Oscar Tejeda Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3493
AVG	.261
OBP	.307
SLG	.373
HR	57

Full name Moises Oscar Tejeda
Born 12/26/1989 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Tejeda followed a breakthough year in 2010 with the worst full-season performance of his career in 2011. He was the fifth-youngest regular in the Eastern League at age 21, so there's reasonable hope for improvement, though scouts were troubled that he often failed to expend much effort. When he signed for $525,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2006, one rival international scouting director compared him to Alfonso Soriano. Tejeda has a very quick bat and more power than most middle infielders, but his aggressive approach holds him back at the plate. He might be a .260 hitter with 15-20 homers per year, which would be enough to profile as a regular at second base but tougher if he has to move to an outfield corner. That's a possibility because Tejeda has below-average speed and fringy range at second, and he also could outgrow the position. His hands and arm work in the middle infield, but he doesn't show the instincts to make more than the routine plays. He led EL second basemen with 24 errors last season after topping Carolina League second sackers with the same number in 2010. He'll return to Double-A this season and needs to mature in all areas of the game.
Tejeda struggled through two years as a teenager in low Class A, hitting .259/.306/.340 as he battled physical problems (including a recurring staph infection in his forearm), more experienced pitchers and defensive difficulties at shortstop. Healthier, stronger and more relaxed after a move to second base last season, he showed the talent that led an exuberant rival international scouting director to compare him to Alfonso Soriano when the Red Sox signed Tejeda for $525,000 in 2006. He set career highs across the board and earned all-star recognition in the Carolina League. Tejeda has well-above-average bat speed and more raw power than most middle infielders, projecting as a possible 15-20 home run threat. He has little trouble making sweet-spot contact and doesn't chase pitches off the plate, but he's an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count and doesn't draw many walks. If he doesn't refine his approach, upper-level pitchers will let him get himself out. Tejeda has only fringe-average speed, which gave him less-than-ideal range at shortstop. He covers enough ground at second base, where his quick hands and strong arm are assets. He's still learning his new position and led CL second basemen with 24 errors in 2010, and third base or right field could be his ultimate destination. Tejeda will be just 21 when he advances to Double-A this season. If he can duplicate the progress he made last year, a big league callup will be on the horizon.
The Red Sox have pushed Tejeda aggressively since signing him for $525,000 in 2006. He made a strong U.S. debut as a 17-year-old in 2007, and while his numbers weren't as impressive last year, there were mitigating circumstances. Tejeda had surgery to repair a tiny hole in his heart during the offseason, and also came down with a staph infection in his forearm. The infection relegated him to extended spring training at the start of 2008, and recurred after he reported to Greenville. Tejeda hit just .231 with three extra-base hits and two walks in the first two months before finding his stride as one of the youngest regulars in low Class A. A rival international scouting director compared him to Alfonso Soriano when Boston signed him, and Tejeda could have interesting power once he strengthens his wiry frame and plate discipline. His hands generate plenty of bat speed and he has a fluid swing, so he should hit for average as well. A slightly below-average runner with good instincts on the bases, Tejeda could move to third base once he fills out. For now, he's a legitimate shortstop with solid range, reliable hands and a plus-plus arm that first attracted scouts when he was 14. Like most young infielders, he's still inconsistent defensively, having committed 44 errors in 139 pro games at shortstop. The Red Sox may send him back to low Class A to build his confidence at the start of 2009, but he should reach their new high Class A Salem affiliate by the end of the season.
When Tejeda signed for $525,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2006, a rival international scouting director described him as Alfonso Soriano with better hands. That hyperbole elicited chuckles from the Red Sox, but they didn't hesitate to challenge him as a 17-year-old last season. He ranked among the Top 10 Prospects in both the Rookie-level Gulf Coast and the short-season New York-Penn leagues, and he was the latter circuit's youngest player. With a projectable frame and a fluid swing that imparts backspin, Tejeda could develop considerable power once he matures physically and as a hitter. He has quick hands and plenty of bat speed. His arm strength attracted scouts when he was 14, and he makes accurate throws as well. His speed and range are solid. A leader on the field, he made tremendous strides learning English in 2007. Tejeda is aggressive at the plate, and while he makes enough contact now, it's going to take him a while to incorporate Boston's emphasis on plate discipline. He's thin and needs to get stronger, and it's possible he'll outgrow shortstop. Like many young shortstops, Tejeda will have to become more reliable with his glove. He made 22 errors in 63 games at short last year. The Red Sox have an abundance of gifted middle infielders at the lower levels of their system. They're trying to figure out where everyone will play in 2008, but the one sure thing is that Tejeda will be the regular shortstop in low Class A.
Tejada, who signed for $525,000, also drew praise from the same scouting director who compared Engel Beltre to Barry Bonds: "Tejada is Alfonso Soriano with better hands. And he just rakes." Tejada is similar to Soriano in that he has a wiry build and loads of righthanded power potential--though he's also years from realizing it. Tejada runs well, albeit not as well as Soriano, but he's a better defender. He has strong hands and his bat flies through the hitting zone. He also has an aptitude for contact, so he may produce for both power and average. Tejada's arm rated as big league average when he was 14, and it already ranks as the strongest in the Red Sox system. He also has good range and reliable hands. He's not as polished and doesn't speak English as well as Beltre, but Tejada does have some aptitude for the language. He'll get a chance to make the Gulf Coast League roster in 2007.

Minor League Top Prospects

A rival international scouting director compared Tejeda to Alfonso Soriano when the Red Sox signed him for $525,000 in 2006. Youth and health issues kept his numbers down until this year when Tejeda began to show that kind of promise. In his first year as a second baseman, he acquitted himself well defensively while ranking fourth in the league in hitting (.307) and sixth in doubles (32). Tejeda sticks out most with his bat speed and emerging power. The ball jumps off his bat, giving him a chance to be a rare middle infielder with 15-20 homer potential once he tightens his strike zone. He's an average runner with good instincts on the bases. At second base, he shows solid range, quick hands and a plus arm. At worst, he could be an offensive-minded utilityman. He previously played shortstop and third base, and there's no reason he couldn't fill in on the outfield corners.
The Red Sox signed Tejeda for $525,000 as a 16-year-old in 2006, and he more than held his own at age 17 in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and against much older competition in the NY-P this summer. He drew raves for his all-around game. Tejeda has a smooth, fluid and controlled swing. He creates a lot of backspin and does a good job staying through the ball. He's an excellent fastball hitter but is vulnerable against breaking balls, not surprising given his age. His frame has plenty of projection, and he could hit for some power as he fills out. Defensively, Tejeda has quick, sure hands and a strong, accurate arm with a free, easy throwing motion from over the top. He still needs to improve his range, both to the hole and coming in on slow rollers and high choppers. He's an average to slightly above-average runner, and he plays with enthusiasm and energy.
Tejeda first surfaced on the radar of several clubs at age 14, when he already was displaying a big league arm and exceptionally soft hands. Signed by Boston for $525,000 in July 2006, Tejeda wasn't nearly as raw at the plate as advertised and he finished the season by hitting .298 in the short-season New-York Penn League. Tejeda's tools give him a chance to be a star, beginning with his fluid, controlled swing that produces gap power. He profiles as a top-of-the-order catalyst. As his power emerges, he could be a major run producer in the middle of the diamond. Tejeda has soft hands, good quickness and better range to his left than in the hole. He has trouble settling his body after making backhand plays in order to show off his arm strength.