Wilfred Veras

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #17 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Veras has baseball bloodlines as the son of former big leaguer Wilton Veras and nephew of Fernando Tatis Sr. He made it to Double-A Birmingham in 2023 while still just 20 years old and performed well there, with a batting line of .309/.346/.533. He combined for 17 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Veras has gotten considerably bigger since starting pro ball, with around 50 pounds of added weight since signing.
  
  Scouting Report: It’s all about the bat for Veras because he doesn’t provide a lot of defensive value. With the hard work he’s been putting into his game, he could become an above-average hitter with plus power at the absolute high end. Veras can hit to all fields with an aggressive approach. He handles breaking balls well but struggles at times with premium velocity. His plans at the plate need to improve because he chases balls out of the zone too frequently. Originally a corner infielder, Veras moved to the outfield during 2022 instructional league, and he primarily played right field in 2023. He’s a below-average defender, and flashes an average arm when he is able to get through his throws. A below-average runner, Veras can get down the line well for his size and can go first to third well enough.
  
  The Future: Improving his defense will be the key to Veras’ ultimate role, whether it’s left field, first base or DH, with his work ethic giving him a chance to stay in the outfield. He’ll need to show that he can consistently handle velocity to tap into his power at higher levels. Having just turned 21, a return to Double-A is the likely starting point in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #17 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Veras has baseball bloodlines, as the son of former big leaguer Wilton Veras and nephew of Fernando Tatis Sr. He forged his own path forward in 2022 by getting his body in better shape and moving to the outfield from the corner infield. His game power emerged with 20 home runs in a season split between Low-A Kannapolis and Double-A Birmingham. A strikeout rate of just under 30% at both levels shows there's still a need for a better plan at the plate, but he played the whole season as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Veras takes big swings at the plate, and when he squares up, the ball jumps off his bat. It's a swing looking to do damage, with a small load and short stride. He has the plus raw power to hit home runs to all fields, though at times he sells out for his power and sacrifices contact by doing so. Veras will always be a bat-first profile and is likely limited to left field. He could do a better job showing urgency as a defender on a more consistent basis. Scouts also thought his arm looked worse in the outfield than it previously did at third base. At best it's an average arm that plays down because his throws are not always consistent or accurate. He's a below-average runner but isn't a base clogger and can go first to third well enough.
  
  The Future: Veras has middle-the-order power--which is a valuable commodity--but here are other parts of his game that need improvement. He'll get the chance to make the necessary adjustments at High-A Winston-Salem in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #29 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Veras is part of a family that’s become baseball royalty in the Dominican Republic. His father, Wilton, played two seasons with the Red Sox at the turn of the 21st century, but most notably, his mother is the sister of Fernando Tatis, Sr. Veras impressed opposing evaluators in the Arizona Complex League with his raw power and hitting skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Veras has big raw power that he can get to with a strong, compact swing. A free swinger who makes minimal adjustments, he still has improvement ahead, but he’s competitive in the box and grinds out at-bats. His long term defensive home is still in question. Veras split time at both corner infield positions, while also working out in the outfield. He’s a below-average runner with an average arm.
  
  The Future: Veras is still very much a work in progress, but the hit tool and raw power will give him plenty of opportunities to develop. He could break camp with the squad going to Low-A Kannapolis.
  

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Veras has baseball bloodlines, as the son of former big leaguer Wilton Veras and nephew of Fernando Tatis Sr. He forged his own path forward in 2022 by getting his body in better shape and moving to the outfield from the corner infield. His game power emerged with 20 home runs in a season split between Low-A Kannapolis and Double-A Birmingham. A strikeout rate of just under 30% at both levels shows there's still a need for a better plan at the plate, but he played the whole season as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Veras takes big swings at the plate, and when he squares up, the ball jumps off his bat. It's a swing looking to do damage, with a small load and short stride. He has the plus raw power to hit home runs to all fields, though at times he sells out for his power and sacrifices contact by doing so. Veras will always be a bat-first profile and is likely limited to left field. He could do a better job showing urgency as a defender on a more consistent basis. Scouts also thought his arm looked worse in the outfield than it previously did at third base. At best it's an average arm that plays down because his throws are not always consistent or accurate. He's a below-average runner but isn't a base clogger and can go first to third well enough.
  
  The Future: Veras has middle-the-order power--which is a valuable commodity--but here are other parts of his game that need improvement. He'll get the chance to make the necessary adjustments at High-A Winston-Salem in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Veras has baseball bloodlines, as the son of former big leaguer Wilton Veras and nephew of Fernando Tatis Sr. He forged his own path forward in 2022 by getting his body in better shape and moving to the outfield from the corner infield. His game power emerged with 20 home runs in a season split between Low-A Kannapolis and Double-A Birmingham. A strikeout rate of just under 30% at both levels shows there's still a need for a better plan at the plate, but he played the whole season as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Veras takes big swings at the plate, and when he squares up, the ball jumps off his bat. It's a swing looking to do damage, with a small load and short stride. He has the plus raw power to hit home runs to all fields, though at times he sells out for his power and sacrifices contact by doing so. Veras will always be a bat-first profile and is likely limited to left field. He could do a better job showing urgency as a defender on a more consistent basis. Scouts also thought his arm looked worse in the outfield than it previously did at third base. At best it's an average arm that plays down because his throws are not always consistent or accurate. He's a below-average runner but isn't a base clogger and can go first to third well enough.
  
  The Future: Veras has middle-the-order power--which is a valuable commodity--but here are other parts of his game that need improvement. He'll get the chance to make the necessary adjustments at High-A Winston-Salem in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Veras is part of a family that’s become baseball royalty in the Dominican Republic. His father, Wilton, played two seasons with the Red Sox at the turn of the 21st century, but most notably, his mother is the sister of Fernando Tatis, Sr. Veras impressed opposing evaluators in the Arizona Complex League with his raw power and hitting skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Veras has big raw power that he can get to with a strong, compact swing. A free swinger who makes minimal adjustments, he still has improvement ahead, but he’s competitive in the box and grinds out at-bats. His long term defensive home is still in question. Veras split time at both corner infield positions, while also working out in the outfield. He’s a below-average runner with an average arm.
  
  The Future: Veras is still very much a work in progress, but the hit tool and raw power will give him plenty of opportunities to develop. He could break camp with the squad going to Low-A Kannapolis.