Martin Peguero
| AB | 940 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .256 |
| OBP | .295 |
| SLG | .326 |
| HR | 4 |
- Full name Martin Esteilon Peguero
- Born 11/03/1993 in Bani, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Mariners initially signed Peguero for $2.9 million in December 2010, which would have been the largest bonus in that year's international class. They later reduced his bonus to $1.1 million for undisclosed reasons. Peguero's best tool is his bat. He's a polished hitter for his age, with quick hands and a knack for making hard contact. He shows good bat speed though he has a tendency to slow his bat down on offspeed pitches. That's a sign that he recognizes spin but also that he's afraid to strike out. With a wiry, projectable frame, he has room to add strength and projects as an above-average hitter with gap power. Peguero shows good actions at shortstop, though he's still learning the intricacies of the position and made 20 errors in 40 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer. His arm and range are fringy tools, making a position shift to second base likely. He's also a fringy runner but does show good instincts on the bases. After a solid pro debut, Peguero figures to spend 2012 at low Class A Clinton. -
Peguero worked with trainer Enrique Soto in the Dominican Republic and other teams expected him to sign with the Rangers after Texas signed Colombian catcher Jorge Alfaro (another Soto client) for $1.3 million, as well as Soto's son Lee, a 25-year-old third baseman released by the Blue Jays. But the Mariners remained interested-- and have one of Soto's sons (second baseman George) in their system as well. Seattle signed Peguero for $2.9 million in December, giving him the largest bonus in the 2010 international amateur class. The Mariners also landed Dominican outfielder Phillips Castillo earlier, giving them the top two amateur hitters on the international market last year. Peguero's bat is his carrying tool and he has shown the ability to hit in game situations against live pitching. He has advanced bat speed, good pitch recognition for his age and a sound stroke. He does have a late trigger to his swing, which can give him problems against good fastballs, especially ones on the inner half of the strike zone. But once he gets his hands going, he's able to whip his bat through the zone with excellent finish. He doesn't show the same raw pop that Castillo does, but Peguero drives balls into the gaps and should grow into more power down the road. He has a physical frame and almost certainly will have to move off shortstop, probably to second base because his arm isn't strong enough for third base. He's an average runner and some scouts believe he could become a solid defender in time. Because Peguero signed so late, he may spend 2011 in the Dominican Summer League before making his U.S. debut in 2012, though he's talented enough to accelerate that timetable.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Castillo and Phillips were the two best amateur hitters on the international market in 2010. The Mariners signed them both, inking Peguero for $2.9 million last December before later reducing his bonus to $1.1 million for undisclosed reasons. Peguero's advanced bat is his best tool, which he showed by making consistent contact and batting .279/.309/.382 as a 17-year old. He has quick hands, gap power and average speed. He has good instincts on the bases, as evidenced by his 17 steals in 22 attempts. The biggest question concerning Peguero's future is his defense. He made 21 errors in 40 games, many the result of poor footwork, and his arm and range are just average, which may not be enough to stick at shortstop. Some AZL observers were concerned that he'll end up a tweener who doesn't provide enough defense for a shortstop or enough offense for a second baseman.
