Magneuris Sierra

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #7 prospect in 2018
  A touted international signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Sierra slowly advanced before making the massive jump from high Class A straight to the majors in May 2017 when a rash of injuries left the Cardinals short of outfielders. He showed very well before returning to the minors at Double-A Springfield, and then rejoined the Cardinals in September. Sierra was then traded to the Marlins in December 2017, when he joined minor league righthanders Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen as headliners in the deal for outfielder Marcell Ozuna. Sierra fits the mold of an old-school leadoff hitter. Lithe and athletic, he has a compact lefthanded swing and slaps the ball gap to gap. He excels playing small ball and using his plus-plus speed to beat out infield singles and put pressure on opposing defenses. His speed plays up even more with tight turns on the bases. Sierra is an aggressive hitter who doesn't walk much, but his improving pitch recognition has led to a reduction in strikeouts. He is adding strength but does not project to ever be a home run hitter. Center field is where Sierra shines defensively, with top-flight tracking ability, elite instincts, efficient routes and a plus, accurate arm. Sierra's athleticism, elite speed and center field defense provide a solid baseline for a big league career, generally in the vein of a player like Jarrod Dyson.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #5 prospect in 2017
  Part of an international signing class with Alex Reyes and Edmundo Sosa, Sierra landed a $105,000 bonus and swiftly asserted himself. . In his debut season he became the first teenager to win the Cardinals' organization player of the year award, and that invited an aggressive promotion the next season that chilled his production. Given a second crack at low Class A Peoria in 2016, the live-wire athlete got his groove back. Sierra is a superior defensive center fielder with an easy gallop and wide-open range. He shows instincts beyond his level, playing shallow to steal singles and still being able to track back without a glitch. His arm plays even better than its plus strength because of his quick release and accuracy. His glove will keep him in the lineup, allowing a polarizing bat to steady. Sierra has a swift, compact swing, and he added strength that allows him to drive the ball. Better pitch recognition will help him unlock the above-average hitter he can be. He's an above-average runner still learning how to use his speed efficiently on the bases. Sierra will begin 2017 at high Class A Palm Beach and, if he hits, could surge quickly because the glove is deft.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #6 prospect in 2016
  The Cardinals' 2012 international signing class produced three of their Top 10 Prospects, including No. 1 Alex Reyes and Sierra, who signed for $105,000. While Reyes signed for $950,000, Sierra signed for just $105,000 that July. He dominated the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his U.S. debut in 2014, winning the batting title, but struggled significantly with a jump to low Class A Peoria in 2015 before regaining momentum following a demotion to Rookie-level Johnson City. Sierra plays with a confidence that wasn't significantly shaken by his Midwest League struggles. He's a top-of-the-scale runner and pure center fielder with advanced defensive ability who has the effortless range. He also has a plus arm. Sierra has added strength and is no slap hitter, with a short, compact swing and gap power. His raw offensive approach left him often swinging at pitcher's pitches, and he must improve his pitch recognition to reach his ceiling as an above-average hitter. His speed could allow him to boost his average with infield hits and make him a premium basestealer, though his jumps and instincts need development. If it all works out, Sierra will be a Gold Glove center fielder and table-setting leadoff hitter. He'll return to Peoria in 2016.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #10 prospect in 2015
  As the Cardinals identified where they've best had success in Latin America, they felt that the players with mid-range bonus demands and raw tools were their ideal targets. Sierra fit that description. A left/left center fielder with a projectable frame, Sierra signed for $105,000 in 2012 and hinted at a much larger return in 2014, his first season in the U.S. He won the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League batting title (.386) and ranked third in on-base percentage (.434). He became the youngest winner of the Cardinals' minor league player of the year award. Sierra has a steady, line-drive swing with bat control that keeps the barrel in the zone. He uses all fields and figures to maintain that high-average ability as he develops an approach that could belong at the top of the order. His broad shoulders and athleticism hint at the strength he'll gain as he matures, but he doesn't have that lift for future power. He has speed on the bases and in the field, making him one of the finest fielders at his position in the GCL. The secret is out. A name whispered throughout the Cardinals organization is now one known beyond their academy and expectations will surge accordingly. A year at another short-season club is possible in 2015 before he slingshots to higher levels.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Texas League #9 prospect in 2017
  Sierra started the season at high Class A Palm Beach, received a surprising two-week callup to St. Louis in May to fill in for injured players, and then spent the rest of his year at Springfield. A naturally gifted defensive player with plus-plus speed, Sierra can play all three outfield positions well, as he did in the TL, where he split his time fairly evenly between right (34 games), left (26) and center (25).
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  Ranked Midwest League #12 prospect in 2016
  Sierra grades as one of the MWL's most-skilled defenders in center field and is perhaps a step behind Fort Wayne's Michael Gettys. He moves well into the gaps and has an above-average, accurate throwing arm. Sierra is a true center fielder and one scouts believe can handle the position in the majors right now, even with three-deck stadiums and larger spans to cover. Sierra's bat is no slam dunk, however. He has shown great bat-to-ball ability versus righthanders, but he almost never walks and has well below-average power. "You're just trying to project that he can do some damage," one manager said, "but it's not a sure bet." However, another evaluator said he believes Sierra's quick, compact swing and projected strength gains mean he could hit 8-12 homers at his peak. Sierra is a plus runner, perhaps a tick more, and his 31 steals ranked third in the MWL, but he also was caught 17 times, which is indicative of his lack of feel.
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  Ranked National League #4 prospect in 2015
  After putting himself on the map with an exceptional season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2014, Sierra seemed poised to handle an assignment at low Class A Peoria this season. He hit just .191 in 51 games in the Midwest League, though, which prompted the Cardinals to demote him to Johnson City. Sierra came alive against lower-level pitchers, demanding the attention of scouts and opposing coaches. He uses an inside-out swing and quick hands to pepper both gaps with assertive line drives, though he lacks over-the-fence power in game action. Sierra maintains bat speed when he goes after pitches on the outer half of the strike zone, but struggles to make consistent contact on pitches in the lower half. He also has a tendency to chase breaking pitches outside of the zone. In center field, Sierra has a chance to develop into an elite defender. He impressed scouts with his reads off the bat and shows the ability to quickly position himself on flyballs. He has top-of-the-scale speed and plus body control.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #16 prospect in 2014
  When the Cardinals signed Sierra for $105,000, they were drawn to his contact-oriented bat and solid all-around tool set. In his U.S. debut, "Mags" led the GCL in average (.386) and on-base percentage (.434) while ranking fourth in slugging (.505). Sierra has excellent barrel control, which allows him to square up pitches in all areas of the strike zone and hit line drives to all fields. The lefthanded hitter has a sound idea of the strike zone, though he doesn't have much lift in his swing, so his game will be more about getting on base. A slightly above-average runner, Sierra has a strong, accurate arm in center field, where he earned praise for his defense. "It's amazing how much ground he covers in center field," Mets manager Jose Carreno said."He takes good routes, gets easy reads and he's not afraid to dive in the outfield. For me, he was the most exciting player in the (division)."

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Part of an international signing class with Alex Reyes and Edmundo Sosa, Sierra landed a $105,000 bonus and swiftly asserted himself. Sierra hit .386/.434/.505 in 2014 in the GCL, his first domestic assignment. He became the first teenager to win the Cardinals' organization player of the year award, and that invited an aggressive promotion the next season that chilled his production. Given a second crack at low Class A Peoria, the live-wire athlete got his groove back. Scouting Report: Sierra is a superior defensive center fielder with an easy gallop and wide-open range. Before turning 20 he showed instincts beyond his level, playing shallow to steal singles and still being able to track back without a glitch. His arm plays even better than its plus strength because of his quick release and accuracy. His glove will keep him in the lineup, allowing a polarizing bat to steady. Sierra has a swift, compact swing, and he added strength that allows him to drive the ball. Better pitch recognition will help him unlock the above-average hitter he can be. He's an above-average runner speedy enough to steal 31 bags and learning to be savvy enough to not get caught 17 times.
  
  The Future: Sierra could slingshot to Double-A Springfield at some point 2017. If he hits, he'll surge because the glove is deft. At his best, he's Dexter Fowler's understudy and eventual replacement in center field.
• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  The Cardinals' 2012 international signing class produced three of their Top 10 Prospects, including No. 1 Alex Reyes and Sierra, who signed for $105,000. While Reyes signed for $950,000, Sierra signed for just $105,000 that July. He dominated the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his U.S. debut in 2014, winning the batting title, but struggled significantly with a jump to low Class A Peoria in 2015 before regaining momentum following a demotion to Rookie-level Johnson City. Sierra plays with a confidence that wasn't significantly shaken by his Midwest League struggles. He's a top-of-the-scale runner and pure center fielder with advanced defensive ability who has the effortless range. He also has a plus arm. Sierra has added strength and is no slap hitter, with a short, compact swing and gap power. His raw offensive approach left him often swinging at pitcher's pitches, and he must improve his pitch recognition to reach his ceiling as an above-average hitter. His speed could allow him to boost his average with infield hits and make him a premium basestealer, though his jumps and instincts need development. If it all works out, Sierra will be a Gold Glove center fielder and table-setting leadoff hitter. He'll return to Peoria in 2016.