Yefri Carvajal Stats & Scouting Report

IP	121
ERA	5.876
WHIP	1.479
BB/9	3.942
SO/9	5.281

Full name Yefri Carvajal
Born 01/22/1989 in El Seibo, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The vanguard of the organization's renewed international movement, Carvajal signed for $350,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2005 and debuted Stateside the next season. He missed time with shin splints and a hamate bone injury in 2006, and his hitting seemed to suffer. With bat speed that can't be taught, Carvajal makes consistent, loud contact while being aggressive at the plate. His swing can get long, but when he connects he has as much power as anybody in the system. He shows extra load in his swing now, which leads to wrapping the bat and pulling his head off the ball. Carvajal saw time in center field in 2007, but because he's already physically mature and projects as a below-average runner he'll likely move to right field because he has solid-average arm strength. The Padres remain excited by Carvajal's potential because he loves to play and takes instruction well, and he could earn an assignment to low Class A with a strong showing in spring training. He'll be just 19 all season, however, so a return to short-season Eugene is a distinct possibility.
Signed for $350,000 in 2005 when the club lost out on Dominican outfield prospect Fernando Martinez to the Mets, Carvajal debuted in the Arizona League last season but missed time with shin splints and a hamate bone injury. His hitting seemed to suffer as a result, because his hitting and power tools are among the best in the system, thanks to the type of bat speed that can't be taught. He makes consistent, loud contact while being very aggressive at the plate. Thus the Padres stressed pitch recognition in instructional league and worked to close his stance for better balance. While he's extremely raw, the Padres are excited by Carvajal's potential because they believe his bat is special, but also because he loves to play and takes instruction well. He draws comparisons with Kirby Puckett and Gary Matthews Sr. from Padres officials for his bat and body type, which is strong and stocky. Even at age 17, Carvajal is mature physically and will always have to make conditioning a priority. His other tools are average and he's rapidly improving in the outfield, to the point where his range and solid-average arm might eventually play in right field. He would have to have a great spring to make a full-season team in 2007, but could see short-season Eugene by season's end.
The Padres haven't fared well with their Dominican Republic operations. They have yet to develop an everyday player from the Dominican, and owner John Moores was underwhelmed by the club's academy there when he toured it last spring. San Diego tried to take a more aggressive approach in 2005, offering $1 million to outfielder Fernando Martinez, only to lose him to the Mets for $1.4 million. The Padres did land Carvajal for $350,000 in July. His short, stocky frame and lightning-quick bat elicit comparisons to Bill Madlock, Kevin Mitchell and Kirby Puckett. Carvajal has excellent hitting instincts, plus power to all fields and an aggressive approach. While his bat offers plenty of reason for excitement, his other tools are ordinary. He's an average runner with a decent arm, so he projects as a corner outfielder whose bat will have to carry him to the big leagues. Carvajal is currently a little too spread out at the plate, and San Diego is trying to straighten his stance and incorporate his lower half more into his swing. He should make his pro debut in the Arizona League this summer.

Minor League Top Prospects

Carvajal had to repeat the league after a hand injury curtailed his season last year. He needed the experience because he had gotten just 75 at-bats since signing for $350,000 in late 2005 out of the Dominican Republic. He's still raw, particularly in terms of pitch recognition and plate discipline, but he also has some of the best bat speed in the Padres system and enough athletic ability to play well in a short trial in center field. According to AZL Padres manager Tony Muser, the former Royals skipper, Carvajal profiles best as a left fielder with good defense and enough power for the position. "He has a lot of upside because he can do a lot of things," Muser said. "He can run, he's got a plus arm, he's got raw power. A lot of times with young players like him, it can take longer getting on their feet, and he lost time, but now he's making progress."