Julian Benavidez Stats & Scouting Report

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Signed away from a scholarship offer to Arizona State, Benavidez impressed managers enough to be rated the No. 3 prospect in the Northwest League in his pro debut last summer. Salem skipper Fred Stanley, who played in the majors and used to run the Brewers system, compared him to a young Edgar Martinez because of his ability to drive the ball to all fields at a young age. Benavidez has more raw power than anyone in the system save fellow 2001 draftee Todd Linden, and the Giants expect some adjustments in his approach and swing will help bring it out soon. His swing tends to get long and Benavidez has had trouble identifying breaking balls. But he has no trouble hitting fastballs with authority and isn't afraid to work deep into a count. He's a streaky hitter, another indication of his youth. Defensively, his hands and range are average. He has an accurate arm with adequate strength when he doesn't short-arm his throws. A full season in low Class A will determine how fast a track his development will take.

One of the youngest players in the league, Benavidez didn't hit like it. Had he signed earlier, he might have had a shot at the league triple crown. He ranked fifth in batting and on-base percentage (.395) and third in slugging (.537). An Arizona State recruit out of junior college before signing with the Giants, Benavidez' approach at the plate and power to all fields reminded Stanley of a young Edgar Martinez. "I know that's a tough label," Stanley said, "but to be that young and be able to drive the ball to the opposite field is very impressive." Benavidez was adequate defensively at third, but he showed the tools needed for the position. He has decent hands and an accurate arm, though he tends to short-arm some throws. Managers kept coming back to his offense. "He has one of the highest ceilings in the league because of his really plus tools and his age," Pollreisz said. "His hitting and power are really plus tools. He has great power potential."