Henry Mateo Stats & Scouting Report

AB	257
AVG	.233
OBP	.289
SLG	.292
HR	1

Full name Henry Antonio Mateo
Born 10/14/1976 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Centro Estudios Libres
Debut 07/28/2001
Drafted in the 2nd round (58th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 1995.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After leading the Eastern League with 48 stolen bases in 2000, Mateo led the International League with 47 thefts last season. The sparkplug also used his above-average speed to accumulate 12 triples, also tops in the league. Mateo is an athletic middle infielder with solid tools across the board. He has a line-drive stroke but needs to temper his aggressive nature and improve his strike-zone judgment. Defensively he has smooth actions, plus range and plenty of arm strength. Mateo, who made his major league debut last July and went 3-for- 9, will return for a second stint at Triple-A in 2002. Unfortunately for him, the Expos are awash in top-notch middle infielders with Orlando Cabrera, Jose Vidro and No. 1 prospect Brandon Phillips.
It has been a slow, steady climb up the ladder for Mateo. Drafted as shortstop in 1995, he immediately switched to second base to accommodate first-rounder Michael Barrett. Barrett since has become a catcher/third baseman, while Mateo has remained at second. He's a switch-hitting, athletic middle infielder with solid tools across the board. His speed registers a 65 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, and he enhances it with good first-step quickness on the basepaths. He swings the bat well from both sides of the plate with gap power. Defensively he has smooth actions, plus range and plenty of arm strength. Mateo projects as a No. 2 hitter, but still needs to improve his ability to make contact and draw walks. He made strides in doing so last season. Mateo is ready for Triple-A, though his future is clouded by the emergence of Jose Vidro as a star in Montreal.