Engelb Vielma
| AB | 7 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .143 |
| OBP | .25 |
| SLG | .143 |
| HR | 0 |
- Full name Engelb Stalin Vielma
- Born 06/22/1994 in Maracaibo, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 155 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- Debut 04/13/2018
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Vielma was a slender 150-pound teen when the Twins signed him out of Venezuela for $90,000 in 2011, and there were questions whether the shortstop could develop the physicality to be an everyday player and a productive hitter. Though he has added some muscle and strength to his frame, those questions linger. A switch-hitter, Vielma has well below-average power from both sides and posted an anemic .047 isolated slugging percentage at Double-A Chattanooga in 2016. He did reach the gaps more frequently than in the past, however. An average runner, Vielma's offensive toolset is limited. His defensive prowess could be his ticket to the big leagues. A plus defender and the best pure shortstop in the system, he has soft hands, sharp instincts, quick actions and a plus arm. The Twins added Vielma to the 40-man roster after the 2016 season and put him in a strength-and-conditioning camp in the offseason to try to build his strength and stamina. He could be the first man up from Triple-A Rochester in 2017 if the Twins need defensive help in the middle infield. -
Since being signed out of Venezuela for $90,000 as a 150-pound teen, the switch-hitting Vielma has made himself into the organization's best defensive infielder. Voted the 19th-best prospect in the Florida State League, Vielma has soft hands, smooth actions and outstanding footwork to go with a plus arm and jaw-dropping range. After averaging fewer than 20 errors the past two seasons in Class A, he figures to make the move to Double-A Chattanooga next season. His bat has progressed with the additional 15-20 pounds of good weight, although it's still the weakest part of his game. His OPS was 151 points higher in the second half, and he started to find the barrel more often despite a walk rate that has yet to crack double digits. Despite average speed, his stolen base total was second highest in the Twins system as he improved his instincts on the bases. He worked hard to polish his small-ball skills, leading the FSL with 18 sacrifice bunts and showing the ability to bunt for hits. His modest production is fairly balanced from both sides of the plate. One level ahead of 2014 first-rounder Nick Gordon, Vielma will move as fast as his improving bat allows. -
Signed out of Venezuela for $90,000 in fall 2011, the switch-hitting Vielma made gradual progress before taking a major leap forward in 2014. Even with the likes of Jorge Polanco and Nick Gordon in the system as high-end shortstops, Vielma's sure hands, range and arm all rate as plus weapons and make him the Twins' best defensive infielder by far. Showing outstanding body control, smooth actions and advanced instincts, he is a natural shortstop. He struggled in the April cold at low Class A Cedar Rapids, but his pitch selection improved as the year wore on and the temperatures climbed. Typically aggressive, he learned with the help of Kernels hitting coach Tommy Watkins to lay off breaking balls and drive fastballs he could handle into both gaps. With just average speed, Vielma still must improve his instincts as a basestealer and as a baserunner in general. He figures to open 2015 at high Class A Fort Myers.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Twins system suddenly is flush with shortstops, and Vielma may be the best fielder of them all. He was the steadiest, flashiest and easiest defender in the FSL, leading the league in assists and double plays for shortstops while making 21 errors. One manager likened his playmaking ability to Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermier and raved, "You could show Little Leaguers him as an instructional video on how to play shortstop." Vielma has soft hands and tremendous footwork that helps him get every good hop, and he has an easy plus arm. The offensive bar is lower for a defender of his ilk, which is good because Vielma lacks any power. He must maximize the rest of his offensive game, and the Venezuelan switch-hitter has started to do so, leading the FSL in sacrifice bunts (18) and more than tripling his stolen base total (35) from the previous year at low Class A Cedar Rapids. "He was an impact guy, a different guy at the plate in the second half,"" Bradenton manager Mike Ryan said of Vielma, who had a .553 OPS in the first half and a .704 in the second half. "He can really run and started stealing bases, and he showed a better feel for the barrel. I can see why they like him."
