guess.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Oct 20, 2025 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Top 100

And ask for Old Engine Oil.

by ThomasG on Oct 20, 2025 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

maybe someone can help me out here

but there was a beer i had once in ny, supposedly a belgian abbey beer, made only once a year. had it in a little bar, a glass was 40 bucks. for the sheer sake of screwing your buddy, that’s what you should ask for … j/k.

by toonsterwu on Oct 20, 2025 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

what city were you in?

Portsmouth Brewery in NH has this draft beer called Kate the Great which is only brewed once a year. Unbelievable brew, but that place sells out of it in no time.

by smk1363 on Oct 20, 2025 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

oh wow...just read the NY part

by smk1363 on Oct 20, 2025 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Everything in the Portsmouth Brewery is spectacular.

by ThomasG on Oct 21, 2025 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

been several years since i've been to portsmouth brewery

but yeah, i was referencing a place in ny. small restaurant/bar on the upper east side, i think. it might’ve been closer to 60 dollars now that i think about it. i actually didn’t love it iirc.

by toonsterwu on Oct 21, 2025 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

top 100 for sure.

as for beer…. i have too many faves. this is the one i crave the most though.

Bell’s Hopslam
i’m an IPA guy

by daveh33 on Oct 20, 2025 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

I'll have to try that one

Every beer I’ve tried from Bell’s has been great. I love the Two Hearted Ale, and the first comment in that link says this beer is like the Two Hearted on roids. Sounds fantastic.

http://bullpenbanter.com

by gatling on Oct 20, 2025 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

it really is fantastic

i wish it was more available in the southeast. alas.

by daveh33 on Oct 21, 2025 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

oh yeah, or Devil Dancer.

these are two that i cannot rec enough…. devil dancer is for men.
12% abv, and 112 IBU, but it tastes/feels like more.

by daveh33 on Oct 21, 2025 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I appreciate the responses

seems like he’s pretty consensusly in the bottom half of the top 100
beer also seems to be a really good conversation starter

anyone with knowledge on it care to elaborate anymore on the bat, am I pretty right on?

Is there any reason to believe he’ll ‘surprise’ with the bat?
Chances the bat holds him back to the point he’s not a solid regular?

by Slinger on Oct 20, 2025 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

We don't really know how much he'll hit

His defensive value will take a lot of pressure off the bat, and he supposedly has quick hands. He’ll probably post a respectable average, but I don’t really know what the rest of his offensive profile will look like.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by Jeff Reese on Oct 20, 2025 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

B prospect. Even if the bat is a little raw he is extremely inexperienced in the American game and guys with this much defensive ability always get a long time to put everything together. It’d be surprising if he’s not a solid regular and that makes him one of the best shortstops in the class. There is a decent chance that he ends up being better than that.

by mrkupe on Oct 20, 2025 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

Delirium Tremens.

Make him spend some coin.

by slamcactus on Oct 20, 2025 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

Borderline...

top 100, IMHO. Definitely not a lock.

by rhd on Oct 20, 2025 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

On the bubble

Could easily slot him into the back end, or not, depending on how you evaluate prospects. A lot of those guys in that range are interchangeable based on slight differences in methodology, anyway.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Oct 20, 2025 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

I'll get blasted for this

but thats the norm. Mychal Givens, has a better career then Iglesias or hechavarria.

"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."

by fourfingerwoo on Oct 21, 2025 4:19 AM EDT reply actions

Isn't he already playing 2B?

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by Jeff Reese on Oct 21, 2025 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Iglesias probably has the path of least resistance to a major league job out of those three players.

For that reason alone, I’d take Iglesias.

by ThomasG on Oct 21, 2025 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he's clearly a top-100 guy

It’s tough to look away from a guy that’s already a plus defensive shortstop with plus contact skills.

Even if he doesn’t develop much power or patience, he can still be similar to 2009 Elvis Andrus most of the time. And that’s still a very valuable player.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

The only thing is

I question whether he actually has plus contact skills. He struck out in over 20% of his plate appearances. Yeah, he was put almost directly up against AA pitching in his first pro season, so I cut him a little slack for that, but regardless of the scouting reports, I’d hesitate to give a plus grade to any player with that kind of strikeout rate.

That coupled with his very low walk rate makes me worry that he just has bad pitch recognition or something. Scouts don’t always recognize this about players and it might be the single most important hitting skill.

Statistically, he looks like he has below MLB average contact skills at the moment. He needs to prove he’s better than that before I’d go that far.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Oct 21, 2025 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean, it's not that different from Andrus, though

Andrus struck out in 17.0% of his PA’s in Double-A as a 19-year-old in his third full pro season. Iglesias struck out in 20.1% of his PA’s in Double-A as a 20-year-old in his first pro season. If Andrus was a top-40 prospect after that season, then I think it’s fair to argue that Iglesias is clearly a top-100 guy.

To me, a 20-year-old striking out only 20% of the time in his professional debut at the Double-A is relatively impressive. I’m not saying he’ll be as good as Andrus, but he’s close enough to warrant a top-100 ranking.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a pretty big difference

Between Andrus and Iglesias, especially when you factor in ARL, which goes in Andrus’ favor obviously.

I’m not saying Iglesias can’t develop plus contact skills in the future, but I certainly wouldn’t give him more than an average present grade.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Oct 21, 2025 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

The ARL isn't that important when you factor in pro experience

A 19-year-old with hundreds of games under his belt would seem to be pretty similar to a 20-year-old with no experience at all whatsoever.

And even if he’s got average contact skills, plus speed and a plus glove, that still warrants a top-100 ranking, no?

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Does he have plus speed?

7/10 SB in 284 PA isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, either in quantity or in SB%. The plus glove definitely seems to be there, though.

Like I said, I think he’s on the bubble for top 100 status. I can definitely see the argument that he’s that good, but I don’t think it’s definitive. His midpoint/most likely outcome right now appears to be something along the lines of Adam Everett. That’s a useful player, but I don’t know if it’s a top 100 prospect.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Oct 21, 2025 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right, that's my bad

Plus speed is giving him too much credit, I guess the Andrus comp started spilling over a tad too much in my head.

But even so, if he can put up a .260/.300/.360 line with +15 defense, that’s at least an average shortstop overall. The glove gives him a really low floor, and even though the lack of power severely limits his ceiling, it’s hard to ignore a guy who’s most likely outcome is an average all-around shortstop.

Not saying he’s a top-50 or top-25 guy by any means, but I think he slips into the bottom half of most top-100’s.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Back and Forth

really enjoyed reading this back and forth - very good stuff, thanks for your input

by Slinger on Oct 21, 2025 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm curious. If Omar Vizquel was in this prospect class, like you KNEW that he was going to become Omar Vizquel... where would you rank him?

This is not a comparison of Jose Iglesias to Omar Vizquel, just a question.

by Humbled Fan on Oct 21, 2025 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

He might be No. 1

Just look at his 18 years of everyday play in WAR order: 6.1, 3.9, 3.7, 3.7, 3.6, 3.0, 2.9, 2.9, 2.7, 2.7, 2.2, 2.2., 2.1, 1.8, 1.6, 1.0, 0.9, 0.1

Over 18 years, that’s one MVP-type season, 10 years as an above-average regular or better, 13 years as a solid regular or better, and 5 years ranging from slightly below-average to basically replacement-level. It’s a great career.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Not saying I disagree or that Vizquel didn't have a great and steady career, but I think #1 would be a bit high for my liking.

Career 48.4 WAR per fangraphs is stellar. Career average of 2.2 per season is pretty cool. Mostly an average MLB player with 10 seasons of 2.7 or better is pretty darn good.

However, he’s going to have a hard time making the Hall of Fame, I think. Do you agree? Not saiyng he’s not a great player because he might not make the Hall, its just a question that I’m curious about people’s opinions.

As for his ranking, where would a young Omar Vizquel shape up amongst his peers? This is a time of Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Kevin Brown, Roberto Alomar, John Olerud, David Justice, Delino Deshields, Larry Walker, Chuck Knoblauch, Pudge Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Jeff Bagwell and a bunch of guys I’m forgetting. I wonder how Omar would stack up if you knew you were ranking him with those guys. And its not just about WAR, certainly I’d take Vizquel over a number of these guys… but there’s a hefty bunch I wouldn’t.

by Humbled Fan on Oct 21, 2025 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I agree.

But if you told me to choose a prospect, and you could guarantee to me that one prospect was going to put up 48 WAR, including a 6-win season, a 4-win season, and 11 seasons between 2 and 4 WAR on top of those two seasons, I don’t know how you don’t take the sure thing.

Yeah, the potential upside of a Trout or a Hellickson is great, but I’d take the guy that I’m positive will be a long-term everyday shortstop with a few All-Star quality seasons.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2025 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

You would really take a 20-year-old Omar Vizquel over Mike Trout?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that… maybe I’m just riskier than you.

by Humbled Fan on Oct 21, 2025 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I probably would if I knew that he'd be as good as Vizquel was

Trout obviously has 6-8 WAR/year upside, but he could also go Corey Patterson (that’s not a comp, the Patterson thing still just pisses me off as a Cubs fan) on everyone.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Oct 22, 2025 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Obviously Vizquel's career averages aren't going to look stellar.

The guy’s played 22 season in the major leagues.

by PissedMick on Oct 23, 2025 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

and don't forget

you’re not going to have him the whole 22 years. Probably just the first six at most.

The wind is in the buffalo.

by journeymen on Oct 27, 2025 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Iglesias: the cuban

One important thing to keep in mind about Iglesias is that he’s coming from a very very different baseball culture: Cuba. Walks are not valued (what’s the saying they have in the DR: You don’t walk off the island) and it can take people a long time to adjust to a different playing style. Happens to Japanese players too.

If anything, I’m encouraged that he can come over and adjust so quickly. He’s not patient (yet) but it’s a successful adjustment in his first pro season

-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!

by Jgaztambide on Oct 21, 2025 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Top-100 for sure, and Shiner Bock.

by nivarsity on Oct 21, 2025 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

He might be fringe top 100 for some, but he's almost certainly going to be comfortably top 100 for the majors lists.

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by alskor on Oct 21, 2025 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

I'll grant this.

He’s a toolsy, high-profile Red Sox prospect, so that’s very likely (whether we like it or not, hype plays a big part in these lists). I’m not even necessarily saying he doesn’t deserve it but I just don’t think things are very cut and dry in 51-150 range in general.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Oct 22, 2025 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions