AB | 8 |
---|---|
AVG | .125 |
OBP | .125 |
SLG | .125 |
HR | 0 |
- Full name Charles Joseph Wesley Alexander
- Born 07/17/1996 in Merrillville, IN
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School State College Of Florida
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Drafted in the 20th round (592nd overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 (signed for $125,000).
View Draft Report
The older brother of Blaze Alexander, C.J. is a solid prospect in his own right, although he's an entirely different player than his defensive-oriented younger brother. Alexander transferred from Ball State after playing sparingly in two seasons, and he has improved his draft stock tremendously thanks to a strong spring with State JC of Florida as well as an impressive summer when he ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League. This spring, he hit .405/.488/.785, leading the Manatees in slugging percentage and home runs (15). Power is Alexander's carrying tool and he has 70-grade raw power with a fluid lefthanded swing. The Central Florida commit did a nice job of cutting down his strikeouts this spring and has shown enough ability at third base to have a chance to stick at the hot corner in pro ball. His plus arm strength would easily play at the position, although some evaluators worry that his size--6-foot-5, 215 pounds--will push him to first base or a corner outfield spot. A fringe-average runner currently, his speed could continue to diminish in the future.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: The track record of junior college hitters is not good. While there are some draft finds, there are also plenty of high draft picks whose success at the plate did not translate to pro ball. Alexander, the older brother of D-backs shortstop Blaze Alexander, was collateral damage for that. Even after hitting .405/.488/.785, he had to wait until the 20th round to hear his name called.
Scouting Report: From the day he became a pro, Alexander has shown that his hitting ability translates to pro ball and a wood bat. He adjusted his approach in pro ball as he went from a pull-heavy hitter to one who can wear out the left-center field gap. He's an above-average hitter and there's average power potential as well, although he's yet to show he can hit for average and power at the same time with a wood bat. His swing is designed to lift the ball and it is short and compact. Defensively, Alexander is fine at third with average range and a plus arm and he's an average runner.
The Future: Alexander was a revelation. He'll head to low Class A Rome to prove he can keep hitting against more advanced pitching. If his 2019 season comes close to matching his 2018 production he'll quickly climb these rankings. He has the pieces to be an everyday third baseman.
Draft Prospects
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The older brother of Blaze Alexander, C.J. is a solid prospect in his own right, although he's an entirely different player than his defensive-oriented younger brother. Alexander transferred from Ball State after playing sparingly in two seasons, and he has improved his draft stock tremendously thanks to a strong spring with State JC of Florida as well as an impressive summer when he ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League. This spring, he hit .405/.488/.785, leading the Manatees in slugging percentage and home runs (15). Power is Alexander's carrying tool and he has 70-grade raw power with a fluid lefthanded swing. The Central Florida commit did a nice job of cutting down his strikeouts this spring and has shown enough ability at third base to have a chance to stick at the hot corner in pro ball. His plus arm strength would easily play at the position, although some evaluators worry that his size--6-foot-5, 215 pounds--will push him to first base or a corner outfield spot. A fringe-average runner currently, his speed could continue to diminish in the future.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A 20th-round pick out of junior college, Alexander is likely leaving a lot of teams wondering why he lingered on the board so far into day three of the draft, and the Braves wondering if they've found a diamond in the rough. A big, physical third baseman, Alexander tore up both the Gulf Coast and Appy Leagues before earning a promotion to the Florida State League, where he posted an .836 on-base plus slugging. Plus raw power is his carrying tool, but Alexander also has plus arm strength from the hot corner, where he could turn into an average defender. Perhaps the biggest difference in Alexander's draft and pro reports is his speed, as Alexander tallied seven triples across three leagues, with scouts labeling him an average runner with good athleticism and baserunning ability. Alexander is already 22, so he could be pushed aggressively until he's challenged more offensively.