Audy Ciriaco Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4313
AVG	.243
OBP	.285
SLG	.374
HR	98

Full name Audy Alexander Ciriaco
Born 06/16/1987 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Tigers like Ciriaco's tools. He's an intriguing yet unpolished athlete, with a long frame, strong arm, athletic actions and a high ceiling. Signed for $175,000 at age 17, he went straight from the Dominican Republic to extended spring training and then the Gulf Coast League. He repeated the GCL last season and didn't do as well offensively in his encore. Ciriaco has a quick bat and some strength, but he'll have to make adjustments to handle breaking pitches in order to realize his power potential. He made some modest gains in terms of plate discipline last year, which was encouraging. He's quick but doesn't projects to steal many bases. Defensively, Ciriaco has the range, hands and arm to stay at shortstop despite his size. He was more consistent defensively in his second season in the United States. He'll make the jump to low Class A this year, where he'll be one of the youngest players in the Midwest League.
The Tigers have a few young Latin American players they have hopes for, none more so than Ciriaco, who signed for $175,000 last February. He struggled at first in extended spring training, then made enough adjustments to earn an assignment to the Gulf Coast League. He got off to a hot start in the GCL before fading, and how he develops physically in the offseason will determine where he starts the 2006 season. Ciriaco's skills could land him on a full-season roster. He has a long, lanky frame closer to that of Shawon Dunston or fellow Tigers farmhand Brent Dlugach, rather than the typical waterbug Latin American shortstop. He has fluid actions with good quickness, soft hands and an above-average arm that plays well at short. He has good bat speed, a sound stroke and some strength, though he needs more. The Tigers project him to hit for power in the future. Ciriaco remains raw and undisciplined at the plate, and he needs to prove he can maintain his play over a long period of time. Nevertheless, the Tigers are excited about his future.