Forums » Suggestions

Inside The Rangers Prospect Watch No. 9

    • 358 posts
    December 4, 2022 7:45 AM EST

    Born: October 29, 2002Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6'1" Weight: 170 Drafted: Signed in 2019, Venezuela Team: N/AOther Team Rankings: Baseball America (5), MLB Pipeline (N/A)Career Joe Smith Jersey StatisticsMaximo Acosta has not made his profe sional debut yet.Player BioAcosta was signed out of Roberto Vahlis' program in Venezuela. His $1.65 million signing bonus doesn't quite match Bayron Lora's $3.9 million, but Acosta is quickly turning a lot of heads since signing with the Rangers in 2019.StrengthsAcosta is only 17 years old, but he already has no gaping holes in his skill set. He's a well-rounded player that has multiple plus-tools. His development has impre sed multiple Grant Hill Jersey scouts, including some on Baseball America to compare him to the Yankees' . Needle s to say, he has a very high ceiling.He has a quick and compact stroke and repeats it quite well. There aren't a lot of moving parts in his swing, which helps him consistently barrel the ball well. He stays inside the ball and can spray the ball acro s the whole field. It's a very fluid swing, giving him the ability to control the strike zone and make adjustments.There isn't a ton of power yet, but he can hit the gaps. Power can develop later on as his body matures. Because of his natural hitting ability, he could eventually develop enough power to be a very dangerous threat at the plate.He is very fundamentally sound defensively, specifically in his footwork, to go along with plus speed and and plus arm. He makes good decisions and doesn't Dennis Rodman Jersey take too long to make them. He's athletic, which aids him with his range at the shortstop position.Scroll to ContinueWeakne sesHe has a larger-than-normal lower half than most shortstops, which could prevent him from Henry Ellenson Jersey becoming an elite defender. While he has the tools to be very sound defensively, his ceiling appears to be limited at what he can do physically at shortstop.He has a good amount of speed, but needs to develop on the baselines. He may never become a prominent base-stealer, but could become a better baserunner through physical and mental development.If his power never fully develops, his ceiling as a hitter could be limited. He already has potential to be a very solid hitter Chauncey Billups Jersey and developing power could make him a very dangerous hitter.With having a very high ceiling, how well he develops is crucial. He has loads of potential, but has a few i sues to focus on to make him a potentially great player in the future.FutureAcosta has yet to make his profe sional debut, but is advanced well enough to likely change that in 2020. The most likely destination for him is in the Rookie-level Arizona League.Read on our #10 prospect, Sherten Apostel.