Francisco Plasencia

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #24 prospect in 2006
  Plasencia has average tools across the board, but he struggled to translate them into production while with the Brewers from 2001-03. Milwaukee released him early in 2004, and Nationals director of Latin American operations Ismael Cruz rediscovered him that fall playing in an unaffiliated Venezuelan league. Plasencia went to extended spring training last year and shortened his stroke while eliminating excess movement in his stance before the pitch. A gap-to-gap hitter with the ability to pull the ball out of the park, Plasencia is a good defender with average speed, good instincts and a strong, accurate arm in center field. He needs to continue to improve his pitch selection and not chase breaking balls in the dirt, and Washington would like to see him hit fewer fly balls and more line drives. The Nationals may try to push him to high Class A this year to see if he can become more than just a spare outfielder.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #28 prospect in 2002
  Reflecting the organization's renewed commitment to scouting Latin America, Plasencia is the only player from Venezuela in the top 30. The Brewers like to dream about what Plasencia might become. He's only 17 and thin as a reed, but he also moves with fluid grace in center field, reminding some of a very young Cesar Geronimo. Plasencia has great instincts and can chase down balls in the gaps with the best of them. He's also fundamentally sound, particularly for a player his age, and made just one error in 49 games in the field last year. As he fills out and becomes stronger, Milwaukee believes he'll be a .300 hitter and a threat on the basepaths. He draws plenty of walks, though he'll have to do a better job of making contact and learn to add at least a little power. Scouts who watched him in the Arizona League loved his tools and upside. He probably won't be ready for full-season ball until 2003 at the earliest.