Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report


	Rafael Bautista Born: 03/08/1993 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 194
	Primary Position: CF

Wiry frame; skinny legs and not much muscle; room for growth but would not be ideal for his style of game.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	07/20/2014
Dates Seen	6/14/14, 7/18/14 - 7/20/14
Affiliate	Hagerstown Suns (Low A, Nationals)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Video
2016	Medium	45	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Quick hands and wrists; generates plus bat speed; swing and hips take longer than I like to get moving; makes it seem as if bat speed is not plus; gets good extension with hands; occasionally drops his back shoulder and gets under pitches; small load; helps him with the longer swing; not much drive or torque; swing is more hands than bottom half; average at reading spin; will get caught looking at the plus offerings.
Power	30	Not a huge asset; has some pop generated from the bat speed; swing is not ideal for power; will run into 5-10 home runs just from barreling pitches; swing has mild lift; more of a gap-to-gap swing.
Baserunning/Speed	60	Clocked 4.10 and 4.12 home to first; does not get out of box great; has a great second gear that starts when his long legs get going; capable runner that can steal double digit bases; speed on basepath is heightened to due natural instincts; speed is a weapon and a main part of all phases in his game.
Glove	60	Natural in CF; displays terrific instincts and makes great routes; understands when to go full-force towards a ball or branch off and take the route easier to cut the ball off; plus range; second gear in speed allows him to catch up with harder hit balls; will stick in CF.
Arm	45	Slightly below-average; slight arc that fades at the end; fast arm but not muscular and does not get enough force to be an impact; can hold his own in CF; not a weapon.

Bautista is a speedy Dominican that displays a few impressive tools. While he is not a flashy player, the defense alone will likely move him through the minors enough to at least get a crack as a 4th OF. His games revolves around the plus speed.

He could end up piecing enough together at the plate for a few second-division type seasons, but is likely a fourth outfielder due to lack of a hit tool and impact bat. The speed is great, but is not good enough to impact his game at the plate.