Jorge Bonifacio Stats & Scouting Report

AB	118
AVG	.195
OBP	.315
SLG	.39
HR	6

Full name Jorge Luis Bonifacio
Born 06/04/1993 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 04/21/2017

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The younger brother of veteran big leaguer Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge Bonifacio began his pro career as a hitter who liked to use the opposite field. He morphed into a pull-heavy slugger whose batting average plunged in response. Now he's trying to find a balance. Bonifacio has spent years working to balance his power and hitting tools, trying to get to his raw power without gutting his ability to use the whole field and hit for average. Early in his pro career, his inside out swing kept him from driving the ball but led to plenty of singles and doubles. His attempt to pull the ball led to his average cratering after he reached Double-A. In 2016, he finally started to find a happy medium. He improved his selectivity and started to drive the ball from gap to gap, but his power tailed off badly in the second half. Bonifacio projects as an average hitter with average power. He is an above-average arm that fits in right field but his below-average speed limits his fringe-average range. Bonifacio doesn't fit in as an extra outfielder because of his defense. If he gets to his power, he profiles as a second-division regular. If not, he'll be a long-time Triple-A/up-and-down player. With Paulo Orlando and Hunter Dozier ahead of him, he returns to Triple-A in 2017.
The brother of long-time big league utilityman and one-time Royal Emilio Bonifacio, the younger Bonifacio started to hit for the power that scouts expected. In his second full season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas Bonifacio tied for fourth in the league with 17 home runs and tied for fifth with 49 extra-base hits. Bonifacio has transformed his approach and swing over the past two years, trading a potentially plus hit tool for a plus power tool. Bonifacio used to wear out the right-center field gap. Now he's narrowed his stance and raised his hands to better handle inside fastballs. That has paid off in better power numbers, but he's also become pull-happy and chases pitches off the outer half. Bonifacio is now a below-average runner with a tick-below-average range. His above-average arm fits in right field but he needs to improve his accuracy. Bonifacio won't turn 23 until the middle of 2016, and he'll still be one of the younger players in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
The younger brother of long-time big league speedster Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge has been one of the more productive hitters in the Royals system. After hitting .280 or better in each of his first three pro seasons, however, Bonifacio's average and power both cratered in 2014. Bonifacio, like Hunter Dozier, has an up-the-middle approach that is better suited to hitting for average than cranking home runs. His wide stance makes it difficult for him to use his legs fully in his swing, but when he has tried to narrow his base, he doesn't look as comfortable at the plate. Bonifacio has the bat speed to catch up to most any fastball with a simple stroke, but he's proven vulnerable to sliders and changeups off the outer half at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He has above-average raw power, but it's never translated to productive in-game power, and he probably won't develop that power without hurting his average. A strong-bodied right fielder with a strong arm, Bonifacio has average range and below-average speed. Bonifacio still is the Royals' best hope for an in-house option to become an everyday corner outfielder, but he's no closer to filling that role than he was a year ago. At his best, he's a useful complementary regular whose solid average and on-base skills help compensate for a lack of profile power.
From the moment the Royals traded away Wil Myers, Bonifacio became the club's best hope for a long-term right fielder. His older brother Emilio joined the Royals in a midseason trade. Jorge's climb was slowed in 2013 by a broken hamate bone he suffered in mid-May, though he showed few ill effects upon returning, earning a quick promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Bonifacio is one of the best pure hitters in the organization. He has a significant hand waggle to start his trigger, but he gets into hitting position quickly, taking a small step for timing, followed by a short, direct swing. He uses the entire field. While Bonifacio projects as an above-average hitter, he may never have more than average power because of his approach. The Royals shortened his stance a few inches during the Arizona Fall League to help him get more leverage in his swing to see if that will lead to more home runs. Bonifacio is a 40 runner who neither helps nor hurts on the basepaths. He's an average right fielder, with his range limited by his speed, but he takes good routes, throws to the right base and has an above-average arm. Bonifacio is expected to start 2014 back at Double-A, but he could see Triple-A Omaha by the middle of the season.
The brother of big leaguer Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge couldn't be more different from his older sibling. Where Emilio is a light-hitting infielder who stands out for his speed, Jorge is a barrel-chested, power-hitting right fielder. In his first taste of full season ball, he hit .314/.369/.469 in the first half of 2012 as a teenager in low Class A, before slumping and missing much of August with an injured right wrist. Now that Wil Myers is gone, Bonifacio is the best pure hitter in the system. He produces line drive after line drive with quick wrists and plenty of strength in his hands. His swing can get long at times and it isn't picture perfect, but he hasn't had problems catching up to good velocity and he consistently barrels the ball. Unlike many young hitters, Bonifacio already knows that the opposite-field gap is his friend. He also has the strength to produce plus power as he matures, but he'll have to learn to pull inside pitches more frequently. He's an adequate right fielder with plenty of arm for the position, though he figures to slow from his current average speed as he matures and his stocky frame continues to fill out. If he continues to develop, Bonifacio has the tools to become an impact right fielder. He'll head to a more difficult hitting environment in Wilmington in 2013.
Because the Royals have three Rookie-level affiliates, Burlington sometimes get the short end of the talent pool. Kansas City treats Idaho Falls as its most advanced Rookie club and the AZL Royals as its least advanced, with Burlington caught in between. Nevertheless, Burlington did a get a full 2011 season from Bonifacio, one of the system's most promising young outfielders. The brother of big leaguer Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge has a somewhat lengthy swing and a rather noisy setup, yet still makes a healthy amount of contact and hits for power. He profiles as a solid defender in right field with an above-average arm. His worst tool is his speed. He's an average runner now but figures to slow down as he matures physically. The Royals challenged Bonifacio by playing him with their advanced instructional league team in the fall. He handled that assignment with few problems and appears ready for low Class A in 2012.

Minor League Top Prospects

Bonifacio's performance on the field has yet to live up to his tools, most notably in terms of his power production. Bonifacio can handcuff himself by focusing on hitting to the opposite field and allows teams to neutralize him with defensive shifts and pitches off the plate. He hit rock bottom by batting just .199 in June and July before heeding the Royals' advice that he change his approach. In August, Bonifacio narrowed his stance and raised his hands in his load position, creating separation from his body and allowing him to better turn on pitches. He finished the season on a 19-for-56 (.339) streak, and several managers noted a better approach down the stretch. Some observers believe he still has more power to tap into--even if he didn't hit a home run after June 18. Bonifacio plays a solid but not spectacular right field with average range and a strong, accurate arm. He runs decently for his size but may slow down as he fills out.
Bonifacio was hitting .325 and in the midst for a 15-for-31 tear when he suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand in early May, an injury that sidelined him for the next six weeks. He returned to Wilmington in July following a rehab stint in the Arizona League and displayed a mature approach and a feel for hitting to earn a promotion to Double-A at the end of the month. A physical player who doesn?t get cheated at the plate, Bonifacio generates plenty of bat speed while consistently squaring up line drives and showing a willingness to take pitches the opposite way. He likes to swing at first-pitch fastballs but doesn?t chase many pitches out of the strike zone. He hit just four home runs between two full-season levels and still is figuring out how to drive the ball to his pull side, something that league observers believe will come with experience and improved pitch recognition. Bonifacio plays a solid right field, has above-average arm strength and is a plus runner. Wilmington manager Vance Wilson praised his makeup, noting that on the day he went on the disabled list he volunteered to run sprints in the outfield to stay in shape.
Bonifiacio couldn't be more of a different player than his older brother. While Emilio has carved out a niche in the majors as a light-hitting, speedy utilityman, Jorge profiles as an everyday right fielder whose bat will carry him. He batted .314/.369/.469 in the first half, then slumped before missing the final month with a right wrist injury. An aggressive hitter who swings early in the count, Bonifacio focuses on using the opposite field. His quick wrists give him bat speed, and he likes to stay inside the ball. There's some violence and length to his swing, but he still controls the barrel well and could have plus power down the road. Presently an average runner, Bonifacio figures to lose a step as he gets older and fills out. He gets the job done in right field and has plus arm strength.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

Background: The younger brother of veteran big leaguer Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge Bonifacio began his pro career as a hitter who liked to use the opposite field. He morphed into a pull-heavy slugger whose batting average plunged in response. Now he's trying to find a balance. Scouting Report: Bonifacio has spent years working to balance his power and hitting tools, trying to get to his raw power without gutting his ability to use the whole field and hit for average. Early in his pro career, his inside out swing kept him from driving the ball but led to plenty of singles and doubles. His attempt to pull the ball led to his average cratering after he reached Double-A. In 2016, he finally started to find a happy medium. He improved his selectivity and started to drive the ball from gap to gap, but his power tailed off badly in the second half. Bonifacio projects as an average hitter with average power. He is an above-average arm that fits in right field but his below-average speed limits his fringe-average range.

The Future: Bonifacio doesn't fit in as an extra outfielder because of his defense. If he gets to his power, he profiles as a second-division regular. If not, he'll be a long-time Triple-A/up-and-down player. With Paulo Orlando and Hunter Dozier ahead of him, he returns to Triple-A in 2017.
Background: The brother of big leaguer Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge couldn't be more different from his older sibling. Where Emilio is a light-hitting infielder who stands out for his speed, Jorge is a barrel-chested, power-hitting right fielder. In his first taste of full season ball, he hit .314/.369/.469 in the first half of 2012 as a teenager in low Class A, before slumping and missing much of August with an injured right wrist. Scouting Report: With the exception of Wil Myers, Bonifacio is the best pure hitter in the system. He produces line drive after line drive with quick wrists and plenty of strength in his hands. His swing can get long at times and it isn't picture perfect, but he hasn't had problems catching up to good velocity and he consistently barrels the ball. Unlike many young hitters, Bonifacio already knows that the opposite-field gap is his friend. He also has the strength to produce plus power as he matures, but he'll have to learn to pull inside pitches more frequently. He's an adequate right fielder with plenty of arm for the position, though he figures to slow from his current average speed as he matures and his stocky frame continues to fill out. The Future: If he continues to develop, Bonifacio has the tools to become an impact right fielder. He'll head to a more difficult hitting environment in Wilmington in 2013.