Emerson Jimenez
| IP | 123 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.683 |
| WHIP | 1.415 |
| BB/9 | 4.39 |
| SO/9 | 7.829 |
- Full name Emerson Arturo Jimenez
- Born 12/16/1994 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: L / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Rockies signed Jimenez for $275,000 when he was an athletic shortstop with good speed and a strong arm. He moved up through the Rockies system but never showed much life at the plate. In 2017, he reached Double-A, but he struggled there and the Rockies released him on May 24. Blue Jays pro scouting coordinator David Haynes identified Jimenez as a potential conversion candidate, though when the Blue Jays signed Jimenez on June 13, their plan was to have him fill in at shortstop, where they had a need due to injuries. After signing, Jimenez casually mentioned to the team that he could pitch if they wanted him to, so the Blue Jays put him on the mound and sent him to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League for the final month of the season. The early returns were encouraging, as Jimenez worked out of the bullpen throwing strikes with a fastball that sat in the mid-90s and reached 99 mph. Jimenez is still learning how to throw a breaking ball and learn the finer points of pitching, but he could follow the Carlos Ramirez path as a hitter-turned-pitcher who has a chance to rise up the system as a reliever. -
Jimenez started the 2014 season in extended spring training before heading to low Class A Asheville on May 20. The delay had nothing to do with his skills or injury. Instead, the Rockies wanted him to work on improving his English before heading off to a full-season league. Jimenez signed as a switch-hitter, but because he was undersized and lacked strength, the Rockies had him bat from his natural lefthanded side only. Now that he has filled out, Jimenez reinstituted his righthanded swing during instructional league in the Dominican Republic. He is an aggressive defensive player who can throw accurately from all angles with plus arm strength, and he makes all the agile reaction plays required of a premium shortstop. Jimenez projects to be a top-of-the-order hitter with the ability to hit line drives from gap to gap. He could open the 2015 season back at Asheville but should move to high Class A Modesto. -
Jimenez began his career in the Dominican Summer League in 2012 after he signed for $275,000 a year earlier. The Rockies like to give their Latin players two years in the DSL, meaning for the most part that they'll be 19 when they come to the U.S., typically with an assignment to the Rookie-level Pioneer League. With Jimenez's instincts for the game, and the organization's lack of superior shortstop options at Grand Junction, the Rockies correctly assessed that he could handle the jump at 18 after one season in the DSL. The wiry Jimenez needs to gain strength, which given his youth isn't surprising. His package of tools is exciting, including a plus arm, plus range and plus speed. He has a loose, quick swing from the left side and generates good bat speed. He needs to become a better bunter. Jimenez will chase out of the zone, particularly against lefthanders, but he will develop more plate discipline as he gains experience. Jimenez should move up to low Class A Asheville and play his first full professional season in 2014 at age 19.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Another product of the Rockies? rich Dominican program, Jimenez signed for $280,000 in 2011. He joined Grand Junction this season after just eight games in the DSL when Colorado, which doesn?t field a team in the Rookie-level Arizona League, decided that it didn?t have a better candidate to man shortstop in the PL. Jimenez already stands out for his defense, with excellent range, good instincts and a plus arm. He played exclusively at shortstop but also could handle second base. His weakest tool is power, but he projects as a quality top-of-the-order hitter with plus speed. His contact-oriented approach means that he doesn?t walk or bunt that often, something that the Rockies will encourage him to do as he develops. ?He?s got very good instincts on the field,? Grand Junction?s Sanders said. ?You aren?t going to find many 17- or 18-year-olds in this league looking like that.?
