Pedro Baez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #14 prospect in 2015
  Baez signed with the Dodgers in 2007 for $200,000, which was one of the most significant bonuses the organization handed out to a Latin American amateur during a time when penny-pinching was the norm in that arena. After six seasons as a third baseman, he shifted to the mound in 2013 and took to it surprisingly quickly. Baez reached the majors in August 2014 and became one of the club's most reliable relievers down the stretch. His velocity improved from 2013, as he threw 93-97 mph and touched 100 in 2014. He pitches heavily off his fastball, throwing consistent strikes at a remarkable rate for someone with his inexperience, and he moves the ball all around to all quadrants of the strike zone. Baez throws a fringy 86-88 mph slider with short break, and an occasional changeup when he faces a lefty, but he lacks a true swing-and-miss secondary pitch. Coming up with one would help his strikeout rate, but if not he still has the stuff to be a steady middle reliever, one who should open 2015 in the big league bullpen.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #19 prospect in 2014
  When it came to investing in Latin American amateurs, the Dodgers were the most frugal organizations in baseball for years. One exception came in 2007, when they signed Baez for $200,000 just before he turned 19. At the time, Baez was a third baseman who stood out for his plus raw power and plus arm, but he was never able to put things together at the plate, as he lacked natural hitting rhythm and succumbed to breaking pitches. After Baez stalled at Double-A Chattanooga as a hitter, the Dodgers moved him to the mound, where he made a surprisingly quick transition in 2013, his first season as a pitcher. Baez has a power arm and throws 91-96 mph with good sink. He started the year with little in the way of an offspeed pitch, but he developed a short, cutter-like slider in the mid-80s to give hitters another look, though he doesn't have a true out-pitch. Baez has a thick frame, short arm action and is understandably raw in terms of his command and keeping his delivery in sync. The Dodgers already have one hitter-turned-reliever success story in Kenley Jansen. Baez doesn't miss as many bats as Jansen did, but he could get to the big leagues as a middle reliever. The Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster in November to make sure nobody else could take him in the Rule 5 draft.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #22 prospect in 2011
  Baez has been selected for the last two Futures Games, and he looked to be picking up steam in 2009 after a strong first half in high Class A, but his progress has slowed since. He injured his knee and required surgery shortly after returning from the 2009 Futures Game, ending his season. Returning to Inland Empire last season, he was never able to get his bat going and was bothered by the effects of dislocating his left shoulder early in the season. From a tools standpoint, Baez's upside remains impressive. He has plus raw power, but getting to it in games has been a problem. He is too pull-conscious, and his lack of pitch recognition holds him back. He expands his strike zone against breaking pitches, swinging at too many balls he can't drive. Baez can be an above-average defender at the hot corner. He's a below-average runner, but his hands and arm strength are both pluses. Problems arise because his focus can waver. If Baez can develop a consistent approach both at the plate and on defense, he has the tools to be a big league third baseman. He got his feet wet in Double-A at the end of last season and should be back there in 2011.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #15 prospect in 2010
  The first time Dodgers assistant GM for scouting Logan White saw Baez work out, he was reminded of Adrian Beltre. There's more than a little irony to that because the Dodgers have been looking for a long-term solution at third base since Beltre bolted as a free agent after the 2004 season. The path has been cleared for Baez to eventually be that guy, as third-base prospect Josh Bell was sent to Baltimore last July in a trade for George Sherrill. After failing to stick in low Class A in 2008, Baez handled high Class A pitching last season and earned a spot in the Futures Game. He injured his knee at the end of July, however, and required season-ending surgery. Baez has big-time power potential. He can crush the best fastballs and the ball jumps off his bat. However, he lacks strike-zone discipline and pitchers can get him to chase offspeed pitches far off the plate. Baez has the tools to be an above-average defensive third baseman, though he lacks consistency. He has a strong arm, good range and outstanding body control. His speed is fringe average and he may lose a step after his surgery. Baez will begin the year in Double-A and be in position to take over in Los Angeles when Casey Blake's contract expires at the end of the 2011 season.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #13 prospect in 2009
  The Dodgers had hoped the toolsy Baez could hold his own in the low Class A at 20 years old and in his first full pro season. But he started out 2-for-28 and the Dodgers decided the league was too fast for Baez, sending him down in mid-June. He wound up leading Ogden in homers and RBIs after being sent down, and ranked as the Rookie-level Pioneer League's No. 11 prospect. Lanky but strong, Baez has as many tools as anyone in the system, with power and a plus arm (clocked at 95 mph across the diamond), average hands and the ability to make dazzling plays at third, though his footwork can get sloppy. He can get pull-happy and out of rhythm at the plate at times, getting himself out on breaking balls, and the power will play in the majors if he learns to use the middle of the field. Having skipped straight to the U.S. after signing, he has to learn to handle the competition and daily grind; he tended to get down on himself during his struggles at Great Lakes and showed inconsistent focus. If third base doesn't work out, he can always try pitching, but the Dodgers intend to be patient with a hitter who shows such power. Baez will give low Class A another try in 2009.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #10 prospect in 2008
  The Dodgers signed Baez for $200,000 just before his 19th birthday and allowed him to make his pro debut in the United States. In August, he slugged a three-run home run off a rehabbing Pedro Martinez. Baez has four tools that could grade as future pluses, with his power and defense projecting as well-above-average for some scouts. He has a fluid swing with good bat speed and the early signs of barrel awareness. He can launch towering blasts when he squares up pitches. He's a confident, adroit defender with good actions and body control. He has good range to both sides. Los Angeles has clocked his throws across the diamond up to 94 mph. Baez' plate discipline and pitch recognition are in need of improvement. He tends to muscle up during his swing and get pull-oriented rather than letting his hands do the work. He's a below-average runner. Baez will likely spend 2008 in low Class A at age 20.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #11 prospect in 2008
  The Dodgers pushed Baez to low Class A to start the season, but after he hit .178/.244/.259, they sent him down to Ogden to regroup. While he continued to struggle with breaking balls and plate discipline, he was one of the more dangerous power hitters in the league. "I've seen him hit some balls 500 feet," Diaz said. "He's got cartoon-shot power." Baez has a strong, durable frame with a diverse set of above-average tools. He has plus power that could grade out even higher in the future, but his approach doesn't always allow his pop to translate in game situations. At times he lacks rhythm at the plate, which causes him to start chasing pitches. At third base, Baez shows soft hands and a plus arm. His feet get tangled up at times, which leads to some erratic throws, but he generally moves well around the bag. He's a below-average runner.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #6 prospect in 2007
  A rehabbing Pedro Martinez met Baez' excellent raw power up close and personal when he served up a two-out, three-run homer to him in August. Baez has a smooth, strong stroke with outstanding leverage that produces plus power to all fields. He also established himself as the top defensive third baseman in the GCL. Signed for $200,000 out of the Dominican Republic just before his 19th birthday in March, Baez impressed Dodgers brass so much that they immediately brought him over for the last month of spring training. He handles balls on the inner half of the plate well, but he struggles mightily with soft breaking balls away and pulls off badly. He'll need to tighten his strike zone to truly unlock his full potential. Baez has exceptional tools defensively, where his lateral movement allows him to get to balls on either side and he also charges balls well. He has one of the strongest infield arms in the Los Angeles system.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Baez has been selected for the last two Futures Games, and he looked to be picking up steam in 2009 after a strong first half in high Class A, but his progress has slowed since. He injured his knee and required surgery shortly after returning from the 2009 Futures Game, ending his season. Returning to Inland Empire last season, he was never able to get his bat going and was bothered by the effects of dislocating his left shoulder early in the season. From a tools standpoint, Baez's upside remains impressive. He has plus raw power, but getting to it in games has been a problem. He is too pull-conscious, and his lack of pitch recognition holds him back. He expands his strike zone against breaking pitches, swinging at too many balls he can't drive. Baez can be an above-average defender at the hot corner. He's a below-average runner, but his hands and arm strength are both pluses. Problems arise because his focus can waver. If Baez can develop a consistent approach both at the plate and on defense, he has the tools to be a big league third baseman. He got his feet wet in Double-A at the end of last season and should be back there in 2011.