Juan Portes
| AB | 2158 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .261 |
| OBP | .323 |
| SLG | .391 |
| HR | 49 |
- Full name Juan Carlos Portes
- Born 11/26/1985 in Boston, MA
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Liceo Miguel Angel Garrido
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Drafted in the 15th round (451st overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2004.
View Draft Report
Based on talent alone, SS/RHP Juan Carlos Portes would go in the first 10 rounds, but the tools-laden athlete remains a wild card. He did not play high school baseball last year and because he temporarily moved back to the Dominican Republic, he wasn't eligible for the 2003 draft. Portes never played high school ball again this spring, but was scheduled to work out for area scouts before the draft. He has impressive tools but lacks the skills to put them to use at this point. He has fluid actions at short, with average range and arm strength, while at the plate he has good bat speed and gap power.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Portes played limited high school baseball in Massachusetts, then dropped out and spent what would have been his senior year on the showcase circuit. Projected as an early-round pick until he left high school, he slipped to the 15th round of the 2004 draft. Portes received a GED diploma and speaks fluent English. He led the Gulf Coast League in homers and slugging percentage in his debut, then ranked among Appalachian League leaders in those categories during 2005. He projects to add power as he continues to fill out. A shortstop as an amateur, Portes played mostly second base and left field last year. While he showed progress in making the pivot and mastering the intricacies of second, he probably will move to the outfield for good before too long as the Twins have strengthened their middle-infield depth in the past few years. Portes has questionable hands, but he has average speed and arm strength and could merit a look in center field. He'll play in low Class A in 2006. -
A native Dominican, Portes played some high school baseball in Massachusetts, then dropped out and spent what would have been his senior year on the showcase circuit. He probably should have gone much earlier in the draft but slipped through the cracks and signed with the Twins as a 15th-rounder, in large part because of the diligence of area scout Jay Weitzel. Portes received a general equivalency degree and speaks fluent English, but baseball is his primary language. His bat is his best tool, as he led the Gulf Coast League lead in homers and slugging percentage. He projects to hit for even more power as he matures, despite his relatively small frame. Finding him a position is another matter. A shortstop as an amateur, Portes also played third and second base after signing. All told, he committed 24 errors in 30 games in the field. He has decent hands and slightly above arm strength, but he needs to improve his footwork and the accuracy of his throws. He'll probably spend most of his time at second in the Appalachian League this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Portes was league champion Elizabethton's top hitter and unquestionably the Appy's top middle-infield prospect. All his tools rate as at least average, and he has plus power and the ability to hit good pitching. Portes generates great bat speed despite his smallish frame and crushed 26 extra-base hits, including 12 homers. Drafted as a shortstop, Portes made the transition to second base this season and put in extra time on his defense. He made strides charging grounders and turning the double play. His glove still has room for improvement, and the Twins also tried him for 13 games in left field. "He takes charge on the infield and he's a sharp guy." Smith said. "He acts as translator for his Latin teammates and he drives them around town. He's got a bright future." -
Portes dropped out of a Massachusetts high school midway through his senior year, opting to play in a wood-bat league in Iowa. That move cost him in the draft, but it helped him make a smooth transition to pro ball. Portes topped the GCL in slugging (.530), tied for the lead in homers (eight) and finished second in batting (.327). "He's got extremely quick hands," Ingram said. "You can't throw the fastball by him." Portes started the season at shortstop, eventually moving to third. He has sufficient arm strength to play on the left side but needs to working on his accuracy. Most of his 24 errors came on throws. He could end up in the outfield if he doesn't correct the problem, but his bat should play anywhere.
