Humberto Arteaga Stats & Scouting Report

AB	125
AVG	.192
OBP	.25
SLG	.224
HR	0

Full name Humberto Jose Arteaga
Born 01/23/1994 in Caracas, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 06/20/2019

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Signed for $1.1 million in 2010 as part of the Royals' push to fix a gaping hole at shortstop in the organization, Arteaga has impressed with a steady, heady approach since turning pro. Kansas City has other shortstop prospects who can provide more offense, as Arteaga lacks Adalberto Mondesi's pop, Orlando Calixte's strength in his swing, Jack Lopez's feel for the game and Ramon Torres' strike-zone judgment. But when he's standing in the dirt with a glove on his hand, Arteaga is better than any of them. He reads the ball of the bat well and has a decisive first step, which explains how he has plenty of range despite below-average speed. He also has soft hands and an average arm. At the plate, Arteaga is a line-drive hitter who tries to find the gaps. He won't ever offer much power of speed, so any offensive value he provides will come from getting on base. He'll play in low Class A at age 19 this year, likely splitting time at shortstop with Mondesi or Torres.
Facing a shortage of young shortstops in the system, the Royals added Orlando Calixte and Arteaga in 2010. Arteaga got a slightly higher bonus at $1.1 million, in part because he was two years younger. And unlike with Calixte, there's no question that Arteaga is a long-term shortstop. His defense is his best attribute, as he has the range, hands and feel for reading balls off the bat to make all the plays at shortstop. He had a fringy arm when he signed, but it's now solid thanks to his diligent work on a throwing program, His quick release and smooth actions help as well. Offensively, he's less gifted than Calixte. Arteaga has very little power and will need to get stronger just to avoid having the bat knocked from his hands at higher levels. He's a slightly below-average runner, so he'll need to become an average hitter to have any offensive value. Scouts from other organizations question whether he can do that. Arteaga's defense will carry him through the lower levels of the minors, but his bat will determine how far he goes. He has years of development ahead and will spend a second season in Rookie ball in 2012.
One of the few obvious weaknesses in baseball's deepest farm system is a lack of plus defenders at shortstop. The Royals have tried to address that, first by signing Yowill Espinal in 2008. Last year, they handed out sevenfigure bonuses to Arteaga ($1.1 million) and Orlando Calixte ($1 million). A smooth-fielding Venezuelan, Arteaga had one of the best gloves on the international market in 2010 and immediately became the best defensive infielder in Kansas City's system. He has soft hands and a strong arm, and he also has a knack for positioning himself well. At the plate, Arteaga has a simple direct swing path but is limited right now by his lack of power. Some scouts wonder about his ability to become an average hitter, but the Royals believe he'll improve as he adds strength. He's an average runner. Artega displays impressive maturity for his age, and one of his first purchases with his bonus was the Rosetta Stone language tutorials so he could start learning English. He doesn't figure to make his U.S. debut until 2012 at the earliest.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Royals signed Arteaga for $1.1 million in 2010, a bonus that some industry observers thought was exorbitant. But after a strong pro debut at age 17, he's winning over converts with his defense and savvy. He's definitely a defense first-player. Royals hitting coach Julio Bruno says Arteaga's hands are the best he ever has seen on a young infielder, and he has an average arm, enough to play shortstop. It's his instincts, ability to make adjustments and natural feel for the game that make him special. Arteaga's offense improved during the season, especially as he got stronger, and he batted .300/.356/.450 in August. He profiles as a situational hitter with little power and a tick below-average speed.