Livan Soto

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #26 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Soto was one of 12 international amateurs who signed with the Braves but were later declared free agents by MLB due to the Braves' violations of international signing rules. Soto signed with Angels for $850,000 shortly after and progressively worked his way up the system, leading up to a breakout 2022. Soto hit a career-high.281 at Double-A in 2022 and earned a September callup to the Angels, where he hit .400 (22 for 55) in 18 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Soto is a defense-first middle infielder whose hitting ability is slowly improving. He has solid pure contact skills and finds the barrel with ease from the left side. He rarely swings and misses and should hit for contact, but it's often soft contact. He rarely impacts the ball and his power is below-average due to his small frame. The Angels tweaked Soto's hand position to allow for more separation and an inclined swing path, but the results have only changed slightly. He has solid plate discipline and gives competitive at-bats, leading to high walk and low strikeout rates. Soto is one of the best defensive infielders in the Angels system with twitchy actions, soft hands, and advanced instincts at shortstop. He has an average arm strength that plays up with a quick release and good internal clock.
  
  
  
  The Future: Soto may be a bench option for the Angels in 2023. He will have to impact the ball more to garner attention as a utility option.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #22 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Soto is one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB in 2017 as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules. He signed with the Angels and gained 15 pounds, but the added strength did not result in more power. Soto hit only one home run and seven doubles in 273 Rookie-level and low Class A at-bats in 2019. His only 2020 action came at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto is one of the best defenders in the Angels system with good instincts and fasttwitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Though his best position is shortstop, he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. Soto has solid bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach at the plate--he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons--but he lacks pop and is a slightly below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Soto is still only 20 and has time to develop, but unless he hits for more power, he projects more as a utility player. He will begin 2021 at one of the Class A levels.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #23 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Soto, one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules, gained 15 pounds between 2018 and 2019, but the added strength did not result in more power. He hit only one homer and had seven doubles in 273 at-bats in between the Rookie-level Arizona League and low Class A Burlington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto has an advanced approach at the plate—he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons—and his bat-to-ball skills should allow him to hit for average. He'll never be a 25-homer hitter, but the Angels believe Soto can develop the gap-to-gap power to generate more extra-base hits. He's one of the better defenders in the system, with good instincts and fast-twitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Soto's best position is shortstop, but he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. He's an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: If Soto retains his agility as he gains weight, he could develop into a big-league utility infielder. He doesn't turn 20 until midway through the 2020 season and still has time.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #25 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Angels signed Soto, one of the 12 Braves prospects declared free agents by MLB as punishment for the team violating international signing rules, in 2017. Soto is undersized and he has little power potential, but he quickly established himself as one of the best defensive infielders in the system.
  
  Scouting Report: Soto has exceptional hand-eye coordination, good bat-to-ball skills and has shown a potential to hit for average. He changed his swing last season, but his flatter path to the ball wasn't as natural and generated no power. Plate discipline is a strength--he had as many walks as strikeouts in 2017. Soto's defensive instincts, along with his fast-twitch actions, good first step, quick hands and transfer, play at shortstop, but his arm is just average.
  
  The Future: The Angels won't know what they have in Soto until he matures physically. Most scouts believe he might profile better as a second baseman, but some believe he can stick at shortstop because of his ability to compensate for his arm with good positioning, footwork and body control.He has a chance to see full-season ball in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #16 prospect in 2018
  Soto signed with the Braves for $1 million as one of the top prospects during the 2016 international signing period. He made his pro debut the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2017, but after the season was one the 12 Braves prospects declared free agents by Major League Baseball as punishment for violating international signing rules. The Angels signed Soto the first day he was eligible sign with a new club for $850,000. Soto's 2017 stat line is ugly, with a .225 batting average and .586 OPS, but evaluators say the quality of his at-bats was better than his numbers indicate. He walked more than he struck out and showed an excellent understanding of the strike zone. There are scouts who believe Soto will end up as an above-average hitter with fringe-average power, but he has to add a lot of muscle and strength to get there. His swing is fundamentally sound with a line-drive approach and he's a good bunter. Soto mostly stands out at shortstop as a future plus defender with a plus arm. He has an excellent internal clock and possesses an advanced understanding of the nuances of the game. Soto is an above-average runner and earns plaudits as a team leader. Soto has an everyday shortstop ceiling, but is a long way away.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Soto was one of 12 international amateurs who signed with the Braves but were later declared free agents by MLB due to the Braves' violations of international signing rules. Soto signed with Angels for $850,000 shortly after and progressively worked his way up the system, leading up to a breakout 2022. Soto hit a career-high.281 at Double-A in 2022 and earned a September callup to the Angels, where he hit .400 (22 for 55) in 18 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Soto is a defense-first middle infielder whose hitting ability is slowly improving. He has solid pure contact skills and finds the barrel with ease from the left side. He rarely swings and misses and should hit for contact, but it's often soft contact. He rarely impacts the ball and his power is below-average due to his small frame. The Angels tweaked Soto's hand position to allow for more separation and an inclined swing path, but the results have only changed slightly. He has solid plate discipline and gives competitive at-bats, leading to high walk and low strikeout rates. Soto is one of the best defensive infielders in the Angels system with twitchy actions, soft hands, and advanced instincts at shortstop. He has an average arm strength that plays up with a quick release and good internal clock.
  
  
  
  The Future: Soto may be a bench option for the Angels in 2023. He will have to impact the ball more to garner attention as a utility option.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Soto was one of 12 international amateurs who signed with the Braves but were later declared free agents by MLB due to the Braves' violations of international signing rules. Soto signed with Angels for $850,000 shortly after and progressively worked his way up the system, leading up to a breakout 2022. Soto hit a career-high.281 at Double-A in 2022 and earned a September callup to the Angels, where he hit .400 (22 for 55) in 18 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Soto is a defense-first middle infielder whose hitting ability is slowly improving. He has solid pure contact skills and finds the barrel with ease from the left side. He rarely swings and misses and should hit for contact, but it's often soft contact. He rarely impacts the ball and his power is below-average due to his small frame. The Angels tweaked Soto's hand position to allow for more separation and an inclined swing path, but the results have only changed slightly. He has solid plate discipline and gives competitive at-bats, leading to high walk and low strikeout rates. Soto is one of the best defensive infielders in the Angels system with twitchy actions, soft hands, and advanced instincts at shortstop. He has an average arm strength that plays up with a quick release and good internal clock.
  
  
  
  The Future: Soto may be a bench option for the Angels in 2023. He will have to impact the ball more to garner attention as a utility option.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Midseason Update: The slick-fielding Soto has stood out defensively at both shortstop and second base at Double-A Rocket City while showing an improved approach. His bat still projects to be light, but he now makes enough contact to survive as a potential reserve in the majors.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Soto is one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB in 2017 as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules. He signed with the Angels and gained 15 pounds, but the added strength did not result in more power. Soto hit only one home run and seven doubles in 273 Rookie-level and low Class A at-bats in 2019. His only 2020 action came at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto is one of the best defenders in the Angels system with good instincts and fasttwitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Though his best position is shortstop, he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. Soto has solid bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach at the plate--he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons--but he lacks pop and is a slightly below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Soto is still only 20 and has time to develop, but unless he hits for more power, he projects more as a utility player. He will begin 2021 at one of the Class A levels.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Soto is one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB in 2017 as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules. He signed with the Angels and gained 15 pounds, but the added strength did not result in more power. Soto hit only one home run and seven doubles in 273 Rookie-level and low Class A at-bats in 2019. His only 2020 action came at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto is one of the best defenders in the Angels system with good instincts and fasttwitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Though his best position is shortstop, he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. Soto has solid bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach at the plate--he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons--but he lacks pop and is a slightly below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Soto is still only 20 and has time to develop, but unless he hits for more power, he projects more as a utility player. He will begin 2021 at one of the Class A levels.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Soto, one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB as punishment for Atlanta’s violation of international signing rules, gained 15 pounds between 2018 and 2019, but the added strength did not result in more power. He hit only one homer and had seven doubles in 273 at-bats in between the Rookie-level Arizona League and low Class A Burlington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto has an advanced approach at the plate—he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons—and his bat-to-ball skills should allow him to hit for average. He’ll never be a 25-homer hitter, but the Angels believe Soto can develop the gap-to-gap power to generate more extra-base hits. He’s one of the better defenders in the system, with good instincts and fast-twitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Soto’s best position is shortstop, but he’s also grown into a plus defender at second base. He’s an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: If Soto retains his agility as he gains weight, he could develop into a big-league utility infielder. He doesn’t turn 20 until midway through the 2020 season and still has time.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Soto, one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB as punishment for Atlanta’s violation of international signing rules, gained 15 pounds between 2018 and 2019, but the added strength did not result in more power. He hit only one homer and had seven doubles in 273 at-bats in between the Rookie-level Arizona League and low Class A Burlington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto has an advanced approach at the plate—he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons—and his bat-to-ball skills should allow him to hit for average. He’ll never be a 25-homer hitter, but the Angels believe Soto can develop the gap-to-gap power to generate more extra-base hits. He’s one of the better defenders in the system, with good instincts and fast-twitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Soto’s best position is shortstop, but he’s also grown into a plus defender at second base. He’s an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: If Soto retains his agility as he gains weight, he could develop into a big-league utility infielder. He doesn’t turn 20 until midway through the 2020 season and still has time.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Soto, one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules, gained 15 pounds between 2018 and 2019, but the added strength did not result in more power. He hit only one homer and had seven doubles in 273 at-bats in between the Rookie-level Arizona League and low Class A Burlington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Soto has an advanced approach at the plate—he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons—and his bat-to-ball skills should allow him to hit for average. He'll never be a 25-homer hitter, but the Angels believe Soto can develop the gap-to-gap power to generate more extra-base hits. He's one of the better defenders in the system, with good instincts and fast-twitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Soto's best position is shortstop, but he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. He's an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: If Soto retains his agility as he gains weight, he could develop into a big-league utility infielder. He doesn't turn 20 until midway through the 2020 season and still has time.