Stephen Alemais
| AB | 774 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .269 |
| OBP | .333 |
| SLG | .349 |
| HR | 5 |
- Full name Stephen Gavin Alemais
- Born 04/12/1995 in New York, NY
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Tulane
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Drafted in the 3rd round (105th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 (signed for $500,000).
View Draft Report
When the draft rolls around, teams always feel safe drafting college shortstops who can handle the job defensively. And that ensures that Alemais will go well, even though there are significant concerns about his hitting ability. Alemais has the defensive tools to stick at shortstop as a pro. He plays on FieldTurf at Tulane but his excellent hands, an above-average arm (he gets plus grades from some scouts) and average range (limited by his average speed but with a quick first step) translate well to grass fields. He glides around at shortstop with the kind of smooth, athletic actions scouts want to see. He's also a savvy basestealer. At the plate, Alemais projects as a bottom-of-the-order hitter whose bat may limit his chances to play everyday. He uses the entire field but takes big swings despite bottom of the scale power-he has three home runs in three seasons at Tulane. Alemais has hit over .300 in each of his past two seasons at Tulane, but it's a light .300 that scouts worry will not carry over to a wood bat against pro pitching.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Alemais, a native of the Bronx, was considered one of the best players in the history of Tulane. A first-team All-American Athletic Conference pick as a junior, he was celebrated for his spectacular plays at shortstop. He's a fluid athlete with outstanding range to both his right and his left, and a strong enough arm to play the position.
Scouting Report: With Cole Tucker manning shortstop at Double-A Altoona in 2018, Alemais spent most of the year playing second base. He was steady there as well, so that adds versatility to his list of tools as he makes his way up the ladder. Alemais has very little power, but he's a good bat handler and can occasionally drive the gaps for doubles. He doesn't strike out much, draws walks, and has better than average speed with 36 stolen bases in the past three seasons. Alemais can capably play second or short, which is a requirement for a major league utility infielder.
The Future: Whether he starts 2019 in Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis will likely determined by how the major league infield shakes out, but his defense should get him on a major league bench by 2020. -
Alemais' stock dropped in his junior year at Tulane despite the fact that his numbers were no different than they were his sophomore year. The former high school point guard's game has translated well to pro baseball, because he remains a very good defender and bat handler. Alemais may be the smoothest, most fluid shortstop in the Pirates' system, with good hands and excellent footwork. His range and arm are both solid to above-average and he has the ability to make the position look easy. His offensive game is less reliable, but he hit .317 in 30 games at high Class A Bradenton in 2017 after missing extensive time with a hand injury. His hit tool is average and his well below-aveage power is occasional at best, but he rarely strikes out. Alemais likely will have to start 2018 at Bradenton again, with Cole Tucker at Double-A Altoona and Kevin Newman at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he has a chance to move up if there's movement at the higher levels. -
Alemais was considered a potential first-round pick at the beginning of 2016, but his stock dropped after he hit .311/.368/.401 in 212 at-bats for Tulane. The Pirates selected him in the third round. While Alemais has a decent eye at the plate and the speed to steal bases, he lacks strength and was overpowered most of the time in his pro debut, which he spent mostly at short-season West Virginia. The Pirates, though, are confident he came become at least a competent offensive player. Alemais' calling card is defense. He has excellent range, hands, actions and instincts. Despite having shoulder surgery during his junior year at All-Hallows High in the Bronx, N.Y., his arm is above-average and he has a quick release. Alemais is extremely athletic and was a three-year starter in basketball in high school as a point guard. The Pirates pushed him to finish 2016 at low Class A West Virginia. Thus, despite his advanced defense, Alemais will head back to the South Atlantic League in 2017 with an eye on a potential early-season promotion to high Class A Bradenton if his offense picks up.
Draft Prospects
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When the draft rolls around, teams always feel safe drafting college shortstops who can handle the job defensively. And that ensures that Alemais will go well, even though there are significant concerns about his hitting ability. Alemais has the defensive tools to stick at shortstop as a pro. He plays on FieldTurf at Tulane but his excellent hands, an above-average arm (he gets plus grades from some scouts) and average range (limited by his average speed but with a quick first step) translate well to grass fields. He glides around at shortstop with the kind of smooth, athletic actions scouts want to see. He's also a savvy basestealer. At the plate, Alemais projects as a bottom-of-the-order hitter whose bat may limit his chances to play everyday. He uses the entire field but takes big swings despite bottom of the scale power-he has three home runs in three seasons at Tulane. Alemais has hit over .300 in each of his past two seasons at Tulane, but it's a light .300 that scouts worry will not carry over to a wood bat against pro pitching. -
Scouts had expected Alemais to be the first prep player drafted out of New York City this season, unless his Tulane commitment caused him to drop. Then Alemais injured his left shoulder on a swing during a playoff game last spring. While he tried to play through the injury on the showcase circuit, he wound up having surgery to repair a torn labrum. He also decided to transfer to the former Bucky Dent Academy in Florida, now called the Elev8 Sports Institute, with the team coached by ex-big leaguer Luis Alicea. Alemais has intrigued South Florida scouts, adding athleticism and talent to a class considered the worst in recent memory in the area. He flashes infield actions, soft hands and a plus arm that plays on the left side of the infield. Scouts were split on whether the 6-foot, 175-pound switch-hitter, whose father owns an indoor batting-cage complex in the Bronx, has enough bat. He's an above-average runner who could have the all-around tools to survive in the low minors while his bat develops.
