Ariel Ovando

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #32 prospect in 2013
  When the Astros signed Ovando for $2.6 million in 2010, they proclaimed the move as evidence of their new commitment to Latin America. He has yet to come close to living up to his signing bonus, though most scouts believe in his power potential. His long frame generates plenty of leverage, though it also adds length to his stroke. His 118 strikeouts in 103 pro games are evidence of the holes in his swing and his inexperience. Scouts think he has a chance to develop above-average power, but they project him as a below-average hitter and aren't enthused by the rest of his game. Ovando is a well below-average runner, and his lack of athleticism and speed led to Houston working him out at first base in instructional league. That's a better fit for him than the outfield, where he spent his first two pro seasons. Shoulder issues have affected his throwing arm, which never was a consistently average tool anyway. It's all going to come down to the bat with Ovando, thought teams don't give up on his big raw power easily. He'll probably play at short-season Tri-City in 2013.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #14 prospect in 2012
  The Astros' most successful homegrown Latin American player in 2011 was 5-foot-7 Venezuelan second baseman Jose Altuve, who in many ways is the opposite of the organization's new poster boy for its Latin program, Ovando. Built like a shooting guard or wide receiver, Ovando is 6-foot-4 and still growing. He signed for a franchise-record $2.6 million in 2010 and had high expectations placed upon him from the start. Even in a half-season league, he had trouble staying healthy as nagging ankle, wrist and hamstring injuries cost him at-bats. It was a good lesson on how he'll need to get stronger to survive the minor league grind. Ovando did improve simply by playing in an organized setting for the first time, and the Astros hope to see a jump in performance in 2012, now that he has gone through two instructional leagues and a summer of games. Ovando's carrying tool, his outstanding raw power, was evident in batting practice more than in games. He has excellent leverage in his loose swing and impressed Appalachian League managers with his athleticism. All aspects of his game are raw, from his approach at the plate to his baserunning to his defense. He flashes plus arm strength, though it grades as below-average at times, and has fringy speed. Ovando could repeat Rookie ball or advance to the New York-Penn League after starting this season in extended spring training.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #10 prospect in 2011
  Houston once owned a virtual monopoly on top Venezuelan talent, but that pipeline dried up when scout Andres Reiner moved on to the Rays. Now the Astros are trying to re-establish themselves in Latin America, which led to signing Ovando for a franchiserecord $2.6 million last July. They announced the signing with a lengthy press release comparing him physically to players such as Cliff Floyd, Jason Heyward and Darryl Strawberry. Big money in Latin America often goes to players who show present hitting ability and power, and that describes Ovando. The Astros like his feel for hitting and solid pitch-recognition skills for his age, which make them confident he'll get to his plus raw power. His swing has a lot of movement in it, but Houston believes he can tone that down while maintaining his natural rhythm. His long, lean frame leads to some length and holes in his swing. The Astros project Ovando as a future right fielder, though he has inconsistent throwing mechanics and grades on his arm strength range from below- to above-average. He's a fringe-average runner who should slow down as his body thickens. Ovando had a solid instructional league while facing the best pitching he's ever seen, an encouraging start. He'll begin 2011 in extended spring training before making his pro debut with one of the organization's two Rookie-level teams.