Alex Avila

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #6 prospect in 2010
  The Tigers drafted both of assistant GM Al Avila's sons in 2008, Alex in the fifth round and Alan in the 47th. They signed Alex, who was in his first year as a full-time catcher, and he reached Detroit last year in surprisingly quick fashion. Not only did he get the call in August when the Tigers needed an extra catcher and lefty bat, but he responded with five homers in 61 at-bats. Avila can catch up to good fastballs and drive the ball to all fields, projecting as a possible .280 hitter with 15 homers in the big leagues. He has improved tremendously in a short time as a catcher, and one scout who saw him in 2009 couldn't believe Avila was the same guy he saw in college. He's agile and has solid catch-and-throw skills, and he led the Double-A Eastern League by throwing out 44 percent of basestealers last season. He has tremendous makeup and instincts after growing up around the game. Avila has yet to prove he can handle lefthanders, hitting .234/.316/.360 against them in 175 minor league at-bats. As is the case with most catchers, he's a below-average runner. Avila leapfrogged Dusty Ryan on the organizational depth chart and profiles as solid regular. He'll likely split time with Gerald Laird in 2010 as he prepares to become Detroit's full-time catcher in 2011.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2009
  Alabama head coach Jim Wells made Avila a full-time catcher prior to the 2008 season, and his draft stock improved greatly as a result. Avila batted .343 with a team-leading 17 home runs, numbers that looked even better considering he was a lefthanded hitter playing a premium position. When Detroit took him in the fifth round of last year's draft, it was Avila's father--Tigers assistant GM Al--who called to tell him the news. Detroit also drafted Avila's other son, second baseman Alan in the 47th round, though he opted to attend Nova Southeastern (Fla.). Alex signed quickly for $169,000 and reported directly to low Class A, where he gained valuable experience behind the plate. He's a natural hitter who should contribute enough offensively to profile as an everyday catcher. He has below-average running speed but will get his share of doubles thanks to his line-drive stroke. A .305 average in his pro debut showed that he had little trouble adjusting to wood bats. Avila is a very intuitive player, thanks in part to his bloodlines, and his feel for the game should help him develop into a big league catcher. Though he needs to refine his receiving skills, he made strides in that department during instructional league. His throwing arm has a chance to be average, and the threw out 33 percent of basestealers in his debut. He handles a pitching staff well. Avila will open 2009 in high Class A.