Jomar Reyes

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2018
  A hulking third baseman who represents a rare international expenditure for the Orioles--his $350,000 signing bonus in 2014 was the most the club has ever given to an amateur from the Dominican Republic--Reyes broke a finger on his right hand in April 2017 by punching a dugout wall at high Class A Frederick. He missed three months and ended up hitting .302/.333/.434 in 50 games, but missed a big opportunity to show that he had moved on from a disappointing 2016. However, the club saw a mature player during instructional league, and believe that changes to Reyes' swing that get his bat into the zone earlier eliminate his severe timing issues and balance out his swing. That could help him tap into his well-above-average raw power, which sporadically shows in games. Reyes has plenty of arm for third base, and while he has improved defensively, his size and footwork could push him to first. That adds pressure on Reyes to put it together offensively, as his bat is his carrying tool going forward. An overall consistent approach could elevate Reyes' tools to that of a solid-average regular. He'll head to Double-A Bowie in 2018.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #8 prospect in 2017
  In January 2014, the Orioles signed the then-16-year-old Reyes for $350,000, the club's largest bonus ever for a Dominican amateur. After a strong full-season debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2015, Reyes looked overmatched at high Class A Frederick in 2016, hitting just .228. Reyes struggled as the youngest player in the Carolina League. His batting mechanics got out of synch and it looked like he hit without a plan at times. During some stretches, his swing looked different every night. Recognizing breaking balls was the key to his struggles with righthanders (.213/.264/.293 against them), but during instructional league, a more focused Reyes made gains with his swing mechanics and began to use his hands better. He continues to show raw power to all fields that should eventually be plus power in games. Reyes' defense at third base was also a struggle at times, and one scout felt he took his offensive woes into the field. Reyes has a plus-plus arm, but his footwork needs improvement. He's a below-average runner. Reyes will stay at third base for now but could wind up at first base or an outfield corner. He likely will head back to Frederick to start 2017. He must show the focus, intensity and toughness to bounce back from a poor season.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2016
  The Orioles signed the 16-year-old Reyes in January 2014 for $350,000, the largest bonus in franchise history for a Dominican amateur. The starting third baseman at low Class A Delmarva in 2015, Reyes was limited to 89 games by injuries. He had surgery in mid-October to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand that he hurt during instructional league. During the season, he missed six weeks with a sprained right thumb and ended the campaign with a concussion. One scout said Reyes' build reminded him of Miguel Sano and his batting approach of Jonathan Schoop. He has raw power to all fields and a chance to produce plus power as his doubles begin turning into homers. Reyes' hit tool lags behind his power right now, but his strike-zone discipline made strides in 2015, though it still has a long way to go. He is a below-average runner. On defense, Reyes showed decent hands, but his footwork could improve at third base. Some expect that he will eventually outgrow the position and move to first base. Reyes should once again be among the youngest players in his league in 2016 when he advances to high Class A Frederick.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2015
  The Orioles signed the then 16-year-old Reyes out of the Dominican Republic in January 2014 to a $350,000 bonus, the largest in franchise history for a Dominican amateur. Reyes ranked as the No. 18 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his debut. Reyes skipped the Dominican Summer League and went straight to the U.S. for his pro debut because he was clearly ready physically. One scout said he got pitched to like Hank Aaron late in the summer and he led the GCL in intentional walks. Reyes has two plus tools: his arm and his power. Imposing physically, Reyes looks even bigger and taller than his listed 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He has plenty of strength and plus power to his pull side and to the middle of the field and good bat speed. Reyes' power potential excited Orioles brass. His ability to drive the ball fits with his corner infield defensive profile. He has below-average speed but plenty of arm strength for third base and he made progress during the season. His hands are decent, but he needs to improve his footwork and could wind up at first base. The Orioles were delighted with Reyes' pro debut in the GCL. They thought he could handle that league at 17 and he did. Reyes has a chance to break camp in 2015 as the starting third baseman at low Class A Delmarva.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #13 prospect in 2015
  For a hitter who hit just five home runs all year, Reyes impressed a lot of SAL observers with his power. Still just 18 years old, he hit 27 doubles in 84 games and will likely turn many of those into home runs once he matures and starts pulling the inside pitch more often. He has plus raw power that should turn into above-average in-game power. Many big power hitters like Reyes are too pull-happy early in their career. Reyes is the opposite. He's comfortable serving the outside pitch to right field, and he struggled more against pitchers who could bust him inside. He also showed an advanced ability to connect with offspeed offerings. Defensively, Reyes is limited in range by his size and lack of foot speed (he's a well-below-average runner), but he's relatively sure-handed and has an above-average arm. His .948 fielding percentage would have easily led SAL third baseman if a thumb injury had not cost him enough games to keep him from qualifying.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #18 prospect in 2014
  Reyes became eligible to sign on July 2 last year, and while his deal with the Orioles took time to officially be put to paper, he finally signed for $350,000 in January. Baltimore admires his raw power and ability to hit in games, which is why they pushed him to the GCL as a 17-year-old, and he didn't disappoint. Reyes looks bigger and taller than his listed 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, with plenty of strength and plus power to his pull side and to the middle of the field. He doesn't have the loosest swing, but he makes consistent contact and his power plays in games. Even when caught out front on an offspeed pitch, he still has the strength to be able to drive the ball with authority. Three of his four home runs came off Red Sox lefthander Dedgar Jimenez. The slow-footed Reyes needs to get a lot better defensively to stay at third base. At his size, first base or the corner outfield are his most likely landing spots.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: In January 2014, the Orioles signed the then-16-year-old Reyes for $350,000, the club's largest bonus ever for a Dominican amateur. After a strong full-season debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2015, Reyes looked overmatched at high Class A Frederick in 2016, hitting just .228 overall and .213/.264/.293 against righthanders. Scouting Report: Reyes struggled as the youngest player in the Carolina League. His batting mechanics got out of synch and it looked like he hit without a plan at times. During some stretches, his swing looked different every night. Recognizing breaking balls was the key to his struggles with righthanders, but during instructional league, a more focused Reyes made gains with his swing mechanics with hitting coordinator Jeff Manto, and he began to use his hands better. He continues to show raw power to all fields that should eventually be plus power in games. Reyes' defense at third base was also a struggle at times, and one scout felt he took his offensive woes into the field. A big man, Reyes has a plus-plus arm, but his footwork needs improvement. For now the Orioles will keep him at third base, but his future could be at first base or in right field, though he's a below-average runner. The Future: Reyes will likely head back to Frederick to start 2017. He has bigger tools than most Orioles farmhands, but now he must show the focus, intensity and toughness to bounce back from a poor season.
• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  The Orioles signed the then 16-year-old Reyes out of the Dominican Republic in January 2014 to a $350,000 bonus, the largest in franchise history for a Dominican amateur. Reyes ranked as the No. 18 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his debut. Reyes skipped the Dominican Summer League and went straight to the U.S. for his pro debut because he was clearly ready physically. One scout said he got pitched to like Hank Aaron late in the summer and he led the GCL in intentional walks. Reyes has two plus tools: his arm and his power. Imposing physically, Reyes looks even bigger and taller than his listed 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He has plenty of strength and plus power to his pull side and to the middle of the field and good bat speed. Reyes' power potential excited Orioles brass. His ability to drive the ball fits with his corner infield defensive profile. He has below-average speed but plenty of arm strength for third base and he made progress during the season. His hands are decent, but he needs to improve his footwork and could wind up at first base. The Orioles were delighted with Reyes' pro debut in the GCL. They thought he could handle that league at 17 and he did. Reyes has a chance to break camp in 2015 as the starting third baseman at low Class A Delmarva.