Jorge Alfaro

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #8 prospect in 2018
  Alfaro has tantalized scouts with his combination of power, arm strength and athleticism since signing with the Rangers for $1.3 million out of Colombia. Acquired from Texas at the 2015 trade deadline in the Cole Hamels deal, Alfaro has not put it all together yet. A disappointing 2017 season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley underscores that point, though he performed well once he reached the big leagues in August. Alfaro's game is built around his strength. He has a fast bat and plus-plus raw power to go deep to any part of the park. He doesn't fully tap into his power in games, however, in part due to his free-swinging approach. Alfaro doesn't recognize offspeed pitches well and frequently expands the strike zone. His strikeout rate jumped to 32 percent in Triple-A and he rarely walks, so he will never be a high on-base threat. Alfaro has gotten bigger, and has below-average speed, but he still moves well for a catcher. His arm is well above-average, though his blocking and receiving need improvement. Alfaro's power could carry him to an everyday role, but he must improve his pitch selectivity and clean up his receiving to get to that level.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #3 prospect in 2017
  Dealt to the Phillies at the 2015 trade deadline in the seven-player Cole Hamels deal, Alfaro missed most of the second half in 2015 with a broken left ankle that required surgery. In 2016 he returned showing cleaned-up defense at Double-A Reading before debuting in the majors in September. Alfaro is strong, has plus bat speed and double-plus raw power. He stays through the ball well to use the middle of the field and can drive the ball out to any part of the park. Plate discipline remains a weakness, and a more selective approach will be key to tapping into his raw power more in games. He surprises people with average speed, and his athleticism is evident behind the plate. He has top-of-the-scale arm strength and gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately, resulting in elite pop times. He threw out 44 percent of basestealers in Double-A. Alfaro still has room to improve his blocking and receiving but took major steps forward in those areas in 2016. With Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp ahead of him, Alfaro will likely head to Triple-A to start 2017. He has the upside to be an above-average regular behind the plate.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #5 prospect in 2016
  Signed for $1.3 million, a record for a Colombian player, Alfaro has had injuries slow his development. He dealt with a broken left hand in 2013 and hamstring issues in the past, and in 2015 he missed most of the second half with a broken left ankle that required surgery. He was part of the six-player group the Rangers sent to the Phillies for lefty ace Cole Hamels. Alfaro's hallmarks are his athleticism and strong throwing arm, which have long given scouts reason to believe he would be an excellent defensive backstop. His lost development time hurts behind the plate, though, for Alfaro's receiving and blocking remain below-average due to carelessness and poor technique. His offensive game also lacks polish. He has plenty of raw power, but his lack of selectivity and tendency to swing and miss suggest he won't be an average hitter in the future. If he can't stick as a catcher, his arm and athletic ability would make him a strong right-field candidate, as long as he retains enough speed after his ankle injury. With Andrew Knapp likely moving up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Alfaro is a good bet to start 2016 at Double-A Reading. He'll continue to work on his defensive chops and refining his approach at the plate before a possible midseason move to Triple-A. DAVID SCHOFIELD
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #3 prospect in 2015
  Alfaro went from Colombia to the Dominican Republic to train, then in January 2010 signed with the Rangers for $1.3 million, a Colombian record. A broken left hand in 2013 and hamstring issues in the past have cut into his development time, but he stayed healthy and logged a career high 121 games in 2014. Alfaro has two standout tools in his power and arm strength. His bat speed, explosive hips and strength generate plus raw power, though he remains a power-over-hit prospect who's still trying to tone down his aggressive approach, improve his pitch recognition and make more contact. He could grow to be an average hitter, which is plenty good for a catcher with his power. Alfaro is athletic and is one of the fastest catchers in baseball, a legitimate average runner. His double-plus arm generates pop times of sub-1.9 seconds on throws to second base. He's never been a shutdown defender of the running game, but he threw out basestealers at a solid 28 percent clip in 2014. Alfaro has the attributes to catch, but he's still a well below-average receiver who committed 23 passed balls in 90 games in 2014. Alfaro's defensive issues are troubling, but his ceiling is as an above-average player whose power can carry him. He likely returns to Double-A Frisco to start 2015.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #2 prospect in 2014
  Alfaro worked out for teams as a shortstop and third baseman in Colombia, but he moved behind the plate and started training in the Dominican Republic before signing with Texas for $1.3 million in January 2010. Alfaro caught just 29 games in 2012 due to hamstring and shoulder issues, but he spent most of 2013 behind the plate while repeating at low Class A Hickory, though he did miss about a month in July with a broken left hand. He has a 70 arm and is an outstanding athlete for a catcher, producing pop times as low as 1.8 seconds. Alfaro's blocking and receiving remain raw. His footwork and lateral movement improved last season, as did his in-game focus, but they still need work after allowing 28 passed balls in 86 games. He doesn't have a prototype catcher's body and is one of the fastest catchers in baseball, a legitimate 50 runner. Alfaro has good bat speed and plus power, though he's a free-swinger whose stroke can get long, resulting in low contact and walk rates. He has the upside to be a low on-base, power-hitting catcher with the arm strength to shut down a running game, and he thrived in the Arizona Fall League. He'll head back to high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2014.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #9 prospect in 2013
  Going unsigned during the 2009 international signing period prompted Alfaro to shift from third base to catcher and move his home base from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, broadening his appeal. He signed for $1.3 million in January 2010, establishing a record for a Colombian amateur. He wowed observers with his raw tools while making his full-season debut in 2012, but he caught just 29 games as he dealt with a hamstring injury and shoulder inflammation. Alfaro's mature frame and wicked bat speed produce plus raw power, but he'll need to tone down his aggressiveness to tap into it. Texas widened his hitting base to cut down on his lunging, and in order to enhance his discipline they encouraged him to trust his hands and not go outside his preferred hitting zone. With plus-plus arm strength and a live body, Alfaro engenders confidence that he can develop into an asset on defense. At this stage, however, his blocking and receiving skills are raw and his arm a bit scattershot. He threw out just 15 percent of basestealers in 2012. Exceptionally athletic for a catcher, he has close to average speed. Alfaro headed to the Puerto Rican League to continue to work with Rangers catching instructor Hector Ortiz, who manages at Ponce. If he can learn to slow the game down, Alfaro could be an all-star.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #7 prospect in 2012
  Alfaro didn't get much exposure as an infielder in his native Colombia, so he moved to the Dominican Republic and started catching. Though raw, he showed enough ability to handle the position to earn a Colombian-record $1.3 million bonus. He was the secondyoungest player in the short-season Northwest League last summer, behind teammate Rougned Odor. Athletic and strong, Alfaro stands out for his plus-plus raw power and his cannon arm. With impressive bat speed, hip rotation and extension, he puts on shows in batting practice. Like most young players, he can be overly aggressive and let his swing get long. There are concerns about his hitting ability and whether he'll make enough contact, but he shows pitch-recognition skills. His plate discipline still needs improvement after he walked four times in 45 games last year. Alfaro has top-of-the-scale raw arm strength and good accuracy, but he has a tendency to rush throws and get sloppy with his footwork. That's why he threw out just 22 percent of basestealers in 2011. With refinement, he projects as an above-average defender. Alfaro moves well laterally and is more athletic than most catchers, and he even has fringy speed. He's still learning to deal with success and failure. With the potential to be a middle-of-the-order, middle-of-the-diamond player, Alfaro has one of the highest ceilings in the system. He'll advance to low Class A in 2012.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #17 prospect in 2011
  The Rangers signed Alfaro as a 16-year-old last January for a $1.3 million bonus, the most ever given to a Colombian player. His first exposure to pro ball came in spring training, where he put too much pressure on himself and was overmatched by the level of competition. The first taste of failure was a shock to Alfaro, who went to the Rangers' Dominican complex and got off to a miserable start in the Dominican Summer League, though he hit a more respectable .254 in August. He gained some momentum with a strong showing in the Dominican instructional league. Alfaro has two premium tools in his arm strength and his raw power, and some evaluators rate both as well-above-average. A converted infielder, he had very little catching experience before signing with Texas, so he has a long way to go defensively, but his receiving and blocking skills already have made progress in his first year of pro ball. Like most 17-year-olds, he needs to get stronger, but he has flashed provocative power. Alfaro has to prove himself at the plate, but the Rangers say he hangs in there against breaking balls and insist he does have feel for hitting. He's a good athlete with average speed. Alfaro will arrive in the United States for good in 2011, and there is some talk about skipping him a level to Spokane. His ceiling is that of an all-star catcher, but it's too early to tell if he'll ever tap into his potential.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #12 prospect in 2016
  Part of the package that the Rangers used to pry Cole Hamels from the Phillies in July 2015, Alfaro is in the upper echelon of minor league catchers. His athleticism allows him to be faster than the average catcher and more flexible than most when blocking balls in the dirt. Alfaro still has work to do behind the plate, especially when it comes to receiving and framing pitches, but his arm is among the game's best. He posted pop times on throws to second base in the range of 1.8 seconds this year with Reading and cut down 44 percent of basestealers. Alfaro shows some swing-and-miss at the plate, but he also has a powerful, high-effort stroke that produces doubles and homers to all sectors. The Phillies jumped him over Triple-A when they called him up, and he projects as the long-term heir to Carlos Ruiz.
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  Ranked Texas League #14 prospect in 2015
  Alfaro is as divisive a prospect as existed in the TL in 2015. His power, arm strength and athleticism are intriguing, and all three are assets even in the minds of detractors. However, his aggressive approach and lack of selectivity diminish the quality of his hit tool, and his actions behind the plate now lead many evaluators to believe his future will not be at catcher. "He's a mess behind the plate," said one scout. "He absolutely has a cannon--oh my goodness. If someone can clean him up behind the plate (then look out)." Alfaro's plus throwing arm has scouts seeing a future in right field. A major league comparison to Jeff Francoeur carried weight for scouts who see an aggressive, power-over-hit corner player with an incredible arm and a paucity of walks. The Phillies acquired Alfrao in the Cole Hamels deadline deal but didn't get to see him in action because of an ankle injury he sustained in June. They plan to work with him as a catcher if he's ready in time for instructional league.
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  Ranked Carolina League #2 prospect in 2014
  Alfaro impressed managers and scouts with his defense and his offense. The biggest question seems to be which part of his game is his best. "Alfaro has plus arm strength and good leadership, and it looks like he has some power," Carolina manager Scooter Tucker said. Even Alfaro boosters acknowledge he needs to improve his receiving and reduce his passed ball total, however. He allowed 23 in 90 games behind the plate between Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco. "He has a great arm, plus he's getting better with his receiving," Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. "He's an offensive guy, no doubt about it, but he can also handle a pitching staff." Lynchburg manager Luis Salazar pointed first to Alfaro's slugging ability. "He's a good hitter with power," he said. "He can run a little, too. This kid, he's going to get there fast." Alfaro will hit for at least average power, but his aggressive approach and lack of plate patience will limit his on-base potential.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #14 prospect in 2013
  Alfaro is an extremely tooled-up Hickory hitter who could one day be a big league all-star?but he has a lot of development in front of him before he can reach his ceiling. Where have you heard that one before? Alfaro, who was repeating the SAL, is one of the most athletic catchers in the game. A former shortstop, he caught almost as many games this year as he had in the first three years of his career. His footwork has improved as has his movement behind the plate, but it still has a ways to go. Alfaro?s 26 passed balls were second most in the league. He has an extremely strong arm he used to throw out 36 percent of basestealers. At the plate, Alfaro has plus power potential, and he?s one of the fastest catchers in the minors?fast enough that scouts say he could probably move to right field if needed. But his hitting approach, like most of his teammates, remains rudimentary. He needs to work counts better and learn to be more selective.
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  Ranked Northwest League #8 prospect in 2011
  Signed out of Colombia for $1.3 million, Alfaro has a strong frame and excellent bat speed. He puts on a show in batting practice, launching balls out to all fields. He's overly aggressive in games, leading to a lengthy stroke and too many swings and misses. "When he settles in and becomes OK with hitting the ball middle-away, he's got power to the right-center gap," Hulett said. "There's no part of the park that can hold him." Alfaro also needs to tone down his defensive game. He has soft hands and a well above-average arm, though he sometimes slashes at balls and threw out just 22 percent of basestealers this year. He's more athletic and moves better than most catchers.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #41 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2015
• Ranked Baseball America's #54 prospect in 2014

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Alfaro has tantalized scouts with his combination of power, arm strength and athleticism since signing with the Rangers. Acquired from Texas at the 2015 trade deadline in the Cole Hamels deal, Alfaro has not put it all together yet. A disappointing 2017 season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley underscores that point, though he performed well once he reached the big leagues in August. Scouting Report: Alfaro has a fast bat and plus-plus raw power to go deep to any part of the park. He doesn't fully tap into his power in games, however, in part due to his free-swinging approach. Alfaro doesn't recognize offspeed pitches well and frequently expands the strike zone. His strikeout rate jumped to 32 percent in Triple-A and he rarely walks, so he will never be a high on-base threat. Alfaro has gotten bigger, but he still moves well for a catcher and has below-average speed. His arm is well above-average, though his blocking and receiving need improvement. The Future: Alfaro's power could carry him to an everyday role, but he must improve his pitch selectivity and clean up his receiving to get to that level.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Alfaro signed with the Rangers for $1.3 million when he was 16 in 2010. Dealt to the Phillies at the 2015 trade deadline in the seven-player Cole Hamels deal, Alfaro missed most of the second half in 2015 with a broken left ankle that required surgery. In 2016 he showed cleaned-up defense at Double-A Reading before debuting in the major leagues in September. Scouting Report: Alfaro is strong, has plus bat speed and plus-plus raw power. There's effort to his swing, but he stays through the ball well to use the middle of the field and can drive the ball out to any part of the park. Plate discipline remains a weakness, and a more selective approach will be key to tapping into his raw power more in games. He surprises people with average speed, and his athleticism is evident behind the plate. He has top-of-the-scale arm strength and gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately, resulting in elite pop times on throws to second base. He threw out 44 percent of basestealers in Double-A. Alfaro still has room to improve his blocking and receiving but took major steps forward in those areas in 2016.
  
  The Future: With Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp ahead of him, Alfaro will likely head to Triple-A to start 2017. He has the upside to be an above-average regular behind the plate.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Going unsigned during the 2009 international signing period prompted Alfaro to shift from third base to catcher and move his home base from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, broadening his appeal. He signed for $1.3 million in January 2010, establishing a record for a Colombian amateur. He wowed observers with his raw tools while making his full-season debut in 2012, but he caught just 29 games as he dealt with a hamstring injury and shoulder inflammation. Scouting Report: Alfaro's mature frame and wicked bat speed produce plus raw power, but he'll need to tone down his aggressiveness to tap into it. Texas widened his hitting base to cut down on his lunging, and in order to enhance his discipline they encouraged him to trust his hands and not go outside his preferred hitting zone. With plus-plus arm strength and a live body, Alfaro engenders confidence that he can develop into an asset on defense. At this stage, however, his blocking and receiving skills are raw and his arm a bit scattershot. He threw out just 15 percent of basestealers in 2012. Exceptionally athletic for a catcher, he has close to average speed. The Future: Alfaro headed to the Puerto Rican League to continue to work with Rangers catching instructor Hector Ortiz, who manages at Ponce. If he can learn to slow the game down, Alfaro could be an all-star.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Alfaro didn't get much exposure as an infielder in his native Colombia, so he moved to the Dominican Republic and started catching. Though raw behind the plate, he showed enough ability to handle the position to earn a Colombian-record $1.3 million bonus. He was the second-youngest player in the short-season Northwest League last summer, behind only teammate Rougned Odor.Scouting Report: Athletic and strong, Alfaro stands out for his plus-plus raw power and his cannon arm. With impressive bat speed, hip rotation and extension, he puts on shows in batting practice. Like most young players, he can be overly aggressive and let his swing get long. He shows pitch-recognition skills but he could stand to make more contact, and his plate discipline still needs a lot of improvement. Alfaro has top-of-the-scale raw arm strength and good accuracy, but he has a tendency to rush throws and get sloppy with his footwork. That's why he threw out just 22 percent of basestealers in 2011. With refinement, he projects as an above-average overall defender. Alfaro moves well laterally and is more athletic than most catchers, and he even has fringy speed. He's still learning to deal with success and failure.The Future: With the potential to be a middle-of-the-order, middle-of-the-diamond star, Alfaro has one of the highest ceilings in the system. He'll advance to low Class A in 2012.