Bienvenido Encarnacion

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #9 prospect in 1999
  Background: Encarnacion spent three seasons in Rookie leagues--two in the Dominican, one in the Pioneer--before maturing into a prospect. His style is similar to shortstop Nelson Castro, who dropped out of the Angels Top 10 this year. Strengths: Encarnacion is a slasher at the plate who can make hard contact to all fields. His growing physical maturity led to increased power--he had one professional homer entering the year. Encarnacion has above-average defensive tools, especially his hands, and has a flair for the position. He has above-average speed on the bases. Weaknesses: Like many young shortstops, Encarnacion can make the great play in the hole and mishandle the three-hopper right at him. His swooping style still leaves him between hops frequently. The Future: His predecessor, Castro, was overmatched with the bat in his first full-season experience; Encarnacion will have the same challenge. Defensively he has all the tools to become a major league shortstop with experience.

• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Encarnacion spent three seasons in Rookie leagues--two in the Dominican, one in the Pioneer--before maturing into a prospect. His style is similar to shortstop Nelson Castro, who dropped out of the Angels Top 10 this year. Strengths: Encarnacion is a slasher at the plate who can make hard contact to all fields. His growing physical maturity led to increased power--he had one professional homer entering the year. Encarnacion has above-average defensive tools, especially his hands, and has a flair for the position. He has above-average speed on the bases. Weaknesses: Like many young shortstops, Encarnacion can make the great play in the hole and mishandle the three-hopper right at him. His swooping style still leaves him between hops frequently. The Future: His predecessor, Castro, was overmatched with the bat in his first full-season experience; Encarnacion will have the same challenge. Defensively he has all the tools to become a major league shortstop with experience.