Jose Briceno Stats & Scouting Report

AB	148
AVG	.203
OBP	.256
SLG	.257
HR	1

Full name José Manuel Briceño
Born 09/19/1992 in Caracas, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 05/26/2018

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Signed by the Rockies in 2009 and traded to the Braves for David Hale in Jan. 2015, Briceno joined Andrelton Simmons in the trade to the Angels in Nov. 2015. After quietly ascending as one of the top defensive catchers in the Angels system, Briceno made his big league debut in 2018.

Scouting Report: Briceno's defense is his calling card. He presents a strong target, is a willing blocker and shuts down running games. He has above-average arm strength with above-average accuracy, an efficient transfer and clean footwork. The result was 44 percent of attempted basestealers thrown out in his major league debut, compared to the average of 28 percent. Briceno packs impressive raw power to all fields and enough contact ability to get to it. He's a fringe-average hitter who doesn't walk much, but his power plays.

The Future: Briceno has all the traits of a defensive-oriented backup who plays in the majors for a long time. He's ready to serve in that role for the Angels in 2019.
Briceno spent an entire year with a full-season club for the first time in 2014 and his catching improved dramatically. He has the tools to be a standout catcher, with a well above-average arm with above-average accuracy, and he recorded pop times of about 1.8 seconds on throws to second base thanks to an efficient exchange. He is working to block balls better, and if he gets that down he could move quickly. Briceno is a potential impact bat with impressive raw power to all fields. He tried too hard to hit home runs in the first half of the 2014 season, so he was pull-happy and guessing, which led to one in 141 at-bats. He settled down in the second half and hit 11 homers in 174 at-bats. Better posture at the plate helped him. Briceno used to be hunched over and was vulnerable to fastballs inside, so he had to cheat, but now he is more upright and can handle all pitch types. He is introverted, so he'll have to work on his leadership, which the Rockies stressed in instructional league. He'll move up to high Class A Modesto in 2015.
Briceno signed for $250,000 in 2009 and played his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer League. He began 2013 at Rookie-level Grand Junction, where he hit .333/.356/.614 with nine homers in 153 at-bats to earn a promotion to low Class A Asheville in early August. At the conclusion of the Tourists' season, Briceno returned to Grand Junction for the Pioneer League playoffs. His best tools are his above-average power and arm strength. The raw catching tools, with solid feet and good hands, are evident, so now it's a matter of repetition and refinement. He struggles to block pitches in the dirt because he doesn't anticipate the ball well. Briceno has an inside-out swing with some length and is a low-ball hitter. He struggled to hit breaking pitches at Asheville, but worked to tone down his leg kick in instructional league, develop a better hitting base and slow the game down. Briceno is mature in the hips and legs, prompting concern about diminished speed (currently average) and flexibility his down the road. A move to first base might ultimately result. Regardless, Briceno has a chance to wield an impact bat. He will probably return to Asheville to begin 2014 but could earn another midseason promotion.

Minor League Top Prospects

Briceno played his first two pro seasons in the DSL, but a shoulder injury in 2012 limited him to seven games during his first attempt at the PL. He returned to Grand Junction this June after spending April at low Class A Asheville, though he returned to the Tourists in August and made his way back down to the PL in September for the Rockies? playoff push. Briceno projects to hit for power, though he?s more of a pull hitter at this stage who struggles with balls away, so he may not hit for a high average. An average runner, he shows good instincts on the bases, and he stole eight bases in 10 tries this season. Behind the plate, Briceno has a plus arm that he used to throw out 27 percent of basestealers with Grand Junction and 39 percent with Asheville. He needs to improve his pitch blocking and game calling, but evaluators regard him as a hard worker who will put in the time to get better.

Career Transactions

Diablos Rojos del Mexico released C José Briceño.
C José Briceño assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
C José Briceño assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated C José Briceño from the 7-day injured list.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed C José Briceño on the 7-day injured list.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated C José Briceño from the 7-day injured list.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed C José Briceño on the 7-day injured list.
C José Briceño assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Omaha Storm Chasers activated C José Briceño.
Omaha Storm Chasers activated C José Briceño.
C José Briceño assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers.
C José Briceño roster status changed by Kansas City Royals.
Kansas City Royals signed free agent C José Briceño to a minor league contract.