Welinson Baez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1397
AVG	.243
OBP	.314
SLG	.384
HR	29

Full name Welinson Ramon Baez
Born 07/07/1984 in Bani, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Baez has incredible physical ability, but other than 170 at-bats in short-season ball two years ago, the Phillies haven't seen much out of their $250,000 investment out of the Dominican in 2002. Phillies officials rave about how Baez plays during instructional league and spring training, but the production hasn't been there when it counts. Baez drips tools, with his power and arm strength rating as his best assets. Baez has a 70 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale, and the potential for huge raw pop. He has good hands for third base and has shown above-average range. Baez went through his toughest year in 2006--his first full season--as he failed to recognize breaking balls and his plate discipline was abysmal. The Phillies want to see more aggressiveness out of Baez, who often fell behind in counts in low Class A and struggled against quality breaking pitches, leading to him topping the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. Baez should return to low Class A to build on the confidence he once again built up during instructional league.
Baez' immense physical gifts, including a power arm that led some scouts to project him as a pitcher, earned him a $250,000 signing bonus. In 2005, he finally shed a reputation for hitting well in extended spring training before fizzling in actual league play. He was short-season Batavia's most dangerous hitter while playing out of position at shortstop to accommodate second-round pick Mike Costanzo. Filling out physically and recognizing breaking balls better allowed Baez to show the first signs of unleashing his plus loft power. His 70 arm strength on the 20-80 scouting scale rates as the organization's best, and he makes accurate throws as well. He charges bunts well and shows soft hands. Baez remains raw and will have to continue to make adjustments. His size means he must work to stay low in his defensive positioning to gather more groundballs. Baez owns one of the highest ceilings in the organization. The Phillies will try to separate him and Costanzo in 2006 so both can play third base, and Baez likely will go to low Class A.
Baez is still working on translating the immense raw tools that earned him a $250,000 bonus into consistent performance in games. He is an impressive physical specimen with the size and strength to hit for plus power. His athleticism and soft hands should make him a superior defender. He can make backhanded plays at third base that some in the organization call amazing. His plus-plus arm strength moved some in the organization to think about putting Baez on the mound. He would benefit greatly from maturity, as a person and a player. Baez must learn to recognize breaking balls better, though he stopped fishing for the bad ones as much as the season progressed. Making consistent contact is still more of a goal than reality. He puzzled some in the organization by hitting well in extended spring training and instructional league, but not producing during the regular season. That could be because he lacked game experience after being signed out of a tryout camp. Baez remains the type who could be an explosive player if everything clicks, though that process could take a while. The Phillies hope it happens at Batavia following another stint in extended spring training.
Signed for $250,000 in the summer of 2002, Baez illustrates both the Phillies' efforts in Latin America and depth at third base. He's still raw, but his overall package of tools ranks among the best in the organization. He reminds some Phillies officials of Juan Richardson from a physical and mental standpoint. Richardson struggled in his first year in the United States. Once he made cultural adjustments, he gained confidence and improved rapidly on the field. Baez generates good bat speed and power. The ball really jumps when he makes contact, but that's the rub. He's a free swinger who must improve his ability to identify pitches and not chase poor ones. He also has a few holes in his swing. At third base, Baez gets good reads off the bat and displays average to plus hands and arm strength. His speed is fringe average. He has the skills and athleticism to play shortstop in a pinch, but will grow too big for the position as he fills out his 6-foot-4 frame. Baez didn't play much organized baseball until he signed and needs more experience to enhance his feel for the game. His spring performance will determine his destination in 2004, and a return to the Gulf Coast League wouldn't be viewed as a setback.

Minor League Top Prospects

Of the shortstops on the list, Baez may be the most likely to change positions. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he's large for a shortstop and may profile better as a third baseman. Baez struggled for two seasons in the GCL before breaking out in 2005. His frame, smooth swing and patience give reason to believe that he'll blossom into a power hitter. Defensively, Baez has an outstanding arm and plus hands. Primarily a third baseman before 2005, he saw action at the hot corner with Batavia. With Jimmy Rollins signed to a long-term contract, third base is also a position of greater need for the Phillies.