Hector Luna

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #9 prospect in 2004
  The Indians lost Luna as a major league Rule 5 draft pick for the second straight year in December. After the Devil Rays picked him in 2002 and then returned him at the end of spring training, he went through a funk when he was returned to the Indians and assigned to Double-A. But he turned it around by the end of the season, hitting .313 in July and .407 in August. Luna is athletic and an above-average baserunner who can contribute offensively without driving the ball. He tends to drag the barrel of the bat through the zone, robbing him of power. He needs to use his strength more, and should be capable of hitting double figures in homers in the big leagues. Luna needs to play under control, particularly defensively, where his high error totals are a concern despite his arm, range and hands. He made 35 errors last year, mainly because he has poor footwork and fields the ball too close to his body. With improved consistency, Luna projects as a major league shortstop. If not, he could be a useful utilityman, and the role the Cardinals will use him in as they try to retain him. Rule 5 guidelines mandate that players selected have to be kept on the active major league roster, or else they have to be placed on waivers and then offered back to his original team for half the $50,000 draft price. Because Luna already has been through the process once and was outrighted last year, he'd become a free agent if he cleared waivers.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #27 prospect in 2003
  The Devil Rays always have been desperate at shortstop--remember, this is the organization that traded Bobby Abreu for Kevin Stocker--and have a few years to wait before B.J. Upton is ready. They addressed the position this offseason by getting Rey Ordonez from the Mets in a trade and Luna from the Indians in the major league Rule 5 draft. Luna is athletic and has the range and arm to play any position in the infield. At times he tries to do too much and makes wild throws, which contributed to his high error total (32) last year. He's an above-average runner with basestealing ability, and as such would really benefit from improved plate discipline. His strikeout totals aren't outrageous, but he could benefit by being more selective and taking more walks. If he can learn to play more under control, Luna has a chance to be an everyday shortstop in the major leagues.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #23 prospect in 2002
  Luna is another talented Indians middle infielder who's still trying to prove he'll hit enough to one day be a big league regular. He has some offensive upside with a strong frame, quick bat, good pop for a shortstop and some semblance of plate discipline. Now he has to turn those tools into performance. He has average speed that's enhanced by his instincts, which make him a threat to steal an occasional base. Luna is quick and athletic at shortstop, with the hands, range and arm to play the position. His upside is as a five-tool shortstop, though there's some concern that he may eventually outgrow the position. Where John Peralta winds up to start the season will determine whether Luna goes to Kinston or Columbus.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #20 prospect in 2001
  A product of the Indians' burgeoning Dominican program, Luna is another in the organization's growing inventory of quality middle infielders. His defense is ahead of his offense, mostly because he's already a very accomplished shortstop. He's a solid athlete with quick, soft hands. His glove is his No. 1 tool, but his speed is a close second. He has 48 stolen bases in 121 games in his two years in the system. Luna's bat is still a question mark, and his ability to hit will determine how far he'll rise. He'll have to get stronger to give himself a chance. The Indians will have legitimate prospects playing shortstop at every level of their system in 2001. That includes Luna, who's expected to be the starting shortstop at Columbus.