Jose Cardona

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #21 prospect in 2017
  Cardona has flown under the radar for most of his career. He hit only one home run in his first four pro seasons, but as he got stronger and matured as a hitter he started to drive the ball with more authority in 2015. He built upon that with his best offensive season in 2016 at high Class A High Desert. Cardona's tools don't immediately grab attention--and some of what he does is unorthodox--but he finds ways to contribute in all phases of the game. His best attribute is his defense, which grades as above-average in center field. He's a slightly above-average runner with a nose for the ball, good range and a strong arm in the outfield. At the plate, Cardona is short to the ball and he makes frequent contact with a line-drive approach and the ability to use the whole field. He tracks pitches well, puts together quality at-bats and has the power to hit 10-15 home runs, though he's more of a doubles threat than a power hitter. The jump to Double-A Frisco in 2017 will be a key test for Cardona's prospect status in his first taste of the upper minors.