Francisco Peguero

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #8 prospect in 2013
  Peguero's career was slowed when he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee just before the start of the 2011 season and again during the offseason. He had the worst season of his seven-year pro career in 2012, though he put together a 22-game hitting streak in Triple-A that ended one day before he received his first big league callup. The Giants used him in pinch-running situations and took him along in the postseason even though he wasn't on the active playoff roster. Peguero still has the most exciting combination of speed and power in the system, along with perhaps the best bat speed. He is a high-energy, hyper-aggressive hitter reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval, even if their body types are nothing alike. Peguero is an exceptional athlete with the plus speed needed for center field and a cannon arm that fits in right. He hits the ball a long way in batting practice but is still learning to implement his power at game speed. He hurts himself by being too aggressive at the plate, and he'll need to develop a better gameplan and adjust when pitchers challenge him on the inner half. San Francisco is anxious to see how Peguero will perform against Triple-A pitching when he's fully healthy in 2013. He has the tools to profile as a regular, but he'll need better strike-zone awareness to be able to stick in a major league lineup.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #5 prospect in 2012
  The most tooled-up player in the system, Peguero missed nearly two months in 2011 after requiring arthroscopic surgery on his left knee at the close of spring training. He batted .312/.332/.445 when he returned, nearly matching his previous career numbers, and was running much better by season's end. Peguero goes to the plate in attack mode. He covers the zone well and doesn't get overpowered by premium velocity. His hyperaggressiveness figures to be exploited as he advances, so it's important that he learns to work counts and hunt pitches. Peguero hasn't hit many homers in the minors, but the ball jumps off his bat and his power is still emerging. The Giants moved him from center to right field, where his well above-average arm is a terrific fit, in 2011. He's a plus defender and started to play with more confidence on his knee later in the year, taking more aggressive angles on balls. Dave Machemer, who managed him two years apart in low Class A and Double-A, says Peguero is a dramatically improved player with much greater on-field awareness. If he continues to file away the rough edges, he could be an asset at AT&T Park, where right field is extra tricky. He made up some at-bats in the Dominican Winter League and will head to Triple-A in April.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #4 prospect in 2011
  Peguero concluded 2009 by winning MVP honors in the high Class A California League playoffs, and he helped San Jose win another title in 2010. After a slow start, he batted .372 in the second half and .350 in the postseason. He also led the league with 16 triples, provided quality outfield defense and appeared in the Futures Game. Peguero has the best blend of power and speed in the system, and he might be the most energetic player too. In some ways, he's reminiscent of a more compact Vladimir Guerrero. Peguero has terrific plate coverage that suits his aggressive style, and he has learned to turn on pitches in hitters' counts. His lack of patience hasn't worked against him yet, but he'll have to lay off better breaking pitches as he moves up the ranks. Peguero has easy plus speed but still has a lot to learn on the basepaths after getting caught stealing 22 times in 2010. His speed, excellent instincts and well above-average arm make him a long-term option in either center or right field. He played winter ball in his native Dominican, which should be good preparation for making the jump to Double-A Richmond in 2011. With Gary Brown now in the organization, Peguero's future in San Francisco figures to come in right field.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #10 prospect in 2010
  Few players excite Giants minor league coaches more than Peguero, but a hernia forced him to spend most of the first two months of the 2009 season in extended spring training. When he finally got back on the field, he needed just a handful of games to show he didn't belong in short-season ball. After an impressive run in low Class A, he was called up to San Jose for the Cal League postseason and won playoff MVP honors. Peguero's high-energy play, enthusiasm, lightning-quick bat and ability to make contact remind San Francisco of Pablo Sandoval. Unlike the pudgy Kung Fu Panda, Peguero is a quality athlete who covers ground in center field and has a plus-plus arm. He's an above-average runner who will sprint to first on a checked-swing roller to the mound. Peguero likes to take an inside-out swing and won't hit for more power until he gets his hands inside the ball. Like Sandoval, he's hyperaggressive and sometimes does himself a disservice by failing to wait for a better pitch to hit. Peguero won an award as the most inspirational player in the Giants' instructional league camp and should become a fan favorite at San Jose. Peguero was added to the 40-man roster this winter and if he continues to develop at this pace, he could be ready for a big league opportunity by the end of 2011.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #22 prospect in 2009
  Few players have a package of tools that excite the Giants more than Peguero. There's no nepotism involved, as he's not directly related to Giants international scout Pablo Peguero, who happened to sign him. When Peguero made his domestic debut last season, officials had the Dominican outfielder jump straight to low Class A. He had a so-so showing there, but really came into his own when he took a step back to short-season Salem-Keizer when the Northwest League season opened in June. He has high upside with four solid tools and emerging power. For now, Giants coaches confidently predict he'll be a 30-doubles guy in the near future. Peguero plays the game with great energy and enthusiasm, running out every grounder like a young Robin Yount. His swing is a little long and he'll need time to learn the strike zone and cope with quality offspeed pitches. He can handle all three outfield positions and will gravitate toward right field because of his above-average arm strength. If he appears ready this spring, the Giants could again challenge Peguero by starting him out in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2011
  Peguero had preseason surgery on his right knee that delayed his EL debut until June, and he still wasn't 100 percent right after his return. He ran stiffly despite showing average-to-plus speed, and the knee bothered him when he had to cut and change direction in the outfield. That didn't stop him from keying the Flying Squirrels' second-half playoff run, which ended in a finals loss to New Hampshire. Peguero's swing isn't pure, but he has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He projects to have average power that he'll tap into it more with a bit more patience. When healthy, he's a legitimate stolen-base threat. Though he was tentative at times this season in right field, he can be a quality defender and has an above-average arm.
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  Ranked California League #11 prospect in 2010
  Peguero worked his way up to San Jose last season in time for the playoffs and made an immediate impact, earning MVP honors as the Giants won their first of back-to-back titles. He got off to a slower start in his return to San Jose in 2010 before hitting his stride in midseason. He again paced the Giants in the postseason with a .350 average. Speed is the key to Peguero's game. He goes from the right side of the plate to first base in 4.0 seconds and will become an even bigger threat on the basepaths as he refines his basestealing ability. His quickness also gives him the range to play in center field, and he has the arm strength for right field. Peguero is a free swinger who has a knack for putting bad balls in play. He struggled with breaking pitches early in the season but made adjustments that resulted in a .372/.404/.537 line in the second half. The ball jumps off his bat, and a more disciplined approach could result in average or better power down the road.
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  Ranked Northwest League #8 prospect in 2009
  Pegeuro hit .353 this season, including a .394 average during three weeks at league champion Salem-Keizer sandwiched between two stints at low Class A Augusta. He plays to his strengths, hitting line drives and grounders so he can take advantage of his plus speed. He turns singles into doubles and goes from first to third or second to home with ease. "You get him on second base with two outs, and you know he's going to score on a base hit in any park," Salem-Keizer manager Tom Trebelhorn said. Peguero's power is his lone below-average tool, but he has the raw strength to one day hit 10-15 homers per year. He covers enough ground to play center field, and his arm is strong enough to fit in right. He gets the most out of his ability, playing with great intensity.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Peguero's career was slowed when he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee just before the start of the 2011 season and again during the offseason. He had the worst season of his seven-year pro career in 2012, though he put together a 22-game hitting streak in Triple-A that ended one day before his first big league callup. The Giants used him in pinch-running situations and took him along in the postseason even though he wasn't on the active playoff roster. Scouting Report: Peguero has the most exciting combination of speed and power in the system, along with perhaps the best bat speed. He is a high-energy, hyper-aggressive hitter reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval, even if their body types are nothing alike. Peguero is an exceptional athlete with the plus speed needed for center field and a cannon arm that fits in right. He hits the ball a long way in batting practice but is still learning to use his power at game speed. He gets too aggressive at the plate, and must develop a better gameplan when pitchers challenge him on the inner half. The Future: San Francisco is anxious to see how Peguero will perform against Triple-A pitching when he's fully healthy in 2013. He has the tools to profile as a regular, but he'll need better strike-zone awareness to be able to stick in a major league lineup.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The most tooled-up player in the system, Peguero missed nearly two months in 2011 after requiring arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He batted .312/.332/.445 when he returned and was running much better by season's end. Scouting Report: Peguero goes to the plate in attack mode. He covers the zone well and doesn't get overpowered by premium velocity. His hyper-aggressiveness figures to be exploited as he advances, so it's important that he learns to work counts and hunt pitches. Peguero hasn't hit many homers in the minors, but the ball jumps off his bat and his power is still emerging. The Giants moved him from center to right field, where his well above-average arm is a terrific fit, in 2011. He's a plus defender and started to play with more confidence on his knee later in the year, taking more aggressive angles on balls. The Future: Dave Machemer, who managed him two years apart in low Class A and Double-A, says Peguero is a dramatically improved player with much greater on-field awareness. If he continues to file away the rough edges, he could be an asset at AT&T Park, where right field is extra tricky. He made up some at-bats in the Dominican Winter League and will head to Triple-A in April.