Javier Vaz Stats & Scouting Report

AB	433
AVG	.263
OBP	.375
SLG	.379
HR	8

Full name Javier Rafael Vaz
Born 09/22/2000 in Huntsville, AL
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 151 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Vanderbilt
Drafted in the 15th round (445th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2022 (signed for $125,000).

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Vaz began his career at Louisiana State-Eunice JC before transferring to Vanderbilt, where he didn’t earn regular playing time until his second season with the Commodores. The Royals signed him to a $125,000 bonus in the 15th round of the 2022 draft, and he quickly turned into one of the best pure hitters in their system. The son of Roberto Vaz, a former minor leaguer and current hitting coach in the Cubs system, Javier hit .279 and walked 64 times compared to 50 strikeouts across two levels in 2023 and ended the year with Double-A northwest Arkansas.

Scouting Report: Vaz has advanced bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility. His setup and swing mechanics are efficient, he makes elite swing decisions and consistently finds the barrel. He uses small ball to his advantage, and his 3.3% swinging-strike rate was the third-lowest rate among minor leaguers with at least 400 plate appearances. He has well below-average power but can drive balls to the gaps, and he turned on enough pitches to hit a career-high eight homers in 2023. A plus runner, Vaz is an efficient basestealer who swiped 30 bags on 33 attempts in 2023. A fringe-average defender with a below-average arm, Vaz adds value by playing multiple positions both in the middle infield and outfield.

The Future: A gamer and fierce competitor, Vaz’s advanced contact ability, speed and defensive versatility make him an intriguing prospect in a super utility role. He should reach Triple-A Omaha in 2024, and a late-season callup to Kansas City is not out of the question.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40

Career Transactions

Omaha Storm Chasers activated LF Javier Vaz.
LF Javier Vaz assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Quad Cities River Bandits activated OF Javier Vaz from the 7-day injured list.
Quad Cities River Bandits placed OF Javier Vaz on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 13, 2023.
OF Javier Vaz assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
OF Javier Vaz assigned to Kansas City Royals.
OF Javier Vaz roster status changed by Kansas City Royals.