Ezequiel Tovar

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
  
  Track Record: Since signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday in 2017, Tovar has progressed each year on his way to ranking as one of the top prospects in baseball. He spent all of the 2020 pandemic working out at the Rockies' facility in Arizona because he was unable to return home to Venezuela. Over that time period, Tovar made substantial changes. He added strength and good weight and stopped switch-hitting in favor of batting righthanded only. The hard work paid off. Tovar broke out in his full-season debut in 2021, hitting .309/.346/.510 over 72 games with Low-A Fresno before being promoted to High-A Spokane for the final few months of the season. He was assigned to Double-A Hartford out of camp in 2022, making Tovar the third-youngest player to open the season in the Eastern League. Over the first few months of the season, Tovar impressed by hitting .318/.386/.545 with 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 66 games. Tovar went down in late June with a hip/groin injury that required a two-month stint on the injured list. Tovar returned in mid September, playing five games with Triple-A Albuquerque before he was called up to Colorado to make his MLB debut on Sept. 23.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar is a talented all-around shortstop capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball in a variety of ways. With a lanky build, Tovar lacks mass but has wiry strength and twitch that allow his him to generate power at the plate and on his throws. His offensive profile is heavily driven by his above-average bat-to-ball skills and plus bat speed. An aggressive swinger, Tovar looks to put the ball in play and do damage. While his swing decisions are still raw, he has an innate ability to adjust the barrel and make flush contact all over the zone. While his exit velocity data is below-average, Tovar's power plays up in games due to bat speed and the ability to strike his hardest hit balls at optimal launch angles. As Tovar adds strength to his frame and refinement to his approach in the coming years, he should blossom into an impact hitter. He's a plus runner and instinctual basestealer who is an asset as a baserunner, and his speed and quickness translates to the field. One of the best shortstop defenders in the minors, Tovar is rangy and fluid at the position and moves to his right and left with ease. He showcases a plus arm and is capable of making all the necessary throws with an easy arm action. With an excellent internal clock, infield actions and soft hands, Tovar is capable of developing into one of the best defensive shortstops in the major leagues.
  
  The Future: Tovar is a future everyday shortstop with above-average offensive potential. After making his MLB debut at the end of 2022, Tovar is poised to spend a majority of his 2023 season in Colorado.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Tovar was Colorado’s top international signing in 2017, signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday. He turned heads during his progression through the low minors and, after making two key changes, broke out in his full-season debut in 2021. Originally a switch-hitter, Tovar began batting righthanded only in 2021. He also made significant strength gains during the coronavirus shutdown. With those two changes, he hit .287 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 72 RBIs and 24 stolen bases across Low-A and High-A while earning raves as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar has long displayed above-average bat control and situational hitting ability despite being young at every level. His bat-to-ball skills are growing and he showcases gap-to-gap power with a line-drive approach. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but can occasionally elevate for home runs, as well. Tovar is a contact hitter first and still needs to add more muscle to his frame. He plays with energy and emotion but is already mature enough not to press. Even with his offensive gains, Tovar is a defensive-oriented player. He is a smooth operator at shortstop, where his clean footwork, sure hands, plus arm strength and advanced internal clock set him apart. He gets to routine grounders with ease and positions himself well with his advanced instincts to be able to make highlight-reel plays.
  
  The Future: Tovar still has several years of growth ahead of him, but he’s talented enough defensively to eventually be the Rockies’ starting shortstop. His offensive gains will be tested at Double-A in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The top signing in the Rockies' 2018 international signing class, Tovar increased his strength upon turning pro and has excelled despite continually being among the youngest players in each league. In fact, the Rockies had to initially send him to short-season Boise in 2019 rather than Rookielevel Grand Junction in 2019 due to Colorado-specific labor laws that made him unable to play in the state as a 17-year-old. He returned to the field in 2020 for instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Tovar is the best defensive infielder in the Rockies system. The club believes he could not only be a major league shortstop right now, but that he will contend for Gold Gloves down the road. He has great actions, plus speed and range and plus arm strength that make him a good fit at shortstop. Originally a switch hitter, Tovar now hits exclusively from the right side, which the club thinks will help give him a chance to be an average hitter. He has put on 10-15 pounds since last year, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into additional power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Tovar is a good enough defender to be a difference-maker. How high he climbs will depend on how his bat comes along.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #21 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Rockies signed Tovar the day he turned 16 then watched as he added the strength they expected. As an amateur he showed a projectable frame, the straight-line speed to run the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds and smooth, line-drive strokes from both sides of the plate. He's proved advanced enough that the Rockies split his time between the Rookie-level Pioneer League and the typically collegeheavy Northwest League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his youth (he was the youngest player with more than 50 plate appearances in the Pioneer League), Tovar showed impressive tools. He displayed enough bat speed to catch up with quality fastballs and a smooth enough swing that led rival evaluators to believe he'll have at least an average hit tool. The power isn't there quite yet, but Tovar still has to grow into his adult body. In the field, Tovar shows both quickness and speed as well as more than enough arm strength to make the throws required for a shortstop. He also impressed scouts with his high baseball IQ and ability to adjust quickly and learn from his mistakes.
  
  THE FUTURE: Betting on Tovar is a long-term play, but he's already among the best defenders in the Rockies' system and has the potential to provide impact on both sides of the ball.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #7 prospect in 2021
  Tovar came to Spokane late in the season but showed glimpses of the tools that made him a standout at Low-A and earned him that promotion at just 20 years old. Unlike the other 20-year-old shortstops on this list—Marco Luciano and Orelvis Martinez—Tovar has an excellent chance to stick at the position depending on how his body fills out. Tovar is an instinctual player who turns anything hit his way into an out with the help of a strong internal clock and an above-average arm. Tovar is no slouch at the plate. He shows surprising power for someone with his build and hit 15 homers between both Class A levels. He’s likely more of a doubles hitter who can hit toward the top of the order in the big leagues, but he should provide a potentially plus bat with near-average power while sticking up the middle.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #17 prospect in 2019
  The slick-fielding Tovar was the Rockies' top international signee in 2017, receiving an $800,000 bonus. He spent most of his first season in the Northwest League before finishing the year at Grand Junction. The very athletic Tovar stands out most for his instincts at shortstop and a still-growing, natural shortstop frame. He's already a plus or better defender with quick hands who gets really good first-step reads and has a plus arm. The development of the bat will be the key for Tovar. He has the ingredients to hit, with a good swing path, bat speed and some power to the opposite field, but he needs to get more experience and added strength to better impact the baseball. He's at least an above-average runner with good instincts on the bases. What's even more impressive about Tovar is his outstanding makeup for an 18-year-old. "He's mature and kind of a silent leader," Grand Junction manager Jake Opitz said. "And you can tell that those kids are already looking up to him. His knowledge of the game is really impressive for being so young."
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #7 prospect in 2019
  Tovar was the No. 22 prospect in an absolutely stacked 2017 international class—which also included Northwest League top prospect Kristian Robinson—and he spent most of his time in the NWL as a 17-year-old. Tovar’s glove immediately stuck out to evaluators, who noted that he had the hands, actions and plus arm necessary to remain at shortstop. He’s got a clean swing from the right side with above-average bat speed and recorded multiple hits in 15 of his 55 games with Boise before passport issues in advance of a trip to Vancouver necessitated a move back to the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Scouts also noted that Tovar was particularly adept at handling fastballs, no matter their velocity. He also combines plus speed with the advanced basestealing instincts to swipe the second-most bags on the team.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #17 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
  
  Track Record: Since signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday in 2017, Tovar has progressed each year on his way to ranking as one of the top prospects in baseball. He spent all of the 2020 pandemic working out at the Rockies' facility in Arizona because he was unable to return home to Venezuela. Over that time period, Tovar made substantial changes. He added strength and good weight and stopped switch-hitting in favor of batting righthanded only. The hard work paid off. Tovar broke out in his full-season debut in 2021, hitting .309/.346/.510 over 72 games with Low-A Fresno before being promoted to High-A Spokane for the final few months of the season. He was assigned to Double-A Hartford out of camp in 2022, making Tovar the third-youngest player to open the season in the Eastern League. Over the first few months of the season, Tovar impressed by hitting .318/.386/.545 with 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 66 games. Tovar went down in late June with a hip/groin injury that required a two-month stint on the injured list. Tovar returned in mid September, playing five games with Triple-A Albuquerque before he was called up to Colorado to make his MLB debut on Sept. 23.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar is a talented all-around shortstop capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball in a variety of ways. With a lanky build, Tovar lacks mass but has wiry strength and twitch that allow his him to generate power at the plate and on his throws. His offensive profile is heavily driven by his above-average bat-to-ball skills and plus bat speed. An aggressive swinger, Tovar looks to put the ball in play and do damage. While his swing decisions are still raw, he has an innate ability to adjust the barrel and make flush contact all over the zone. While his exit velocity data is below-average, Tovar's power plays up in games due to bat speed and the ability to strike his hardest hit balls at optimal launch angles. As Tovar adds strength to his frame and refinement to his approach in the coming years, he should blossom into an impact hitter. He's a plus runner and instinctual basestealer who is an asset as a baserunner, and his speed and quickness translates to the field. One of the best shortstop defenders in the minors, Tovar is rangy and fluid at the position and moves to his right and left with ease. He showcases a plus arm and is capable of making all the necessary throws with an easy arm action. With an excellent internal clock, infield actions and soft hands, Tovar is capable of developing into one of the best defensive shortstops in the major leagues.
  
  The Future: Tovar is a future everyday shortstop with above-average offensive potential. After making his MLB debut at the end of 2022, Tovar is poised to spend a majority of his 2023 season in Colorado.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/High
  
  Track Record: Since signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday in 2017, Tovar has progressed each year on his way to ranking as one of the top prospects in baseball. He spent all of the 2020 pandemic working out at the Rockies' facility in Arizona because he was unable to return home to Venezuela. Over that time period, Tovar made substantial changes. He added strength and good weight and stopped switch-hitting in favor of batting righthanded only. The hard work paid off. Tovar broke out in his full-season debut in 2021, hitting .309/.346/.510 over 72 games with Low-A Fresno before being promoted to High-A Spokane for the final few months of the season. He was assigned to Double-A Hartford out of camp in 2022, making Tovar the third-youngest player to open the season in the Eastern League. Over the first few months of the season, Tovar impressed by hitting .318/.386/.545 with 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 66 games. Tovar went down in late June with a hip/groin injury that required a two-month stint on the injured list. Tovar returned in mid September, playing five games with Triple-A Albuquerque before he was called up to Colorado to make his MLB debut on Sept. 23.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar is a talented all-around shortstop capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball in a variety of ways. With a lanky build, Tovar lacks mass but has wiry strength and twitch that allow his him to generate power at the plate and on his throws. His offensive profile is heavily driven by his above-average bat-to-ball skills and plus bat speed. An aggressive swinger, Tovar looks to put the ball in play and do damage. While his swing decisions are still raw, he has an innate ability to adjust the barrel and make flush contact all over the zone. While his exit velocity data is below-average, Tovar's power plays up in games due to bat speed and the ability to strike his hardest hit balls at optimal launch angles. As Tovar adds strength to his frame and refinement to his approach in the coming years, he should blossom into an impact hitter. He's a plus runner and instinctual basestealer who is an asset as a baserunner, and his speed and quickness translates to the field. One of the best shortstop defenders in the minors, Tovar is rangy and fluid at the position and moves to his right and left with ease. He showcases a plus arm and is capable of making all the necessary throws with an easy arm action. With an excellent internal clock, infield actions and soft hands, Tovar is capable of developing into one of the best defensive shortstops in the major leagues.
  
  The Future: Tovar is a future everyday shortstop with above-average offensive potential. After making his MLB debut at the end of 2022, Tovar is poised to spend a majority of his 2023 season in Colorado.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 60/High
  
  Track Record: Tovar was Colorado&#39s top international signing in 2017, signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday. He turned heads during his progression through the low minors and, after making two key changes, broke out in his full-season debut in 2021. Originally a switch-hitter, Tovar began batting righthanded only in 2021. He also made significant strength gains during the coronavirus shutdown. With those two changes, he hit .287 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 72 RBIs and 24 stolen bases across Low-A and High-A while earning raves as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar has long displayed above-average bat control and situational hitting ability despite being young at every level. His bat-to-ball skills are growing and he showcases gap-to-gap power with a line-drive approach. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but can occasionally elevate for home runs, as well. Tovar is a contact hitter first and still needs to add more muscle to his frame. He plays with energy and emotion but is already mature enough not to press. Even with his offensive gains, Tovar is a defensive-oriented player. He is a smooth operator at shortstop, where his clean footwork, sure hands, plus arm strength and advanced internal clock set him apart. He gets to routine grounders with ease and positions himself well with his advanced instincts to be able to make highlight-reel plays.
  
  The Future: Tovar still has several years of growth ahead of him, but he&#39s talented enough defensively to eventually be the Rockies&#39 starting shortstop. His offensive gains will be tested at Double-A in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 50. Fielding: 65. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Tovar was Colorado’s top international signing in 2017, signing for $800,000 on his 16th birthday. He turned heads during his progression through the low minors and, after making two key changes, broke out in his full-season debut in 2021. Originally a switch-hitter, Tovar began batting righthanded only in 2021. He also made significant strength gains during the coronavirus shutdown. With those two changes, he hit .287 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs, 72 RBIs and 24 stolen bases across Low-A and High-A while earning raves as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Tovar has long displayed above-average bat control and situational hitting ability despite being young at every level. His bat-to-ball skills are growing and he showcases gap-to-gap power with a line-drive approach. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but can occasionally elevate for home runs, as well. Tovar is a contact hitter first and still needs to add more muscle to his frame. He plays with energy and emotion but is already mature enough not to press. Even with his offensive gains, Tovar is a defensive-oriented player. He is a smooth operator at shortstop, where his clean footwork, sure hands, plus arm strength and advanced internal clock set him apart. He gets to routine grounders with ease and positions himself well with his advanced instincts to be able to make highlight-reel plays.
  
  The Future: Tovar still has several years of growth ahead of him, but he’s talented enough defensively to eventually be the Rockies’ starting shortstop. His offensive gains will be tested at Double-A in 2022.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Tovar came to Spokane late in the season but showed glimpses of the tools that made him a standout at Low-A and earned him that promotion at just 20 years old. Unlike the other 20-year-old shortstops on this list—Marco Luciano and Orelvis Martinez—Tovar has an excellent chance to stick at the position depending on how his body fills out. Tovar is an instinctual player who turns anything hit his way into an out with the help of a strong internal clock and an above-average arm. Tovar is no slouch at the plate. He shows surprising power for someone with his build and hit 15 homers between both Class A levels. He’s likely more of a doubles hitter who can hit toward the top of the order in the big leagues, but he should provide a potentially plus bat with near-average power while sticking up the middle.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top signing in the Rockies' 2018 international signing class, Tovar increased his strength upon turning pro and has excelled despite continually being among the youngest players in each league. In fact, the Rockies had to initially send him to short-season Boise in 2019 rather than Rookielevel Grand Junction in 2019 due to Colorado-specific labor laws that made him unable to play in the state as a 17-year-old. He returned to the field in 2020 for instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Tovar is the best defensive infielder in the Rockies system. The club believes he could not only be a major league shortstop right now, but that he will contend for Gold Gloves down the road. He has great actions, plus speed and range and plus arm strength that make him a good fit at shortstop. Originally a switch hitter, Tovar now hits exclusively from the right side, which the club thinks will help give him a chance to be an average hitter. He has put on 10-15 pounds since last year, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into additional power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Tovar is a good enough defender to be a difference-maker. How high he climbs will depend on how his bat comes along.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top signing in the Rockies' 2018 international signing class, Tovar increased his strength upon turning pro and has excelled despite continually being among the youngest players in each league. In fact, the Rockies had to initially send him to short-season Boise in 2019 rather than Rookielevel Grand Junction in 2019 due to Colorado-specific labor laws that made him unable to play in the state as a 17-year-old. He returned to the field in 2020 for instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Tovar is the best defensive infielder in the Rockies system. The club believes he could not only be a major league shortstop right now, but that he will contend for Gold Gloves down the road. He has great actions, plus speed and range and plus arm strength that make him a good fit at shortstop. Originally a switch hitter, Tovar now hits exclusively from the right side, which the club thinks will help give him a chance to be an average hitter. He has put on 10-15 pounds since last year, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into additional power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Tovar is a good enough defender to be a difference-maker. How high he climbs will depend on how his bat comes along.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The top signing in the Rockies' 2018 international signing class, Tovar increased his strength upon turning pro and has excelled despite continually being among the youngest players in each league. In fact, the Rockies had to initially send him to short-season Boise in 2019 rather than Rookielevel Grand Junction in 2019 due to Colorado-specific labor laws that made him unable to play in the state as a 17-year-old. He returned to the field in 2020 for instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Tovar is the best defensive infielder in the Rockies system. The club believes he could not only be a major league shortstop right now, but that he will contend for Gold Gloves down the road. He has great actions, plus speed and range and plus arm strength that make him a good fit at shortstop. Originally a switch hitter, Tovar now hits exclusively from the right side, which the club thinks will help give him a chance to be an average hitter. He has put on 10-15 pounds since last year, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into additional power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Tovar is a good enough defender to be a difference-maker. How high he climbs will depend on how his bat comes along.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rockies signed Tovar the day he turned 16 then watched as he added the strength they expected. As an amateur he showed a projectable frame, the straight-line speed to run the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds and smooth, line-drive strokes from both sides of the plate. He’s proved advanced enough that the Rockies split his time between the Rookie-level Pioneer League and the typically collegeheavy Northwest League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his youth (he was the youngest player with more than 50 plate appearances in the Pioneer League), Tovar showed impressive tools. He displayed enough bat speed to catch up with quality fastballs and a smooth enough swing that led rival evaluators to believe he’ll have at least an average hit tool. The power isn’t there quite yet, but Tovar still has to grow into his adult body. In the field, Tovar shows both quickness and speed as well as more than enough arm strength to make the throws required for a shortstop. He also impressed scouts with his high baseball IQ and ability to adjust quickly and learn from his mistakes.
  
  THE FUTURE: Betting on Tovar is a long-term play, but he’s already among the best defenders in the Rockies’ system and has the potential to provide impact on both sides of the ball.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rockies signed Tovar the day he turned 16 then watched as he added the strength they expected. As an amateur he showed a projectable frame, the straight-line speed to run the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds and smooth, line-drive strokes from both sides of the plate. He's proved advanced enough that the Rockies split his time between the Rookie-level Pioneer League and the typically collegeheavy Northwest League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his youth (he was the youngest player with more than 50 plate appearances in the Pioneer League), Tovar showed impressive tools. He displayed enough bat speed to catch up with quality fastballs and a smooth enough swing that led rival evaluators to believe he'll have at least an average hit tool. The power isn't there quite yet, but Tovar still has to grow into his adult body. In the field, Tovar shows both quickness and speed as well as more than enough arm strength to make the throws required for a shortstop. He also impressed scouts with his high baseball IQ and ability to adjust quickly and learn from his mistakes.
  
  THE FUTURE: Betting on Tovar is a long-term play, but he's already among the best defenders in the Rockies' system and has the potential to provide impact on both sides of the ball.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The slick-fielding Tovar was the Rockies' top international signee in 2017, receiving an $800,000 bonus. He spent most of his first season in the Northwest League before finishing the year at Grand Junction. The very athletic Tovar stands out most for his instincts at shortstop and a still-growing, natural shortstop frame. He's already a plus or better defender with quick hands who gets really good first-step reads and has a plus arm. The development of the bat will be the key for Tovar. He has the ingredients to hit, with a good swing path, bat speed and some power to the opposite field, but he needs to get more experience and added strength to better impact the baseball. He's at least an above-average runner with good instincts on the bases. What's even more impressive about Tovar is his outstanding makeup for an 18-year-old. "He's mature and kind of a silent leader," Grand Junction manager Jake Opitz said. "And you can tell that those kids are already looking up to him. His knowledge of the game is really impressive for being so young."
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Tovar was the No. 22 prospect in an absolutely stacked 2017 international class—which also included Northwest League top prospect Kristian Robinson—and he spent most of his time in the NWL as a 17-year-old. Tovar’s glove immediately stuck out to evaluators, who noted that he had the hands, actions and plus arm necessary to remain at shortstop. He’s got a clean swing from the right side with above-average bat speed and recorded multiple hits in 15 of his 55 games with Boise before passport issues in advance of a trip to Vancouver necessitated a move back to the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Scouts also noted that Tovar was particularly adept at handling fastballs, no matter their velocity. He also combines plus speed with the advanced basestealing instincts to swipe the second-most bags on the team.