| AB | 251 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .171 |
| OBP | .234 |
| SLG | .223 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Arol Josue Vera
- Born 09/12/2002 in Valencia, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 213 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class but had his pro debut delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. He impressed with his athleticism and contact skills when he finally got onto the field for his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, but his lack of strength was exposed in his full-season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. Vera hit .207/.291/.281 with the 66ers, the lowest batting average, slugging percentage and OPS of any qualified hitter in the California League.
Scouting Report: Vera is an athletic, switch-hitting infielder whose potential rests on how much stronger he gets. He has good instincts in the batters box, but he struggles to make hard contact from either side of the plate even when he finds the barrel. He's an aggressive hitter who chases out of the zone and allowed his swing to get too long in 2022, leading to 149 strikeouts, fourth-most in the league. Vera has above-average bat speed and average raw power from the left side, but he still has to get significantly stronger in his upper half to be a playable hitter. Vera is an impactful defender with smooth actions, soft hands, and an above-average arm that should keep him at shortstop even as he gets bigger. He is an average runner with solid instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Vera's defense will buy him time to get stronger at the plate. He may need to repeat Low-A in 2022.
Scouting Grades Hit: 30. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55. -
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class, but he was confined to an Arizona apartment during the coronavirus shutdown and gained more than 20 pounds, setting off alarm bells in the Angels player development department. Vera returned slimmer and more athletic in 2021 and had an explosive pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, leading to a promotion to Low-A Inland Empire at the end of the season.
Scouting Report: Vera is a physical, projectable switch-hitter who hits balls hard from both sides of the plate. He shows an advanced, all-fields approach from the left side in particular and generates all of his power from that side. Vera has a tendency to chase pitches out of the strike zone, but the Angels are confident that will improve with experience and maturity. He is more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter, but with added strength and better pitch selection, he could develop the power to hit 15-20 homers. Vera is an average runner and earns high marks for poise, makeup and character. He has emerged as one of the smoothest, most fundamentally sound defenders in the system, with sure hands and an above-average arm. Though he lost a considerable amount of weight last year, Vera is still a little thick in his lower half, which could portend an eventual move to third base.
The Future: Vera’s hitting ability and poise on defense give him some of the highest upside of any position player in the Angels system. He’ll return to Low-A to begin the 2022 season. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera signed for $2 million as a 16-year-old as part of the Angels' renewed commitment to Latin America. He was confined to an Arizona apartment complex during the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 and put on a little too much weight by the time he reported to instructional league in the fall. Even with the added weight, he showed a tool set that remains intriguing.
SCOUTING REPORT: The switch-hitting Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically and gains strength. Vera is athletic in the field with quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. He's an average runner now but will likely slow down as he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Vera is too gifted of an infielder to move off of shortstop for now. If he continues to add weight, he might project more as a third baseman. -
TRACK RECORD: Few players better illustrate the Angels' quest to accrue athletic middle infielders and their renewed commitment to Latin America than Vera, a switch-hitter who signed as a 16-year-old last July. He did not play for an affiliate after signing but participated in fall instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the zone. Vera has grown taller and gotten stronger over the past year, making him a more physical player. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically, with some seeing plus power potential. Lean and athletic, Vera has quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. There is a polish to the way he moves around and fields his position. He is an average runner now and will likely slow down as he fills out, causing some evaluators to project him at third base. Vera has impressed scouts with his makeup and work ethic
THE FUTURE: Vera will likely spend his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League. He is talented enough to potentially push for an assignment to the Rookie-level Arizona League.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class but had his pro debut delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. He impressed with his athleticism and contact skills when he finally got onto the field for his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, but his lack of strength was exposed in his full-season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. Vera hit .207/.291/.281 with the 66ers, the lowest batting average, slugging percentage and OPS of any qualified hitter in the California League.
Scouting Report: Vera is an athletic, switch-hitting infielder whose potential rests on how much stronger he gets. He has good instincts in the batters box, but he struggles to make hard contact from either side of the plate even when he finds the barrel. He's an aggressive hitter who chases out of the zone and allowed his swing to get too long in 2022, leading to 149 strikeouts, fourth-most in the league. Vera has above-average bat speed and average raw power from the left side, but he still has to get significantly stronger in his upper half to be a playable hitter. Vera is an impactful defender with smooth actions, soft hands, and an above-average arm that should keep him at shortstop even as he gets bigger. He is an average runner with solid instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Vera's defense will buy him time to get stronger at the plate. He may need to repeat Low-A in 2022.
Scouting Grades Hit: 30. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class but had his pro debut delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. He impressed with his athleticism and contact skills when he finally got onto the field for his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, but his lack of strength was exposed in his full-season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. Vera hit .207/.291/.281 with the 66ers, the lowest batting average, slugging percentage and OPS of any qualified hitter in the California League.
Scouting Report: Vera is an athletic, switch-hitting infielder whose potential rests on how much stronger he gets. He has good instincts in the batters box, but he struggles to make hard contact from either side of the plate even when he finds the barrel. He's an aggressive hitter who chases out of the zone and allowed his swing to get too long in 2022, leading to 149 strikeouts, fourth-most in the league. Vera has above-average bat speed and average raw power from the left side, but he still has to get significantly stronger in his upper half to be a playable hitter. Vera is an impactful defender with smooth actions, soft hands, and an above-average arm that should keep him at shortstop even as he gets bigger. He is an average runner with solid instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Vera's defense will buy him time to get stronger at the plate. He may need to repeat Low-A in 2022.
Scouting Grades Hit: 30. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55. -
BA Grade: 40/High
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class, but he was confined to an Arizona apartment during the coronavirus shutdown and gained more than 20 pounds, setting off alarm bells in the Angels player development department. Vera returned slimmer and more athletic in 2021 and had an explosive pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, leading to a promotion to Low-A Inland Empire at the end of the season.
Scouting Report: Vera is a physical, projectable switch-hitter who hits balls hard from both sides of the plate. He shows an advanced, all-fields approach from the left side in particular and generates all of his power from that side. Vera has a tendency to chase pitches out of the strike zone, but the Angels are confident that will improve with experience and maturity. He is more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter, but with added strength and better pitch selection, he could develop the power to hit 15-20 homers. Vera is an average runner and earns high marks for poise, makeup and character. He has emerged as one of the smoothest, most fundamentally sound defenders in the system, with sure hands and an above-average arm. Though he lost a considerable amount of weight last year, Vera is still a little thick in his lower half, which could portend an eventual move to third base.
The Future: Vera's hitting ability and poise on defense give him some of the highest upside of any position player in the Angels system. He'll return to Low-A to begin the 2022 season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55. -
Track Record: Vera signed with the Angels for $2 million as one of the top prospects in the 2019 international class, but he was confined to an Arizona apartment during the coronavirus shutdown and gained more than 20 pounds, setting off alarm bells in the Angels player development department. Vera returned slimmer and more athletic in 2021 and had an explosive pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, leading to a promotion to Low-A Inland Empire at the end of the season.
Scouting Report: Vera is a physical, projectable switch-hitter who hits balls hard from both sides of the plate. He shows an advanced, all-fields approach from the left side in particular and generates all of his power from that side. Vera has a tendency to chase pitches out of the strike zone, but the Angels are confident that will improve with experience and maturity. He is more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter, but with added strength and better pitch selection, he could develop the power to hit 15-20 homers. Vera is an average runner and earns high marks for poise, makeup and character. He has emerged as one of the smoothest, most fundamentally sound defenders in the system, with sure hands and an above-average arm. Though he lost a considerable amount of weight last year, Vera is still a little thick in his lower half, which could portend an eventual move to third base.
The Future: Vera’s hitting ability and poise on defense give him some of the highest upside of any position player in the Angels system. He’ll return to Low-A to begin the 2022 season. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera signed for $2 million as a 16-year-old as part of the Angels' renewed commitment to Latin America. He was confined to an Arizona apartment complex during the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 and put on a little too much weight by the time he reported to instructional league in the fall. Even with the added weight, he showed a tool set that remains intriguing.
SCOUTING REPORT: The switch-hitting Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically and gains strength. Vera is athletic in the field with quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. He's an average runner now but will likely slow down as he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Vera is too gifted of an infielder to move off of shortstop for now. If he continues to add weight, he might project more as a third baseman. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera signed for $2 million as a 16-year-old as part of the Angels' renewed commitment to Latin America. He was confined to an Arizona apartment complex during the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 and put on a little too much weight by the time he reported to instructional league in the fall. Even with the added weight, he showed a tool set that remains intriguing.
SCOUTING REPORT: The switch-hitting Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically and gains strength. Vera is athletic in the field with quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. He's an average runner now but will likely slow down as he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Vera is too gifted of an infielder to move off of shortstop for now. If he continues to add weight, he might project more as a third baseman. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera signed for $2 million as a 16-year-old as part of the Angels' renewed commitment to Latin America. He was confined to an Arizona apartment complex during the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 and put on a little too much weight by the time he reported to instructional league in the fall. Even with the added weight, he showed a tool set that remains intriguing.
SCOUTING REPORT: The switch-hitting Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically and gains strength. Vera is athletic in the field with quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. He's an average runner now but will likely slow down as he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Vera is too gifted of an infielder to move off of shortstop for now. If he continues to add weight, he might project more as a third baseman. -
TRACK RECORD: Few players better illustrate the Angels’ quest to accrue athletic middle infielders and their renewed commitment to Latin America than Vera, a switch-hitter who signed as a 16-year-old last July. He did not play for an affiliate after signing but participated in fall instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the zone. Vera has grown taller and gotten stronger over the past year, making him a more physical player. He’s more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically, with some seeing plus power potential. Lean and athletic, Vera has quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. There is a polish to the way he moves around and fields his position. He is an average runner now and will likely slow down as he fills out, causing some evaluators to project him at third base. Vera has impressed scouts with his makeup and work ethic
THE FUTURE: Vera will likely spend his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League. He is talented enough to potentially push for an assignment to the Rookie-level Arizona League. -
TRACK RECORD: Few players better illustrate the Angels' quest to accrue athletic middle infielders and their renewed commitment to Latin America than Vera, a switch-hitter who signed as a 16-year-old last July. He did not play for an affiliate after signing but participated in fall instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the zone. Vera has grown taller and gotten stronger over the past year, making him a more physical player. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically, with some seeing plus power potential. Lean and athletic, Vera has quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. There is a polish to the way he moves around and fields his position. He is an average runner now and will likely slow down as he fills out, causing some evaluators to project him at third base. Vera has impressed scouts with his makeup and work ethic
THE FUTURE: Vera will likely spend his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League. He is talented enough to potentially push for an assignment to the Rookie-level Arizona League.
Career Transactions
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SS Arol Vera assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Rocket City Trash Pandas.
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SS Arol Vera assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
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SS Arol Vera assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
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SS Arol Vera roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
