Juan Abreu

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #19 prospect in 2012
  The Royals originally signed Abreu and watched him develop one of the best fastballs in their system before a contract snafu let him hit the open market in 2009. The Braves turned him from a minor league free agent find into part of the four-player package they sent to the Astros for Michael Bourn last July. Abreu didn't spend much time in the minors with Houston before making his major league debut, and he got 12 of his 20 big league outs via strikeouts. His violent delivery never will be used in instructional videos, as he has a significant head whack. His arm is quick enough to catch up to the rest of his body, though, and he pumps 93-98 mph fastballs close enough to the strike zone. He also throws a slurvy breaking ball at 78-81 mph. He doesn't have much control, however, and he averaged 5.4 walks per nine innings in the minors. He's hard to hit, so he doesn't always pay for those free passes. The more strikes Abreu throws, the more high-leverage innings he'll earn in Houston. He has a good shot at earning a spot in the big league bullpen in 2012.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #27 prospect in 2011
  Abreu had one of the best fastballs in the Royals system, which prompted Kansas City to agree to a deal to re-sign him as a minor league free agent after he reached Double-A in 2009. A contract snafu allowed him to hit the open market, however, and the Braves landed him by giving him a big league contract. Atlanta removed him from the 40-man roster at the end of last March, but added him again in November. He got knocked around in high Class A to start last season, but pitched much better after a May promotion and became Mississippi's closer during the second half. Employing a whip-like arm action, Abreu sits at 95-96 mph with his sinking fastball and was clocked as high as 99 mph last summer. He also has a 78-80 mph curveball that could be a plus pitch. He lacks feel for his changeup and abandoned the pitch at times last season. Abreu gets into trouble when he overthrows, causing him to leave his pitches up in the strike zone and making him susceptible to the longball. He needs to throw more strikes after averaging 4.5 walks per nine innings in 2010, and he also must do a better job of commanding his pitches in the strike zone. When he hits 96 mph on the inner half of the plate, few hitters can do much against him. A potential set-up man and a spot closer if it all comes together, Abreu should move up to Triple-A in 2011.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #20 prospect in 2010
  Abreu has shown an intriguing arm since signing with the Royals out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, but a variety of hurdles, including an elbow injury that cost him all of the 2007 season, has prevented him from reaching his potential. He had the best stretch of his career at high Class A Wilmington in the first half of 2009, going 12-for-12 in save opportunities, but struggled in Double-A during the second half. Kansas City reached a deal to re-sign him as a minor league free agent after the season, but a contract snafu allowed him to hit the open market, and the Braves landed him by offering him a major league contract. Small and wiry, Abreu has a whippy arm action that produced a hard sinker that sits at 94-95 mph. Some teams have clocked his fastball as hard as 100 mph. His 78-80 mph curveball has an early break, shows good rotation and could develop into a plus pitch. He also has some feel for a changeup, but it's not as effective as his other two pitches. In addition to injuries, Abreu has battled a lack of command. If he can harness his live arm, he has a chance to be a solid setup man in the major leagues. After a stop in big league camp, he figures to open 2010 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #25 prospect in 2009
  Abreu has shown a great arm, iffy command and rotten luck during his time with the Royals. He missed 2007 with an elbow injury, but bounced back with a strong season in low Class A. After combining with Danny Duffy on a no-hitter on Aug. 7, however, Abreu stepped on a baseball during a conditioning drill, twisted his ankle and missed the rest of the year. He has one of the best arms in the system with a 93-94 mph fastball that touches 97, and his 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings last year was the highest average among full-season Royals pitchers. On the downside, he always has struggled with his control and his health. His delivery has a little funkiness to it that makes it hard to pick up the ball but also makes it hard for him to find the strike zone. Abreu sets up on the far right side of the rubber and throws from a three-quarters arm slot that makes him especially tough on righthanders, who hit .209/.315/.314 against him last season. He also throws an 11-to-5 curveball that has depth. As a 24-year-old, Abreu will be old for high Class A in 2009, but if he can continue to improve his control he could be a useful power arm out of the bullpen.