Juan Tejeda

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #15 prospect in 2005
  Tejeda always had hit for average and produced runs, but last season was the first time in his career that he showed home run power. Whether or not that was just a mirage caused by a favorable hitter's park at Erie (15 of his 23 longballs came at home) remains to be seen, however. Questions still abound as to how good a prospect Tejeda is because he's not athletic and doesn't have a particularly quick bat. Despite his success, scouts question whether he'll continue to rake at the upper levels against better pitching. Tejeda is a smart hitter with good knowledge of the strike zone, though his strikeout totals rose last season. He has poor speed and is limited defensively to playing first base, where he's adequate at best. If it turns out that he doesn't have more than gap power, he won't be a big league regular. Tejeda will begin 2005 in Triple-A as he tries to keep hitting his way into a big league role.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #29 prospect in 2004
  Tejeda has hit for average and produced runs since arriving in the United States in 2001, leading the Midwest League with 106 RBIs in 2002. He has good knowledge of the strike zone and puts the ball in play consistently. Yet most scouts say Tejeda lacks the pop to be an impact player in the majors and may not reach that level. He has a long, slow stroke and has yet to show any pull power. He also lacks speed and is a liability on defense, especially with his poor footwork and range. Unless he starts yanking pitches out of the park, Tejeda will have to hit for an even higher average and produce even more runs to make it to Comerica Park. He'll start 2004 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2003
  In his first exposure to full-season ball, Tejeda led the Midwest League with 106 RBIs last season. He has produced throughout his four years in the organization and is advanced for a young hitter. He understands the strike zone, makes consistent contact and uses all fields. Tejeda's 11 homers last year aren't indicative of his power. West Michigan's Fifth Third Ballpark is a hitter's nightmare, and he hit .256-3-43 there compared to .342-8-63 on the road. Tejeda is a purely offensive player. He's not athletic and has poor footwork at first base. His bat will have to carry him as he continues his progression through the minors, which will take him to high Class A this year.