Alberto Callaspo Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3556
AVG	.265
OBP	.329
SLG	.364
HR	52

Full name Alberto Jose Callaspo
Born 04/19/1983 in Maracay, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'8" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School U.E.P. Instituto Educacional Aragua
Debut 08/06/2006

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Faced with a logjam of middle infielders, the Angels dealt Callaspo to Arizona last February for righthander Jason Bulger. Callaspo was a doeverything player for a Triple-A Tucson team that was Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year. He was the toughest full-season minor leaguer to strike out for the third year in a row, averaging 20.5 plate appearances per whiff. Callaspo has amazing plate coverage, but what's more impressive is his knowledge of the strike zone and knack for taking borderline pitches. He can spray line drives all over the field. He has good speed and good actions at second base, and he can play almost anywhere on the field. He's a loosy-goosy player who brings energy to the ballpark each day. Callaspo doesn't have much power, so he has to get on base to maximize his value. He did a much better job of that last year. His lack of basestealing savvy keeps him from taking full advantage of his speed. While he's best at second base, Callaspo can also play shortstop, third base and the outfield. The Diamondbacks will look for him to make the big league team in a super-utility role out of spring training.
The Angels shifted Callaspo back to second base last year after he played shortstop in 2004. For the second year in a row, he was the toughest player in the minors to strike out, going 20.4 plate appearances per whiff in 2005. He moved up to Triple-A in July and finished the season riding a 15-game hitting streak. Callaspo improved his bat control and situational hitting last season, integral ingredients to his value as a prospect. He bunts well, and while he doesn't have the aptitude Howie Kendrick possesses, he's a solid hitter. A switch-hitter, he has a more fluid swing and fewer holes from the left side. The Angels believe Callaspo can handle shortstop, but he's a natural second baseman with smooth, easy motions and an outstanding feel for the position. He has an average, accurate arm, soft hands, good range and a smooth double-play pivot. While he has some raw pop, Callaspo is primarily a singles hitter who doesn't walk much because he makes effortless contract. He hit just .241 from the right side in 2005. Though he has average speed, he lacks basestealing savvy and was caught 13 times in 24 tries last year. Callaspo's chances of becoming Los Angeles' second baseman of the future look limited because his bat just doesn't compare to Kendrick's. The two and Erick Aybar should be teammates in Triple-A this year, so Callaspo may play a variety of positions. If he's not traded, his destiny with the Angels may be as a utilityman.
The Angels usually are conservative with assignments, but chose to skip Callaspo over high Class A in 2004 so he could play shortstop. He didn't lead his league in hits for the third straight year, but did hold his own in the Texas League. Despite playing in Double-A at age 21, Callaspo was the toughest player to strike out in the minors. He lacks Erick Aybar's pop, but he's a pure-hitting singles machine. He proved he has the skills to play shortstop and he stands out more at second base. His arm and speed are average tools. Anaheim's player-development staff praises his work ethic. Though he drew a career-high 47 walks, Callaspo needs to improve his patience and pitch selection to become a quality leadoff hitter. He often puts pitches in play that he'd be better off taking. The Angels have decided to move Callaspo back to second base. That will allow him to team once again with Aybar, forming a dynamic double-play combination that should get to the majors in 2006. He'll return to Double-A to open 2005 but could force a promotion to Triple-A by midseason.
Latin American scouts Carlos Porte and Amador Arias earned kudos for their efforts in discovering Callaspo, a virtual unknown in Venezuela before signing for $8,000. He led the Rookie-level Pioneer League in hits in 2002 before topping the low Class A Midwest League in batting, hits and doubles last year. Callaspo has such uncanny bat control that scouts mention names like Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn when describing his swing. He employs a similar contact-based approach with a short swing. While his raw power is limited, he hits the ball squarely and shows enough sock to drive the ball into the alleys. He has outstanding range with quick, soft hands and is exceptional at turning the double play. He's a solid-average runner who could play shortstop. While Callaspo puts everything he swings at in play, he's not selective and rarely walks. He needs to become more patient as he faces more advanced pitching. Coming off an outstanding winter performance in Venezuela, where he competed for another batting title, Callaspo will head to high Class A. He's probably 21⁄2 years away from Anaheim.
Signed out of Venezuela by Amador Arias and Carlos Porte, Callaspo finished third in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League with a .356 average in 2001. He continued to hit in his U.S. debut, leading the Pioneer League in hits, triples and runs. He combined with Eric Aybar to form what Provo manager Tom Kotchman called the best double-play combination he's had during his long career. Callaspo demonstrates a more advanced approach than Aybar at the plate. He works the count and is tough to strike out, though his ability to make contact limits his chances of drawing walks. His bat-handling skills include bunting. Callaspo has average speed and good baserunning instincts. He's not quite as flashy as Aybar in the field, but Callaspo has quick, sure hands and a solid arm. The two should move up the ladder together a level at a time, unless Callaspo hits enough to prompt a midseason jump at some point. They're both set to play in low Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Callaspo moved from second base to shortstop this season, as well as jumping from low Class A to the TL. Neither adjustment went perfectly, but Callaspo's talent shined through. He was the toughest player to strike out in the minor leagues, with just 25 in 550 at-bats. Callaspo ranked third in the league in hits and ninth in doubles, and his 47 walks were a career high. His best role offensively is as a table-setter at the top of the order, where his ability to make contact works against him. He needs to be more patient to drive the ball and take more walks. Defensively, he has the tools to play short, but his size and the Angels' depth at short make it likely he'll move back to second base--where he's exceptional.
Managers and scouts had difficulty separating Callaspo from his double-play partner, Erick Aybar, who's four spots down the list. They're similar players and Callaspo, the MWL's best defensive second baseman, could have played shortstop for most clubs in the league. He has exceptional range for second base, and his ability to turn the double play is even better. Callaspo also handles the bat well. He won't hit for power with his slap approach--one scout compared his short flick to Hall of Famer Rod Carew's--but he could be an on-base machine if he learns to draw more walks. He was the second-toughest player in the minors to strike out, and he led the MWL in batting, runs, hits and doubles. Though not a burner, he's a good baserunner because he's quick and instinctive.
Callaspo and partner Eric Aybar formed the Pioneer League's most stylish double-play combo. Callaspo is very athletic and plays hard, drawing comparisons to Tony Fernandez and Mark McLemore. One manager even invoked the name of Roberto Alomar. Callaspo turns two well and shows great footwork, hands and range. He has flair, but can calm himself down and make the routine plays. He also turns up-the-middle base hits into outs. "If there was a minor league ESPN, he'd be on it one out of three nights," Kotchman said. Callaspo lacks the arm strength to move to shortstop but could fill in there if needed. He also can hit despite his slight 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame, leading the league in runs, hits and triples while ranking second in RBIs and fourth in batting. On the basepaths, he displays plus speed.