L.J. Hoes

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2013
  Hoes has been on Baltimore's radar since 2007, when he played on the organization's Youse's Orioles scout team in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League as a rising high school senior. Signed the next year as a third-round pick, he tried to make it as an infielder but didn't get his bat going until becoming a full-time outfielder in early 2011. He was the organization's minor league hitter of the year in 2012, when he became the first native Maryland position player to play for the big league club since Cal Ripken Jr. The organization's best pure hitter, Hoes batted .300 in Triple-A as one of the International League's youngest regulars. He has tremendous bat-to-ball skills and laces line drives to all fields. His plate discipline results in high on-base percentages, though the Orioles still are waiting for his power. Hoes is an above-average runner under way, though he doesn't get out of the box well and is working to improve his reads as a basestealer. He's a gliding outfielder who can play center field but fits best on a corner. He has a solid arm. If Hoes develops solid power, he could be an everyday left fielder. After a trip to the Arizona Fall League, he'll get a chance to win a big league job out of spring training.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #5 prospect in 2012
  Frustrated at returning to high Class A Frederick, Hoes got off to a slow start in 2011, so the Orioles challenged him with a promotion. He made an adjustment with Bowie hitting coach Denny Hocking that allowed Hoes to tap into his power. In the final two months, he hit six homers--one shy of his total from his first three pro seasons. Hoes consistently has proven his ability to make contact and hit for average, so instructors were impressed he was willing to try mechanical changes to bring out more power. Baltimore has tried him at both second base and in left field, and he's clearly more comfortable in the outfield. There's split opinion on whether Hoes will have enough power to profile there, but some think his power outburst late in 2011 shows that he will. He also saw time at third base in Double-A, but he doesn't have a standout defensive tool as an infielder. He's an average runner and has an average arm. It's clear the Orioles have something in Hoes, but it's still not clear exactly what that is. The best case is that he's an everyday left fielder, and the worst case is probably a utility player. He'll move up to Triple-A Norfolk to see if his power continues to develop.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2011
  Hoes was in the midst of a breakout season at high Class A Frederick, batting .310/.435/.416 in mid-May, when he developed a case of mononucleosis that knocked him out for more than a month. He didn't hit with the same authority when he returned to action at the end of June, as the mono seemed to sap his strength for the rest of the season. With great balance at the plate and good command of the strike zone, Hoes is going to hit. He has quick hands and uses the middle of the field, projecting as a .300 hitter with gap power and average speed. A pitcher and outfielder in high school, he's still working on the nuances of playing second base. He has average actions and defensive tools, and he improved his fielding percentage from .939 in 2009 to .967 last season. Third base and left field are other possibilities, though his bat wouldn't profile nearly as well there. The Orioles are pleased with Hoes' progress and think he could be poised to consider his breakout in 2011. He'll probably spend the season in Double-A after finishing 2010 there.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #21 prospect in 2010
  Baltimore took Hoes in the third round of the 2008 draft and signed him away from a North Carolina commitment, making a $490,000 bet on his advanced bat. A pitcher and outfielder in high school, he immediately moved to second base as a pro because his bat didn't profile for an outfield corner and his average speed wasn't enough for center field. He never had played second base before and continues to learn the position, from improving his footwork around the bag to working on turning the double play. He led low Class A South Atlantic League second basemen with 28 errors last year, and his .939 fielding percentage was the worst in the league among anyone who played at least 50 games at the position. But the Orioles rate his actions, range and arm as average, and they think he'll be able to hold down the position with experience. Hoes has a good swing and should be able to command the strike zone and hit for average, though he didn't produce good numbers at Delmarva in his first full season. Like Xavier Avery, though, Hoes jumped from Rookie ball to low Class A and the Orioles just liked seeing him battle every day. He needs more instruction and tons of innings as he refines his game, but Baltimore still believes in his as an offensive second baseman. He'll move up to high Class A in 2010.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2009
  Hoes was thought to be a tough sign going into the 2008 draft because of questions about which position he would play as a pro and a strong commitment to North Carolina. Baltimore took him in the third round with the 81st overall pick, and while his bonus was over MLB's slot recommendation, it wasn't a bank-breaker at $490,000. He made a quick impression, batting .308 in the Gulf Coast League, then earning praise in instructional league for his feel for the game as well as his tools. Hoes has an advanced offensive approach and already shows an ability to use the whole field, with good power to right field. He also has patience and a good idea of the strike zone, walking more than he struck out in his pro debut. The work will come on the defensive side. Hoes was an outfielder (as well as a pitcher) in high school, but lacks the power for a corner or the speed to play center, so the Orioles moved him to second base. He made 15 errors in 42 games and has a long way to go as an infielder, but Baltimore is confident he'll adjust because he works hard and likes being on the field. He worked on his throws and his footwork around the bag in instructional league. Because of his advanced bat, Hoes will probably jump to low Class A Delmarva for his first full pro season.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #15 prospect in 2012
  Hoes was one of the league's younger regulars at age 22 as well as Norfolk's best hitter, stitching together a 20-game hit streak at one point. He showed a polished approach and consistent, line-drive swing that fellow Tides outfielder Xavier Avery lacked. What Hoes could use is some of Avery's explosive speed and athleticism. Hoes played some center and right field this season but his defense is best suited for left. He doesn't have profile power for a corner spot, and his basestealing acumen must improve after he went 20-for-32 overall this season. Still, Hoes' combination of bat-to-ball skills, plate discipline and speed could make him an effective leadoff hitter. "I don't check the age of the players before I go in and write my reports," one scout said. "I want to evaluate the tools first. When I saw him, I assumed he'd been in the league before because of his approach at the plate and his polish. Then I saw he was new to Triple-A. That stood out."
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #15 prospect in 2008
  Hoes was a pitcher and center fielder in high school, but the Orioles drafted and signed him for $490,000 in the third round of the 2008 draft with the intention of playing him at second base. He adapted to pro ball with relative ease, finishing the season with a .308 batting average and 15 errors in 42 games. Scouts like Hoes' well-rounded baseball skills and ability to use them on the diamond. He has plus tools across the board and the savvy to go with them. He walked (30) more than he struck out (22) and also showed good instincts on the basepaths.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Hoes has been on Baltimore's radar since 2007, when he played on the organization's Youse's Orioles scout team in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League as a rising high school senior. Signed the next year as a third-round pick, he tried to make it as an infielder but didn't get his bat going until becoming a full-time outfielder in early 2011. He was the organization's minor league hitter of the year in 2012, when he became the first native Maryland position player to play for the big league club since Cal Ripken Jr. Scouting Report: The organization's best pure hitter, Hoes batted .300 in Triple-A as one of the International League's youngest regulars. He has tremendous bat-to-ball skills and laces line drives to all fields. His plate discipline results in high on-base percentages, though the Orioles still are waiting for his power. Hoes is an above-average runner under way, though he doesn't get out of the box well and is working to improve his reads as a basestealer. He's a gliding outfielder who can play center field but fits best on a corner. He has a solid arm. The Future: If Hoes develops solid power, he could be an everyday left fielder. After a trip to the Arizona Fall League, he'll get a chance to win a big league job out of spring training.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Frustrated at returning to high Class A Frederick, Hoes got off to a slow start in 2011, so the Orioles challenged him with a promotion. He made an adjustment with Bowie hitting coach Denny Hocking that allowed Hoes to tap into his power. In the final two months, he hit six homers--one shy of his total from his first three pro seasons. Scouting Report: Hoes consistently has proven his ability to make contact and hit for average, so instructors were impressed he was willing to try mechanical changes to bring out more power. Baltimore has tried him at both second base and in left field, and he's clearly more comfortable in the outfield. There's split opinion on whether Hoes will have enough power to profile there, but some think his power outburst late in 2011 shows that he will. He also saw time at third base in Double-A, but he doesn't have a standout defensive tool as an infielder. He's an average runner and has an average arm. The Future: It's clear the Orioles have something in Hoes, but it's still not clear exactly what that is. The best case is that he's an everyday left fielder, and the worst case is probably a utility player. He'll move up to Triple-A Norfolk to see if his power continues to develop.