Gilberto Jimenez

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

I couldn't find a thread on this kid. I really don't pay too much attention to the mL's other than the top tier talent that looks like they're heading to Boston within the year. Only 19 years old- just recently turned 19!
He's got a decent report on Sox Prospects: I was just looking at the farm and this kid jumped out at me as his line looks pretty impressive: .393OBP/.470SLG for a young CF'er. Anyone have anything else on him? I imagine he'll be at Greenville next season to start, possibly Salem by mid season.

 

[jon abbey]

He is Boston's 7th ranked prospect on mlb.com, here's their writeup:

"The Red Sox have high hopes for their 2017 international class, which included 66 signees and what looks like an absolute steal at $10,000 in Jimenez. Solely a right-handed hitter when he signed out of the Dominican Republic, he began switch-hitting after turning pro and fared better as a lefty (.350/.416/.478) than a righty (.204/.259/.204) while earning the organization's Latin program position player of the year award for his 2018 debut. He's both extremely raw and one of the best athletes in the system.

Jimenez's game is built around plus-plus speed, though he's still in the early stages of figuring out how to use it. He has the quickness to be a prolific basestealer yet was caught 14 times in 30 attempts last year. He needs to improve his reads and jumps on the bases and in center field, where he can cover a lot of ground and shows average to solid arm strength.

Jimenez has a slappy approach at the plate and is an extreme ground-ball hitter whose speed creates a lot of infield hits. He probably won't have much power, with 10 homers a year being a realistic ceiling, so he'll need to concentrate on getting on base. He already makes consistent contact from both sides of the plate but needs to draw more walks."

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=bos

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Off to a decent start this year in 81 PA, though he hasn't hit for any power and has been striking out a bunch of late. .325/.372/.438 on the season with 3bb/14k. He is 2/20 in his last 4 games with 0bb/8k. He does have a double and his only HR in those 4 games though.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

In a deep funk currently: Last 9: 43 PA, .167/.186/.286, .207 BAbip. 1bb/12k. Season line: .304/.349/.412 on a .361 BAbip with 4bb/18 k in 109 PA.

He turns 21 in a month. I hope he adds some power to his game because he is a tremendous athlete.

 

[billy ashley]

I don't see it listed here, but there is some great video out there of Jimenez' swings from both sides of the plate. Basically, on one side he looks like a guy who could hit for power. From the other, he's still doing that slashy - ground ball oriented swing.

He's relatively new to switch hitting. I wonder how long he'll have two separate approaches and whether or not it'll make sense to just move to the one side.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Gilberto is hitting .305/.338/.399 in 228 PA with 6bb/47k on a .377 BAbip,

Also been totally dreadful vs LHP but SSS. 46 PA, .182/.174/.273, 0bb/18k. Yes, his OBP is lower than his batting average. That is not a typo.

On the bright side, he's been on a tear the last 4 games: 20 PA, .471/.500/.765 with his 2nd HR of the season.

If the Sox decide to make a trade and have to give up one of their top prospects, I hope it's Gilberto. The only thing that gives me pause is seeing Duran's power surge. In some ways, Gilberto reminds me of Duran. They both got by at the lower levels offensively on their speed. When Gilberto climbs up the ladder, he won't be able to rely on his speed as much to beat out base hits. The same thing happened to Jarren. They also both got by in CF on speed rather than feel. While Gilberto isn't huge, he also isn't small. It's not hard to envision him developing some power but he has shown little to none to date. Same could have been said about Jarren too but I have my doubts lightning is going to strike twice. Jarren did walk a bit more though.

Also worth noting Gilberto is a year younger at the level than Jarren was. I get his appeal. He's an amazing athlete but I'd bet against him.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Gilberto is hitting .305/.338/.399 in 228 PA with 6bb/47k on a .377 BAbip,

Also been totally dreadful vs LHP but SSS. 46 PA, .182/.174/.273, 0bb/18k. Yes, his OBP is lower than his batting average. That is not a typo.

On the bright side, he's been on a tear the last 4 games: 20 PA, .471/.500/.765 with his 2nd HR of the season.

If the Sox decide to make a trade and have to give up one of their top prospects, I hope it's Gilberto. The only thing that gives me pause is seeing Duran's power surge. In some ways, Gilberto reminds me of Duran. They both got by at the lower levels offensively on their speed. When Gilberto climbs up the ladder, he won't be able to rely on his speed as much to beat out base hits. The same thing happened to Jarren. They also both got by in CF on speed rather than feel. While Gilberto isn't huge, he also isn't small. It's not hard to envision him developing some power but he has shown little to none to date. Same could have been said about Jarren too but I have my doubts lightning is going to strike twice. Jarren did walk a bit more though.

Also worth noting Gilberto is a year younger at the level than Jarren was. I get his appeal. He's an amazing athlete but I'd bet against him.

I'm actually completely the opposite. I think Gilberto will be the eventually better pro and he's still adjusting. He's much younger than Duran and already has a much higher defensive ceiling than Duran. Duran profiles at best as a corner OF (I can't comment at all on his arm strength) defensively which means his offensive skills might not stand up there at the ML level. Jimenez offensive potential might not match Duran's but his defensive skills will put his combined floor, IMO, at much higher than JBJ's. I can see him with around a consistent.270/.340/.420 line and elite defensive. Great bottom of the order hitter.