Hanser Alberto

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #17 prospect in 2016
  Alberto built on the progress he made in 2014 by following up with a strong 2015 at Triple-A Round Rock. He made his major league debut on May 29 and stayed with the big league team for a month playing mostly second base before returning to Round Rock, then came back up in August and served as a reserve infielder down the stretch. Alberto is an average runner who has made himself into an above-average defender at shortstop. He has solid range to both sides, makes all the routine plays, has good hands and a 55 arm with good accuracy. His hand-eye coordination helps him both in the field and at the plate, where he makes frequent contact. Sometimes his coordination is a detriment because he makes weak contact with borderline pitches that he should lay off instead of taking a more selective approach to drive the ball with more authority. Alberto made progress with his breaking ball recognition, keeping his lower half in better position to allow himself to track pitches better, but because he doesn't walk much and has well-below-average power, his offensive value is dependent on a fairly empty batting average. Alberto could contribute in 2016 as a utility man, which is likely his best role in the future as well.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #30 prospect in 2015
  Alberto returned to Myrtle Beach for a third season to start 2014 and earned a promotion to Double-A Frisco in July. Alberto has become an above-average fielder at shortstop. He makes all the routine plays with a tick above-average, accurate arm, and he improved his range to both sides. An average runner, he has good hand-eye coordination that's evident in the field and at the plate, where he makes frequent contact. It's a line-drive stroke with well below-average power, but Alberto gets himself into trouble with his aggressive, pull-conscious approach. Alberto might never hit enough to be an everyday shortstop, but his defensive skills and contact bat could make him a nice utility player.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #15 prospect in 2013
  Alberto hit .358 to win the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League batting title during his 2010 pro debut, but he didn't gain prospect helium until he reached full-season ball two years later. He made the South Atlantic League all-star team during the first half of 2012, then moved on to high Class A and served as the Carolina League's second-youngest regular. Alberto doesn't have standout tools, but he does have quick hands and a knack for squaring up the ball, which should enable him to hit for a solid average. He doesn't swing and miss much but he doesn't walk much either, and he offers just gap power potential. Alberto runs well underway, but he grades more as solid in that regard and isn't as explosive on the bases or in the field as Leury Garcia or Luis Sardinas, the shortstops one level ahead of and one level behind him. Alberto plays to his strengths better than they do, however, giving him a higher floor. He flashes a plus arm and has steady range, hands and actions at shortstop. A stint in the Arizona Fall League could prepare Alberto for an assignment to Double-A, which would keep the organization's shortstops in the same lock-step pattern as 2012.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #12 prospect in 2012
  Alberto earned South Atlantic League all-star honors in the first half, batting .337/.385/.463 splitting time in Hickory's middle infield with Rougned Odor and Luis Sardinas. He became the CL's second-youngest regular following a late-June promotion, and while his numbers at Myrtle Beach weren't as impressive, his tools still attracted attention and drew comparisons to those of Elvis Andrus. Alberto has fast hands and drives the ball to all fields. Some of his doubles should turn into homers as he adds strength and experience. He can be impatient at the plate, though he makes contact with ease. An above-average runner, Alberto uses his speed on the bases and in the infield. He has plus range, soft hands and a strong, accurate arm at shortstop. He made just 10 errors in 65 games with the Pelicans.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  Alberto built on the progress he made in 2014 by following up with a strong 2015 at Triple-A Round Rock. He made his major league debut on May 29 and stayed with the big league team for a month playing mostly second base before returning to Round Rock, then came back up in August and served as a reserve infielder down the stretch. Alberto is an average runner who has made himself into an above-average defender at shortstop. He has solid range to both sides, makes all the routine plays, has good hands and a 55 arm with good accuracy. His hand-eye coordination helps him both in the field and at the plate, where he makes frequent contact. Sometimes his coordination is a detriment because he makes weak contact with borderline pitches that he should lay off instead of taking a more selective approach to drive the ball with more authority. Alberto made progress with his breaking ball recognition, keeping his lower half in better position to allow himself to track pitches better, but because he doesn't walk much and has well-below-average power, his offensive value is dependent on a fairly empty batting average. Alberto could contribute in 2016 as a utility man, which is likely his best role in the future as well.