Jerry Gil

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #30 prospect in 2003
  For six weeks last year, the Northwest League saw flashes of the Jerry Gil who commanded a $767,500 bonus in 1999. He was brilliant at times in Yakima and looked like a five-tool player. He's easily the best defender and has the strongest arm among the system's infielders, and has been since he signed. But he has been slow to develop any understanding of the strike zone, as his career 224-26 strikeout-walk ratio attests, or any real approach at the plate. Scouts often wonder what he could be thinking in the batter's box. Gil has well above-average speed and is a basestealing threat--if he can get on base. Injuries sabotaged his 2002 season. He missed a month at high Class A with a quadriceps strain, and a sore elbow caused him to tail off in the NWL. The Diamondbacks still have confidence in his physical gifts and probably will return him to the California League in 2003.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2002
  Gil is another shortstop who takes a tumble on this list after ranking fifth entering 2001. His tools remain raw and unproven after his first full season performance. Since signing out of the Dominican as a 17-year-old for a $767,500 bonus, he has drawn just 19 walks against 166 strikeouts. He was totally overmatched as the youngest everyday player in the Midwest League. His defensive tools stand out, though. Gil possesses soft hands and a plus-plus arm, but he lacks first-step explosiveness. He runs a notch below average now and won't get any quicker as he matures physically. The Diamonbacks are banking on him improving drastically at the plate as he fills out. Gil must improve his discipline and pitch recognition to get anything to happen offensively. He's easily fooled by breaking pitches and is occasionally off balance at the plate. Some scouts still project him to hit because he shows bat speed and continues to get stronger. He'll face a tough challenge of stepping to high Class A as a 19-year-old.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #5 prospect in 2001
  Score another one for Latin American coordinator Junior Noboa. Everyone in the organization raves about Gil. They don't care that he batted .225 in Rookie ball in his pro debut. They merely want him to get acclimated to playing in the United States and get experience, with the results coming later. Gil has the range and arm strength to play shortstop, and he needs little polish because of his smooth footwork. He's so good defensively that he could push Alex Cintron to second base should both reach the majors. His size gives him good offensive potential, and the Diamondbacks adore his dedication to the game. Gil was a bit overmatched debuting in the United States at 17. He committed 35 errors and had just 12 extra-base hits and 11 walks, though the Diamondbacks insist they weren't disappointed. He just needs experience to work on all facets of his game. He'll continue to get plenty of instruction without being suffocated and will get plenty of time to develop into the big-time player Arizona envisions. With the more established Cintron well ahead of him in the organizational ladder, there's no reason to hurry Gil.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #8 prospect in 2002
  Gil is the only prospect in the league who came down from a higher level and still impressed managers enough to merit inclusion in the Top 10. He hit just enough to make them think he has enough upside left, though his 47-6 strikeout-walk ratio was ugly. Just 19, Gil still is growing into his lanky 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame. Despite his 23 errors in 60 games at shortstop, managers considered him the league's best defender at the position. "He made all the plays against us and some great plays," Franchuk said. "He showed me he could make the play in the hole. He made everything look so easy, and he got to balls most shortstops in this league wouldn't get." Gil showed some power at the plate with the second best slugging percentage among regulars in an anemic Yakima lineup. He also stole 14 bases in 15 tries.
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  Ranked Pioneer League #13 prospect in 2000
  The abundance of catchers forced the shortstops off the list. Gil is the only one who made the top 20. He was signed last November by Arizona superscout Junior Noboa at age 17 and came straight to the States, skipping the Dominican Summer League entirely. Hale rated Gil's arm as his best tool, which says a lot because his range is considered outstanding, especially for someone 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. He didn't hit well but has offensive potential. The Diamondbacks plan to convert him to switch-hitting in instructional league this fall.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The abundance of catchers forced the shortstops off the list. Gil is the only one who made the top 20. He was signed last November by Arizona superscout Junior Noboa at age 17 and came straight to the States, skipping the Dominican Summer League entirely. Hale rated Gil's arm as his best tool, which says a lot because his range is considered outstanding, especially for someone 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. He didn't hit well but has offensive potential. The Diamondbacks plan to convert him to switch-hitting in instructional league this fall.