Adeiny Hechavarria

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #7 prospect in 2013
  Hechavarria defected from the Cuban junior national team in July 2009. After signing nine months later for a $10 million big league contract that included a Blue Jays-record $4 million bonus, he didn't produce much at the plate until reaching hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas in 2011. He continued to hit there in 2012, earning a big league callup in August. Three months later, he became a Marlin after the Jose Reyes/Mark Buehrle deal. Hechavarria has all the tools to contend for Gold Gloves at shortstop. He has plus range, hands and arm strength, though he's prone to throwing errors because he tends to flip the ball to first base. He's also an above-average runner though not a prolific basestealer. Scouts still aren't sold on Hechavarria's offensive ability, however. He has a simple swing and some bat speed but is still learning how to put together professional at-bats. While he's strong and has gap power, he doesn't project as a home run threat. His command of the strike zone regressed in his first taste of the majors. His defense alone will allow Hechavarria to carve out a big league career. If his offense is simply adequate, he'll secure an everyday job. He'll enter 2013 as the favorite to replace Reyes as Miami's shortstop.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #13 prospect in 2012
  A member of the Cuban junior national team, Hechavarria defected to Mexico in July 2009. Numerous teams coveted him, including the Yankees, but the Blue Jays signed him to a four-year major league contract with a club-record $4 million bonus and a total guarantee of $10 million in April 2010. Though he struggled at the plate during most of his two seasons in the United States, Toronto moved him up to Las Vegas last August to see if the hitter-friendly environment would get him going. It was just 25 games, but Hechavarria batted .389/.431/.537. Scouts expect him to hit for average because he has quick hands and a good swing path, but he doesn't walk much and strikes out too often because of poor plate discipline. He has gap power and may add strength, but he'll never be a significant home run threat. As long as he's adequate offensively, however, defense and speed will get Hechavarria to the big leagues. He has a live body with quick actions and a plus arm. He's also a plus runner and should be a basestealing threat if he refines his technique. Hechavarria will return to Triple-A to open 2012, but because of his contract he'll probably get a look from the Blue Jays at some point during the season. He eventually could push Yunel Escobar to second base.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #13 prospect in 2011
  Hechavarria defected from Cuba in July 2009 and finalized a $10 million major league contract with the Blue Jays nine months later, getting a franchise-record $4 million bonus. He couldn't reach the Mendoza Line after Toronto sent him to high Class A, but he performed significantly better after a promotion to Double-A at the end of June. The Blue Jays credit the in-season improvement to Hechavarria adapting to culture in the United States and taking well to instruction from Fisher Cats manager Luis Rivera. Hechavarria is a live-bodied player with quick-twitch athleticism. He stands out more now as a defender, though he also has potential at the plate. His best tool is his strong, accurate arm, and he also has good actions and soft hands at shortstop. Hechavarria has bat speed and makes consistent contact but lacks upper-body strength and doesn't do much damage. He can get stronger but won't have much more than gap power. His primary concern is to get on base, and he walked just 17 times in 440 plate appearances during his pro debut. He's an above-average runner who can use his speed to beat out hits and steal a few bases. Toronto is pleased at how well he adjusted to professional baseball and a new culture. Hechavarria may need some more time in Double-A but also could see his first big league action in 2011.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #14 prospect in 2012
  Hechavarria has shown little prowess with the bat except during his 127 games with the 51s the last two seasons, during which he hit .312/.363/.424. Those numbers may be the result of the offensive environment in Las Vegas and the PCL as the whole rather than his offensive potential, but his plus defense and speed should be enough to keep his bat in the lineup. "He's not a burner but he has good instincts," Brown said. "His range is very good. It feels like he's moving before the ball is hit." Hechavarria has quality range and arm strength, though he tends to flip his throws to first base. He offers some bat speed and employs an all-fields approach, giving him the chance to hit for average if he develops some more discipline. He doesn't offer much power and more likely will fit at the bottom of a big league batting order than at the top.
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  Ranked Eastern League #19 prospect in 2011
  The league was short on middle-infield prospects, with Hechavarria and Binghamton's Jordanny Valdespin standing out the most. Hechavarria was ineffective at the plate in 2010 with New Hampshire and less productive this year, but he's an above-average runner, defender and thrower. Hechavarria's glove earns comparisons to defense-first shortstops from Rey Ordonez to Cesar Izturis. His bat did wake up a bit once he was promoted to Triple-A and he shouldn't be an offensive zero, especially if he can develop some more discipline and hit some more balls on the ground to utilize his speed. "He has a good swing path," the NL scout said. "I saw better at-bats when he faced guys on big league rehab. He looked more focused. He looked a little bored in Double-A."
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  Ranked Florida State League #11 prospect in 2010
  After signing a $10 million major league contract, Hechavarria broke into pro ball by hitting .193/.217/.292 at Dunedin, But his defensive tools impressed everyone, and he didn't look nearly as overmatched at the plate as his ugly averages may suggest. Hechavarria has the fluidity, quick first step and soft hands that scouts look for in a shortstop. His arm is his best asset, as he can fire off accurate throws with plenty of velocity from almost any arm angle. At the plate, Hechevarria chases too many pitches out of the zone. If he improves his discipline, he has the hand-eye coordination to hit for average and the strength in his wrists to have gap power. His batting average should be helped by his above-average speed, which can turn groundballs into infield hits.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Hechavarria defected from the Cuban junior national team in July 2009. After signing nine months later for a $10 million big league contract that included a Blue Jays-record $4 million bonus, he didn't produce much at the plate until reaching hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas at the end of his second pro season. He continued to hit there in 2012, earning a big league callup in August. Three months later, he became a Marlin after the Jose Reyes/Mark Buehrle deal. Scouting Report: Hechavarria has all the tools to contend for Gold Gloves at shortstop. He has plus range, hands and arm strength, though he's prone to throwing errors because he tends to flip the ball to first base. He's also an above-average runner though not a prolific basestealer. Scouts still aren't sold on Hechavarria's offensive ability, however. He has a simple swing and some bat speed but is still learning how to put together professional at-bats. While he's strong and has some gap power, he doesn't project as a home run threat. His command of the strike zone regressed in his first taste of the majors. The Future: His defense alone will allow Hechavarria to carve out a big league career. If his offense is simply adequate, he'll secure an everyday job. He'll enter 2013 as the favorite to replace Reyes as Miami's shortstop.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Hechavarria defected from the Cuban junior national team in July 2009. After signing nine months later for a $10 million big league contract that included a Blue Jays-record $4 million bonus, he didn't produce much at the plate until reaching hitter-friendly Las Vegas at the end of his second pro season. He continued to hit there in 2013, earning his big league callup when Brett Lawrie went on the disabled list in August. Scouting Report: Hechavarria handled himself fine filling in for Lawrie at third base, but he's a shortstop all the way. He has plus range, hands and arm strength, though he's prone to throwing errors because he tends to flip the ball to first base. He's also an above-average runner though not a prolific basestealer. Scouts still aren't sold on his offensive ability, however. He has a simple swing and some bat speed but is still learning how to put together professional at-bats. While he's strong and has some gap power, he doesn't project as a home run threat. The Future: His defense alone will allow Hechavarria to carve out a big league career. If his offense is simply adequate, he'll secure an everyday job. With Yunel Escobar wearing out his welcome in Toronto, Hechevarria could open 2013 as the Blue Jays' starting shortstop.