Mario Encarnacion

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #28 prospect in 2002
  Encarnacion teased the Athletics with his tools for years, but they finally got tired of waiting and sent him to Colorado in a three-team deal that landed Jermaine Dye in Oakland and Neifi Perez in Kansas City last summer. There's no question about Encarnacion's physical skills. He covers a lot of ground in center field and has a strong arm. Offensively, he offers plenty of raw power and speed. But he hasn't produced much because he lacks instincts and plate discipline. He also makes mistakes on the bases and in the outfield. Before handing him a big league job, the Rockies want him to prove he can make the necessary adjustments, so he's ticketed for Triple-A. He didn't make much progress playing in his native Dominican Republic this winter.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #4 prospect in 2001
  Since the day he signed, Encarnacion has excited the A's. He's a complete package but has shown a pattern of needing two years at each stop before advancing, and he was hampered by injuries through most of 2000. Encarnacion is a five-tool player with an abundance of natural ability. He has proven himself as a legitimate center fielder, though his future is more likely to be in right because he has a strong arm. He also has shown an excellent attitude and great desire. Encarnacion could have used the development time he lost last season. He never has hit for average because he misses hittable pitches and swings at bad ones. He has been slow to make adjustments. His power potential continues to exceed his power production, and he continues to make mistakes of youth in the outfield, missing cutoff men and throwing to the wrong base. Encarnacion has an outside shot at winning Oakland's right-field job in spring training. More likely, Jeremy Giambi and Adam Piatt will platoon while Encarnacion returns to Triple-A.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #6 prospect in 1999
  Background: Encarnacion made his first A's Top 10 list--at No. 7--in 1996, before he had played a single game in the United States. He has been a prospect to watch ever since. Strengths: Encarnacion has a classic athletic build, with a long lean body. The A's think he will hit for both power and average, and as he fills out, the power could be significant. Most impressive last season was his great improvement on defense. He played some center field and proved more than satisfactory. He has a plus throwing arm. The A's like his attitude and work ethic. Weaknesses: Breaking balls cause enormous problems, and that can only be resolved through experience facing better pitching. Encarnacion has struck out more than 120 times each of the last three seasons. The Future: The A's will not decide where to place Encarnacion until spring training after they've evaluated his progress this winter in the Domincan League. He could start the season either in Midland or Vancouver.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #90 prospect in 2000

• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Encarnacion made his first A's Top 10 list--at No. 7--in 1996, before he had played a single game in the United States. He has been a prospect to watch ever since. Strengths: Encarnacion has a classic athletic build, with a long lean body. The A's think he will hit for both power and average, and as he fills out, the power could be significant. Most impressive last season was his great improvement on defense. He played some center field and proved more than satisfactory. He has a plus throwing arm. The A's like his attitude and work ethic. Weaknesses: Breaking balls cause enormous problems, and that can only be resolved through experience facing better pitching. Encarnacion has struck out more than 120 times each of the last three seasons. The Future: The A's will not decide where to place Encarnacion until spring training after they've evaluated his progress this winter in the Domincan League. He could start the season either in Midland or Vancouver.