Andy Ibanez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #29 prospect in 2018
  Ibanez was the youngest player on Cuba's 2013 World Baseball Classic team, then signed with the Rangers two years later for $1.6 million. Ibanez spent most of his first season in 2016 with Double-A Frisco, but he repeated the Texas League in 2017 and didn't take the next step forward in his development at the plate. Ibanez is a steady player whose tool box has a lot of 40s and 50s on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's an offensive-minded prospect who puts together quality at-bats with a short swing and good bat-to-ball skills. He got away from his swing at times last year, causing him to get underneath too many balls for easy outs instead of staying with his line-drive approach. His power is below-average with a chance for 10-15 home runs. Ibanez is a below-average runner with a fringe-average arm who fits best at second base, where he can make the routine plays. Triple-A Round Rock is the next step for Ibanez.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #5 prospect in 2017
  Ibanez was a standout in Cuba's junior leagues and even played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where he was Cuba's youngest player. After leaving Cuba, he signed with the Rangers for $1.6 million in July 2015. The Rangers took things slowly with Ibanez and started him at low Class A Hickory for his first season, then skipped him a level to Double-A Frisco in June. Ibanez is a similar player to Josh Morgan, with Ibanez having more power but less defensive versatility. He has a short, quick stroke with good bat-to-ball skills. He stays within the strike zone, puts the ball in play at a high clip and uses the middle of the field. Ibanez is mostly a doubles hitter who focuses on line drives, but he has the power to hit 10-15 home runs. With a thick lower half and below-average speed, he doesn't stand out for his athleticism. He's a slightly below-average defender at second base with a fringy arm and doesn't have the versatility to fill in at shortstop. Getting quicker first-step reactions off the bat will be key for him. Ibanez is a second baseman blocked at that position in Texas by Rougned Odor. His profile doesn't typically fetch much in trades, but his hitting potential could carry him as an everyday second baseman.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #8 prospect in 2016
  Ibanez stood out in Cuba from a young age, leading the country's 16U national league in batting (.458) and slugging (.703) in 2011, playing in the 16U World Cup that year and the 18U World Cup in 2013. Ibanez was the youngest player on Cuba's 2013 World Baseball Classic team, though he didn't play much there, and hit well in the 2014 World Port Tournament. After leaving Cuba, Ibanez signed with Texas for $1.6 million, widely considered a bargain by other organizations. Ibanez doesn't have one standout tool or flashy athleticism, but he has a strong track record of hitting in Cuba. He has a quick, short swing, good bat control and a line-drive approach with occasional power, though he's more of a doubles threat than a home run hitter. Ibanez has a thicker build for a middle infielder and is a below-average runner. He is an instinctive, high baseball IQ player who won a gold glove one season in Cuba, though he's more of a steady fielder than an above-average defender. After a long layoff from competitive baseball, Ibanez spent time in the Rangers' Dominican academy before playing winter ball in Colombia, where he was one of the league's best hitters. Given his time off and age, Ibanez might start in low Class A Hickory, but he could move quickly. Cuban Totals .283 242 817 106 231 60 6 13 97 71 119 14 14 .348 .419

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Ibanez was a standout in Cuba's junior leagues and even played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where he was Cuba's youngest player. After leaving Cuba, he signed with the Rangers for $1.6 million. The Rangers put him at low Class A Hickory, then skipped him a level to Double-A Frisco in June. Scouting Report: Ibanez is a similar player to Josh Morgan, with Ibanez having more power but less defensive versatility. He has a short, quick stroke with good bat-to-ball skills. He stays within the strike zone, puts the ball in play at a high clip and uses the middle of the field. Ibanez is mostly a doubles hitter who focuses on line drives, but he has the power to hit 10-15 home runs. With a thick lower half and below-average speed, he doesn't stand out for his athleticism. He's a slightly below-average defender at second base with a fringy arm and doesn't have the versatility to fill in at shortstop. Getting quicker first-step reactions off the bat will be key for him.
  
  The Future: Ibanez is a second baseman blocked at that position in Texas by Rougned Odor. His profile doesn't typically fetch much in trades, but his hitting potential could carry him as an everyday second baseman.
• November, 2015 Scouting Report
  Ibanez has been on the radar for major league scouts for several years, going back to his days representing Cuba at the 16U World Championship in Taiwan in 2009 and the 18U World Championship in Canada the following year. In 2013, Ibanez was the youngest player on Cuba's World Baseball Classic roster, though he played sparingly. He got more action that summer at the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands, where he went 9-for-15 (all singles) including a 3-for-5 showing in Cuba's victory in the title game. Ibanez was one of Cuba's top young players, though he hadn't yet had a breakout season in Serie Nacional, where he played for Isla De La Juventud. Ibanez doesn't have one electric tool or star upside, but he's a smart, fundamentally sound player who's steady across the board. He's a good hitter for his age, showing solid bat-to-ball skills with occasional power, though he's mostly a doubles threat who works the gaps. He's not a burner on the basepaths, but his athleticism and agility are evident in the field at second base, where he won Cuba's equivalent to a gold glove during his rookie season in 2011-12. He's played occasionally at third base, but his arm is a better fit at second. Once Ibanez signs, he will likely start his career at a high Class A or Double-A affiliate.