Marcos Vechionacci

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #11 prospect in 2007
  Vechionacci has a higher ceiling than almost any hitter in the system, and he's also a potentially premier defender on the left side of the infield. He has above-average raw power and a knack for centering the ball on the fat part of the bat. He's starting to use his pitch-recognition skills to select balls he can drive out of the park, and he could become a .279- .290 hitter with 30-homer power. A switch-hitter, he's slightly better from the left side but is sound from the right. While he probably could handle shortstop, Vechionacci has Gold Glove ability at third base, where his accurate, plus arm and soft hands suit him well. He's a solid-average runner. Vechionacci's emotional maturity, in terms of focus on a play-to-play and game-to-game basis, is beginning to catch up to his physical maturity. He still has some growing to do on both counts, though. He has been pushed, and his game collapsed when he opened 2006 in high Class A. He struggled offensively (specifically with pitch recognition) and defensively, and he lost confidence. One scout who saw Charleston still liked him better than Jose Tabata because of his body and future power potential. The Yankees hope this is Vechionacci's true breakout season, and if it is, he could finish it in Double-A.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #7 prospect in 2006
  Vechionacci was one of the youngest players in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2005 and batted third most of the season. He switched from shortstop to third base in June in an attempt to take some of the pressure off him, and he responded with a better second half. Vechionacci has a smooth swing and solid approach at the plate. While he was a solid defender at short, he's a potential Gold Glove winner at third base with good range, soft hands and a well above-average arm. The Yankees believe in profiles, and third base is a power position, but expecting Vechionacci to hit for power in the majors involves a lot of projection. He must get stronger and improve both his pitch recognition and his plate discipline, learning what pitches to lay off, which to drive to the gaps and which to pull for power. Now that he's at third base, he'll hop off the fast track because Alex Rodriguez is in New York. Vechionacci's confidence faltered in Charleston last season, and a successful return there would put a him back on the right track.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #6 prospect in 2005
  Vechionacci has grown four inches since signing out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old. He's so mature at the plate that the Yankees promoted him from extended spring camp to Tampa as an emergency fill-in in May. Later, he starred in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Vechionacci can hit. His advanced approach includes plate discipline, smooth swing mechanics and the ability to use the whole field. He shows developing power as well. His greatest improvement in 2004 was his willingness to stay back on breaking balls. Defensively, he has excellent tools with a plus arm, body control and natural infield actions. The Yankees need to determine Vechionacci's best position. He has played more at third base while also seeing time at shortstop and second base. How he fills out and whether he can maintain his average speed will determine if he can play at short. Vechionacci seems primed to move quickly through the system. He's likely to start 2005 in low Class A as a shortstop.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #7 prospect in 2004
  Though Vechionacci didn't turn 18 until August, he already has an advanced approach at the plate. He hit .300-2-30 in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League last year and followed up this year by earning promotions to the short-season New York-Penn and high Class A Florida State leagues. "He made a lot of improvement from 2003," said Yankees hitting coach Torre Tyson, who has tutored Vechionacci the last two years. "He was more of a free swinger with no balance last year, but was more selective and stayed back better on breaking balls this year. He's got a very mature swing and should have decent power as he fills out his wiry frame." Vechionacci is also a solid defender with a plus arm. He has good body control and range in both directions at third base, and he comes in well on balls. Scouts say he's an adept enough infielder that he could play shortstop if his 6-foot-2 frame doesn't fill out too much. He has average speed.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Vechionacci has a higher ceiling than almost any hitter in the system, and he's also a potentially premier defender on the left side of the infield. He has above-average raw power and a knack for centering the ball on the fat part of the bat. He's starting to use his pitch-recognition skills to select balls he can drive out of the park, and he could become a .279- .290 hitter with 30-homer power. A switch-hitter, he's slightly better from the left side but is sound from the right. While he probably could handle shortstop, Vechionacci has Gold Glove ability at third base, where his accurate, plus arm and soft hands suit him well. He's a solid-average runner. Vechionacci's emotional maturity, in terms of focus on a play-to-play and game-to-game basis, is beginning to catch up to his physical maturity. He still has some growing to do on both counts, though. He has been pushed, and his game collapsed when he opened 2006 in high Class A. He struggled offensively (specifically with pitch recognition) and defensively, and he lost confidence. One scout who saw Charleston still liked him better than Jose Tabata because of his body and future power potential. The Yankees hope this is Vechionacci's true breakout season, and if it is, he could finish it in Double-A.