The 17 year old 2017 international signing is off to a burning start, featured in the MLB prospect pipeline this week:
Here's the MLB writeup on him:
Really nice to see something good coming out of that IFA class, especially after the tragic loss of Daniel Flores (no relation).SS: Antoni Flores, DSL Red Sox 2 (Rookie)
(Red Sox No. 17 prospect)
.476/.577/.762, 6 G, 21 AB, 6 R, 10 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB, 5 SO
Signed for $1.4 million out of Venezuela last summer, Flores is living up to the reports that he had a nice right-handed swing and an advanced approach. After going 0-for-4 in his first pro game, he has reached base safely in each of his 11 contests since and is hitting .378/.472/.556 with more walks (eight) than strikeouts (sixth) in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He had the best game of his young career on Sunday, going 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and three driven in.
Here's the MLB writeup on him:
Team: DSL Red Sox2 (ROK) ETA: 2022 Position: SSAge: 17 DOB: 10/14/2000 Bats: R Throws: RHeight: 6' 1" Weight: 190 lb. Signed: July 2, 2017 - BOS
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
One of three Venezuelans to receive seven-figure signing bonuses from the Red Sox in 2017, Flores turned pro for $1.4 million. He's no relation to Daniel Flores, who died of cancer four months after signing for $3.1 million. His tools are fairly similar to those of C.J. Chatham's, Boston's top shortstop prospect, though Flores is much further away from the big leagues.
Though Flores receives more praise for his instincts than his tools, he has the ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. He has good actions at shortstop, where his savvy allows him to cover more ground than his fringy speed would suggest. He has the arm strength for the position, though he needs to be mindful not to drop his arm slot and lose accuracy on his throws.
With a nice right-handed swing and signs of an advanced approach, Flores should hit for average. He's not very physical but has some loft in his stroke and should develop some gap power once he gets stronger. He won't be a basestealer, but runs the bases well.