Balbino Fuenmayor Stats & Scouting Report

AB	76
AVG	.316
OBP	.373
SLG	.487
HR	3

Full name Balbino Rafael Fuenmayor
Born 11/26/1989 in Valencia, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School V.E. Liceo Belen School

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Fuenmayor signed with the Blue Jays for $725,000 in August 2006 following an impressive workout at Rogers Centre in front of general manager J.P. Ricciardi. He didn't fare well in his 2007 pro debut as one of the Gulf Coast League's youngest regulars, hitting just .174 and striking out 68 times to pace the league. He performed much better in his repeat of the GCL in 2008, showing a vastly improved hitting approach, including a willingness to go the other way. He still struggled at times with pitch recognition, but his compact swing and solid bat speed portend at least average hitting ability. Fuenmayor may be a late bloomer in terms of power because he still has to learn to turn on pitches consistently. If he does, he could develop average power. Hitting in the GCL is tough, though, because many of the pitchers who throw hard haven't yet refined their control. Already physically mature at age 18, Fuenmayor only will slow down as he ages, and he projects as a below-average runner. He shows below-average lateral movement at third base, too, and likely faces a move to first base or to the corner outfield in the future. His arm is average. Fuenmayor impressed the Blue Jays with his work ethic in 2008 and he has an outside shot at moving up to low Class A in 2009.
Following an impressive workout at Rogers Centre in front of general manager J.P. Ricciardi, Fuenmayor signed for $725,000 in 2006. Nothing went right for Fuenmayor in his pro debut last year, as he hit .174 and struck out a Gulf Coast League-leading 68 times. In his defense, he was one of the younger players in the GCL, which presents a tough environment for young hitters. Fuenmayor has a compact swing and solid bat speed, but he has yet to show the ability to pull pitches--not even in batting practice. Furthermore, he struggled mightily with his pitch recognition, which led to all the strikeouts. Though he has average arm strength, the athletic Fuenmayor showed below-average lateral movement at third base, which could improve with better footwork. He's a slightly below-average runner and will slow down as he fills out. More was expected of Fuenmayor because of the bonus he received, but the Blue Jays remain optimistic. More than likely, he'll get another shot at the GCL.
Following an impressive workout at Rogers Centre in front of general manager J.P. Ricciardi, Fuenmayor signed with the Blue Jays for $750,000. Toronto last invested heavily in a Venezuelan talent when they signed catcher Guillermo Quiroz for $1.2 million in 1998. Quiroz once ranked among the club's best prospects but was derailed by injuries and was claimed off waivers by the Mariners last April. Fuenmayor is athletic and has a chance to grow into power as he fills out. He has a lot of polish for a youngster, and his hitting ability is more advanced than his pop at this stage. He has a compact stroke with solid bat speed and the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. At third base, he shows easy arm strength to go with good hands, footwork and range. As with many teenagers, Fuenmayor isn't very refined defensively. While his arm is strong, he'll have to improve his throwing accuracy. Questions about his power potential will remain unanswered until he shows what he can do in pro ball. Because the Blue Jays won't operate an Appy League club in 2007, it's unclear where Fuenmayor will be assigned at the conclusion of extended spring training.

Minor League Top Prospects

Fuenmayor, the 2014 BA Independent Leagues Player of the Year, signed with the Blue Jays for $750,000 as a 16-year-old coming out of Venezuela in 2006. His career never got off the ground with Toronto, however, and they eventually released him when he failed to make it out of low Class A in seven pro seasons. But because he signed so young, Fuenmayor still was quite young at the time as his release. He went to the travel-team Frontier Greys in 2013 and landed in Quebec in time for that season's playoffs. In his return to Quebec this year, Fuenmayor was a revelation. His power potential has always been apparent, but thanks to a better approach this season and a willingness to cut down his swing with two strikes, he started striking out less and hitting for average. Fuenmayor still has an excellent arm, but he doesn't really have the footwork to project as a third baseman in affiliated ball. If he lost some weight, a corner outfield spot might become a sporadic possibility, but for now, he's a first baseman. His power, improved approach and relative youth should give him another shot at affiliated ball. He's playing in Venezuela this winter, which will give scouts another look at his improvements.