Draft Profile - CF Reymond Fuentes, HS Puerto Rico

[BearSox]

Reymond Fuentes, CF, HS Puerto Rico - 6'0", 160 lbs. (Bats L | Throws L)

 

Scouting Report

Strengths: Could be the fastest player in the whole draft and was clocked running the 60 yard dash in 6.3 seconds. The ball jumps off his bat and could potentially be a .300+ hitter with gap-to-gap power. Has great range and gets good reads from CF. Profiles as a leadoff hitter. Has good pedigree and is related to Carlos Beltran.

 

Negatives: His arm is considered average at best, although it has looked better recently. Has a slight frame and needs to bulk up some. Doesn't have much power and won't hit many homers. Raw?

 

Scouting Report Links

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/i...%3fid%3d4207135

There are only two major moves up from the last ranking to this one. Puerto Rican outfielder Reymond Fuentes, a player I re-evaluated after seeing some video and talking to two scouts who have seen him recently, goes from 85 (which was clearly too low, in hindsight) to 33. The consensus seems to be that he has substantial upside as a hitter, at least for average, and the potential to be a plus defender in center like his uncle, Carlos Beltran....Both Fuentes and Arnett could sneak into the back end of the first round; Fuentes won't last to the end of the sandwich round, and Arnett won't get past the middle of the second.

http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/Articles/Dis...spx?article=543

Fuentes has been the most consistent player in Puerto Rico all year, and ran a 6.3-second 60 in the workout—just surpassing Sierra (who some scouts had at 6.4) for the fastest time at the workout. He also showed an improved arm from center field, which had been his only glaring weakness. Offensively, Fuentes had a good showing in BP at the workout. Despite his slight 6-foot, 160-pound frame, the ball jumped off his bat. In the game, the lefthanded-hitting Fuentes showed a good approach at the plate, hitting a single on the first pitch of the game between shortstop and third against Hector Hernandez, the island's top-ranked lefthander. He also stole a couple of bases by getting good jumps.

http://baseballfactory.com/top100/?page=5 (ranked no. 85)

Fuentes is among the better runners in the 2009 high school class, with reports of 60-yard dash times below 6.5. He has base stealing ability, and uses his speed for outfield range. A solid left handed hitter with some extra base pop at times.

http://forum.newbergreport.com/viewtopic.p...28&start=30

At 6-foot, 160, Fuentes needs to put on weight, but he has exciting tools. Fuentes is strong for his size. A left-handed hitter, Fuentes has 6.3-second speed and knows how to use it. Fuentes recognizes his strengths and plays to them. Fuentes has center field range, but a below average arm. He figures to be an outstanding leadoff hitter. A cousin of Carlos Beltran, Fuentes has rapidly climbed draft boards thanks to a series of impressive workouts of late.

 

Statistics

None recorded/can't find any.

 

Bio

From Puerto Rico and one of the fastest players in the whole draft. Is related to Carlos Beltran (mixed reports on if it's his Uncle or Cousin though). Born February 12, 1991.

 

Video

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_i...tent_id=4521017

 

Projected Draft Slot

Mid-Late 1st Round, won't fall past pick no. 44 (or so I've read)

Player Comparison

Not sure, maybe Kenny Lofton.

My Take

He's been really rising up draft boards lately, and we've been rumored to be interested in him. I don't know if I'd go with him at pick 23 as there seems to be a good deal of risk with him, but if he fell to 38, I'd definitely pull the trigger.

 

Very interesting player, and unfortunately, there isn't a bunch of info out there on him.

[Chisoxfn]

I love him. Absolutely love him. He's right there with Trout for me in terms of prep OFers.

[LDF]

I love him. Absolutely love him. He's right there with Trout for me in terms of prep OFers.

 

 

who is his agent?

[ThunderBolt]

I'd like to see his arm action when he's actually in game. Right now, it looks awful. No accuracy, with too big an arc on it.

[Chisoxfn]

He's a CFer, not having a strong arm won't be a make or break and his arm is consistently improving. His other tools are top notch and with a very live bat he's got a shot at developing some pop.