Moises Sierra

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #15 prospect in 2012
  Sierra had a breakout season in 2009, when Toronto challenged him with an assignment to high Class A even though he had enjoyed little success in the lower minors. His encore was ruined by injuries, however, as a stress fracture in his leg, a strained oblique and a wrist ailment limited him to 20 games. He got back on track in 2011 with a solid year in Double-A. Sierra has plus raw power and at least plus-plus arm strength, giving him a good profile for right field. He has an uppercut to his swing and tends to open early on his front side, so he probably won't ever hit much more than .270. His lack of patience holds down his batting average too, though he doesn't strike out excessively. Though Sierra is an aggressive player and runs well for his size, he won't be a threat to steal. He tried to make things happen on the bases last season, but that's not likely to continue after he was caught 14 times in 30 steal attempts. He's an average defender in right field. Sierra will head to Las Vegas to open 2012, where the offensive environment will give him a great platform to showcase his power. He could make his major league debut later in the season.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #23 prospect in 2011
  In his first three pro seasons, Sierra hit just .241/.304/.366, but he responded well to a challenging assignment to Dunedin in 2009 and had a breakout year. He finished the season in New Hampshire and figured to return there in 2010, but he never made it. He came down with a stress fracture in his leg during spring training, which combined with a strained oblique and a hand injury limited him to just 20 games, none above high Class A. When he's on the field, Sierra shows solid all-fields power that's still developing. He makes consistent contact but doesn't draw many walks. Sierra runs well for his size but won't be a basestealing threat. He has average range in right field and a powerful arm that rates as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. After playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic to recoup some of his lost at-bats and being added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, he'll finally make it back to Double-A in 2011.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #11 prospect in 2010
  Sierra's breakout 2009 season was a bright spot on a rather uninspiring Dunedin team. The Blue Jays threw him into the fire in high Class A at age 20, and he responded well after hitting .241/.304/.366 in his first three pro seasons. He has a strong, sturdy frame, prompting one Blue Jays official to note that he would have been a linebacker had he been born in the United States. Sierra's best asset is his arm, which rates as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He has solid-average power, which is still developing, and his swing stays on a good path through the ball. He doesn't show a lot of patience a the plate, but he doesn't strike out excessively either. Sierra is a solid-average runner and can take an extra base, though he figures to slow down a little as he fills out. His overall package fits the right-field profile, provided he realizes his power potential. He'll probably spend 2010 in Double-A, where he hit .353 in eight games at the end of last season.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #30 prospect in 2008
  Sierra and Venezuelan outfielder Yohermyn Chavez both received six-figure bonuses from the Jays during the 2005 international signing period. While Chavez made his U.S. debut in 2006, Sierra remained in the Dominican, waiting until 2007 to come over. He didn't do much to distinguish himself and he was overshadowed in instructional league by the Blue Jays' best position-player prospects. But Sierra has two above-average tools that could garner him attention in coming years: a right fielder's arm and raw power. "Raw" might be the best way to describe Sierra's game. He struggles to command the strike zone and comes out of his swing easily, but he has as much upside as any of Toronto's international prospects. Sierra's speed and defensive range are no more than average, but his arm definitely puts him in right field. He'll likely get another go at the Gulf Coast League in 2008.