Cesar Izturis

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 2001
  Izturis' brother Maicer has experienced injury problems but remains one of the Indians' better prospects. Cesar skipped Double-A in 2000 and was the youngest player in the Triple-A International League. His build, actions and range, as well as Venezuelan descent, invite comparisons to perennial Gold Glover Omar Vizquel. Managers ranked him as having the IL's best infield arm. Jays officials were pleased with the way he handled his offensive struggles in 2000, keeping his head up and remaining confident in his abilities. Izturis got the bat knocked out of his hands consistently by more experienced pitchers. He didn't help matters by chasing pitches out of the strike zone, whether he was ahead or behind in the count. He also needs to work on keeping the ball on the ground. Organization officials pushed Izturis hoping he would have proven more ready for a 2001 shot at the big leagues, but they are confident he could handle the position and the pressure in Toronto if need be. If not, he'll return to Syracuse.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 2000
  Background: Izturis compares favorably to countryman Vizquel, in fact better than Lopez does. Despite being one of the younger players in the league, Izturis was the Florida State League's No. 5 prospect. Izturis played 45 games at second base and 84 at shortstop for Class A Dunedin. Strengths: Izturis has exceptional baseball instincts. He's a plus runner with the quickness to play short on artificial turf. He combines soft hands and good lower-body balance with a strong throwing arm. Izturis is a slap hitter from both sides but can drive the ball into the gaps occasionally. Advanced for his age, he is an excellent bunter and hit-and-run artist. Weaknesses: Izturis doesn't have a high ceiling offensively and will have to continue to hone his skills, especially in learning how to use his good hand-eye coordination to draw more walks. The Future: Izturis already speaks fluent English and is considered a leader by the organization, which will help his advancement.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #10 prospect in 2001
  The IL's 98-pound weakling in 2000, Izturis was the one kicking sand in people's faces this season. As a 20-year-old rookie who never had played above Class A, Izturis batted just .218 a year ago. But this year, armed with a better knowledge of how to work the count, he hit .292 in 87 games for the SkyChiefs and spent a considerable amount of time in Toronto. Still one of the youngest players in the league, he was also its most improved. He made more contact and was steadier in every aspect of the game, though he still could use more patience at the plate. "Compare last year to this year," said Omar Malave, his manager. "He's been solid the whole year. And next year there will be a spot open for him up there." Izturis is a defensive whiz who can play shortstop or second base, and now he has dispelled worries about whether he would hit enough to play in the majors. He'll never put up A-Rod numbers at shortstop, but his performance will make Toronto consider trading veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
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  Ranked International League #20 prospect in 2000
  Making a jump from Class A to Triple-A, Izturis looked out of place on some nights this season. But he showed off one of the best arms in the league and was able to survive the test. And while the Blue Jays traded away some of its minor league infield depth, they declined all inquiries about Izturis. In contrast Wells' second season in Syracuse, less will be expected of Izturis and perhaps he'll show more when he almost certainly returns to the IL in 2001. If he can draw more walks he might make a good leadoff man, because he runs well and makes solid contact. "From what I've seen, he's the best defensive shortstop in the league," Syracuse manager Mel Queen said. "He's going to hit a little bit. He's 20 and came out of A-ball, so it was a pretty big jump for him."
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  Ranked Florida State League #5 prospect in 1999
  Many managers felt Izturis was the most exciting player in the league after Wells was promoted. This Venezuela product impressed managers as a future big league shortstop. "He has the best hands in the league," Clearwater manager Bill Dancy said. "He's got outstanding range. He's capable of hitting from both sides of the plate." Izturis ranked sixth in the league in batting, third in triples and second in hits while always being on top of his game defensively. "I liked the way he went about his business," Dorante said. "He's a line-drive hitter, switch-hits, can bunt, runs pretty good. I remember when I saw him last year in the South Atlantic League and I thought, 'Man, where'd this guy come from?' "

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Making a jump from Class A to Triple-A, Izturis looked out of place on some nights this season. But he showed off one of the best arms in the league and was able to survive the test. And while the Blue Jays traded away some of its minor league infield depth, they declined all inquiries about Izturis. In contrast Wells' second season in Syracuse, less will be expected of Izturis and perhaps he'll show more when he almost certainly returns to the IL in 2001. If he can draw more walks he might make a good leadoff man, because he runs well and makes solid contact. "From what I've seen, he's the best defensive shortstop in the league," Syracuse manager Mel Queen said. "He's going to hit a little bit. He's 20 and came out of A-ball, so it was a pretty big jump for him."
• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Many managers felt Izturis was the most exciting player in the league after Wells was promoted. This Venezuela product impressed managers as a future big league shortstop. "He has the best hands in the league," Clearwater manager Bill Dancy said. "He's got outstanding range. He's capable of hitting from both sides of the plate." Izturis ranked sixth in the league in batting, third in triples and second in hits while always being on top of his game defensively. "I liked the way he went about his business," Dorante said. "He's a line-drive hitter, switch-hits, can bunt, runs pretty good. I remember when I saw him last year in the South Atlantic League and I thought, 'Man, where'd this guy come from?' "