| AB | 183 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .208 |
| OBP | .336 |
| SLG | .268 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Adrian Placencia
- Born 06/02/2003 in Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 173 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 45/High
Track Record: Placencia was one of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international class when he signed with the Angels for $1.1 million, but his pro debut stalled a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. After struggling in the Arizona Complex League in 2021, he had a standout season with Low-A Inland Empire in 2022, posting an .814 OPS with 13 home runs while also striking out in 30.3% of his plate appearances. He performed around league average with a 96 wRC+ with High-A Tri-City in 2023 before finishing his season with brief stints in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Placencia is an undersized switch-hitting middle infielder. He shows a feel for hitting from both sides of the plate with quick hands and fair barrel control. He knows the strike zone and will draw walks but will get anxious leading to poor pitch selection and swing-and-miss on both breaking balls and moderate-velocity fastballs. He needs to develop his approach to limit mistakes that lead to easy outs. He has solid strength and plus bat speed with sneaky pop and hard contact, but his diminutive frame limits his power. Signed as a shortstop, he lacks the actions and arm to stick on the left side of the infield. His range could make him an above-average defender at second base if he maintains his athleticism while physically maturing. He is an instinctual baserunner with below-average speed.
The Future: Just 20 years old entering 2024, Placencia is trending in a positive direction offensively. He’ll start the season at Double-A and projects as a future second-division regular at second base.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45 -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international class, Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as a hit-first, switch-hitting middle infielder. He hit well at instructional league in 2020 but struggled to make contact in his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021, hitting .175 with a 28.0% strikeout rate. Placencia's knee bothered him for most of his full season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022, but he still performed well with an .813 OPS as one of the youngest players in the California League.
Scouting Report: Placencia has a slender, 5-foot-11 build but has sneaky impact in his bat. He shows a feel for hitting from both sides of the plate with quick hands and good barrel control to project as an average hitter. He struggles with pitch recognition and high-end velocity at times, but he sees a lot of pitches to draw walks and should improve with experience and physical maturity. Placencia has good strength for his size and plus bat speed, but his diminutive frame limits him to below-average power. Signed as a shortstop, Placencia has clean defensive actions but lacks the arm strength and quickness to stay at the position. He already plays second base primarily and projects to be an above-average defender with average arm strength. He has below-average speed but shows good instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Placencia will still be a teenager on 2023 Opening Day and will aim to improve his physicality and pitch recognition. If he does, he has a chance to be a utility middle infielder or second-division second baseman.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50. -
Track Record: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-2020 international class. After spending 2020 in instructional league, he made his professional debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2021. Placencia cleaned up some of his footwork and throwing mechanics on defense and showed glimpses of offensive potential, but he hit just .175/.326/.343 in 43 games.
Scouting Report: Placencia has an advanced feel for contact from both sides of the plate. He has quick hands and the barrel of his bat moves quickly through the zone. He limits his chase swings and doesn’t strike out often. Despite that strong foundation, Placencia struggled to hit in his pro debut in part because he doesn’t consistently hit the ball hard. He flashes surprising power for his small frame and has some natural lift in his swing, but on a pitch-to-pitch basis, he struggles to do damage. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange. He is a below-average runner and is better at second base than shortstop.
The Future: Placencia profiles better as a utilityman than an everyday player, but he’s still young and has time to add strength to his frame. He may see Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. -
TRACK RECORD: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international signing class. He did not play for an affiliate after signing, so the Angels got their first extended look at him during instructional league last fall.
SCOUTING REPORT: Still only 17, Placencia doesn't have the size right now to generate much impact at the plate. He does have a sound swing, uses his hands well, puts together quality at-bats and makes decently hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures physically and gains strength. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange at shortstop. He is a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Placencia is not quite as advanced as fellow 2019 international signee Arol Vera in terms of baseball IQ and maturity, but he's extremely athletic with explosive movements. He will likely start 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: Placencia drew attention early in the 2019 international signing class as a baseball rat with a competitive edge. He progressively became more and more of a prospect as he grew into his 5-foot- 11 frame, and the Angels gave him a $1.1 million bonus to sign on July 2.
SCOUTING REPORT: Placencia is presently scrawny at a generously-listed 170 pounds, but he drives the ball hard for his size. He has a sound swing, puts together quality at-bats and makes hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures. Placencia signed as a shortstop, but he is a below-average runner expected to eventually move to second base. He has soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange.
THE FUTURE: Placencia will still be 16 on Opening Day and has a long road ahead. He is slated to spend most of 2020 in the Dominican Summer League.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international class, Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as a hit-first, switch-hitting middle infielder. He hit well at instructional league in 2020 but struggled to make contact in his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021, hitting .175 with a 28.0% strikeout rate. Placencia's knee bothered him for most of his full season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022, but he still performed well with an .813 OPS as one of the youngest players in the California League.
Scouting Report: Placencia has a slender, 5-foot-11 build but has sneaky impact in his bat. He shows a feel for hitting from both sides of the plate with quick hands and good barrel control to project as an average hitter. He struggles with pitch recognition and high-end velocity at times, but he sees a lot of pitches to draw walks and should improve with experience and physical maturity. Placencia has good strength for his size and plus bat speed, but his diminutive frame limits him to below-average power. Signed as a shortstop, Placencia has clean defensive actions but lacks the arm strength and quickness to stay at the position. He already plays second base primarily and projects to be an above-average defender with average arm strength. He has below-average speed but shows good instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Placencia will still be a teenager on 2023 Opening Day and will aim to improve his physicality and pitch recognition. If he does, he has a chance to be a utility middle infielder or second-division second baseman.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international class, Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as a hit-first, switch-hitting middle infielder. He hit well at instructional league in 2020 but struggled to make contact in his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021, hitting .175 with a 28.0% strikeout rate. Placencia's knee bothered him for most of his full season debut at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022, but he still performed well with an .813 OPS as one of the youngest players in the California League.
Scouting Report: Placencia has a slender, 5-foot-11 build but has sneaky impact in his bat. He shows a feel for hitting from both sides of the plate with quick hands and good barrel control to project as an average hitter. He struggles with pitch recognition and high-end velocity at times, but he sees a lot of pitches to draw walks and should improve with experience and physical maturity. Placencia has good strength for his size and plus bat speed, but his diminutive frame limits him to below-average power. Signed as a shortstop, Placencia has clean defensive actions but lacks the arm strength and quickness to stay at the position. He already plays second base primarily and projects to be an above-average defender with average arm strength. He has below-average speed but shows good instincts on the basepaths.
The Future: Placencia will still be a teenager on 2023 Opening Day and will aim to improve his physicality and pitch recognition. If he does, he has a chance to be a utility middle infielder or second-division second baseman.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade: 40/High
Track Record: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-2020 international class. After spending 2020 in instructional league, he made his professional debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2021. Placencia cleaned up some of his footwork and throwing mechanics on defense and showed glimpses of offensive potential, but he hit just .175/.326/.343 in 43 games.
Scouting Report: Placencia has an advanced feel for contact from both sides of the plate. He has quick hands and the barrel of his bat moves quickly through the zone. He limits his chase swings and doesn't strike out often. Despite that strong foundation, Placencia struggled to hit in his pro debut in part because he doesn't consistently hit the ball hard. He flashes surprising power for his small frame and has some natural lift in his swing, but on a pitch-to-pitch basis, he struggles to do damage. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange. He is a below-average runner and is better at second base than shortstop.
The Future: Placencia profiles better as a utilityman than an everyday player, but he's still young and has time to add strength to his frame. He may see Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. -
Track Record: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-2020 international class. After spending 2020 in instructional league, he made his professional debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2021. Placencia cleaned up some of his footwork and throwing mechanics on defense and showed glimpses of offensive potential, but he hit just .175/.326/.343 in 43 games.
Scouting Report: Placencia has an advanced feel for contact from both sides of the plate. He has quick hands and the barrel of his bat moves quickly through the zone. He limits his chase swings and doesn’t strike out often. Despite that strong foundation, Placencia struggled to hit in his pro debut in part because he doesn’t consistently hit the ball hard. He flashes surprising power for his small frame and has some natural lift in his swing, but on a pitch-to-pitch basis, he struggles to do damage. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange. He is a below-average runner and is better at second base than shortstop.
The Future: Placencia profiles better as a utilityman than an everyday player, but he’s still young and has time to add strength to his frame. He may see Low-A Inland Empire in 2022. -
TRACK RECORD: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international signing class. He did not play for an affiliate after signing, so the Angels got their first extended look at him during instructional league last fall.
SCOUTING REPORT: Still only 17, Placencia doesn't have the size right now to generate much impact at the plate. He does have a sound swing, uses his hands well, puts together quality at-bats and makes decently hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures physically and gains strength. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange at shortstop. He is a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Placencia is not quite as advanced as fellow 2019 international signee Arol Vera in terms of baseball IQ and maturity, but he's extremely athletic with explosive movements. He will likely start 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international signing class. He did not play for an affiliate after signing, so the Angels got their first extended look at him during instructional league last fall.
SCOUTING REPORT: Still only 17, Placencia doesn't have the size right now to generate much impact at the plate. He does have a sound swing, uses his hands well, puts together quality at-bats and makes decently hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures physically and gains strength. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange at shortstop. He is a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Placencia is not quite as advanced as fellow 2019 international signee Arol Vera in terms of baseball IQ and maturity, but he's extremely athletic with explosive movements. He will likely start 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: The switch-hitting Placencia signed with the Angels for $1.1 million as one of the youngest players in the 2019-20 international signing class. He did not play for an affiliate after signing, so the Angels got their first extended look at him during instructional league last fall.
SCOUTING REPORT: Still only 17, Placencia doesn't have the size right now to generate much impact at the plate. He does have a sound swing, uses his hands well, puts together quality at-bats and makes decently hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures physically and gains strength. Defensively, Placencia has smooth actions, soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange at shortstop. He is a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Placencia is not quite as advanced as fellow 2019 international signee Arol Vera in terms of baseball IQ and maturity, but he's extremely athletic with explosive movements. He will likely start 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: Placencia drew attention early in the 2019 international signing class as a baseball rat with a competitive edge. He progressively became more and more of a prospect as he grew into his 5-foot- 11 frame, and the Angels gave him a $1.1 million bonus to sign on July 2.
SCOUTING REPORT: Placencia is presently scrawny at a generously-listed 170 pounds, but he drives the ball hard for his size. He has a sound swing, puts together quality at-bats and makes hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures. Placencia signed as a shortstop, but he is a below-average runner expected to eventually move to second base. He has soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange.
THE FUTURE: Placencia will still be 16 on Opening Day and has a long road ahead. He is slated to spend most of 2020 in the Dominican Summer League.
Career Transactions
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Tri-City Dust Devils activated SS Adrian Placencia.
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SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
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SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from Rocket City Trash Pandas.
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SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
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SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
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SS Adrian Placencia roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
