Analyzing the Phillies' Latin prospects

May 04, 2011
  • Single-A Clearwater Threshers' catcher Sebastian Valle, 20, is from Los Mochis, Mexico.

Sal Agostinelli, the Phillies' international scouting supervisor, remains bullish about the future for the top Latin prospects in the system. Here's what he and Chuck LaMar, assistant general manager, scouting and player development, had to say about many of them:

SEBASTIAN VALLE

Position: Catcher

Age: 20

Height, weight: 6-1, 190

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Born: Los Mochis, San Aloa, Mexico

Currently: At Clearwater, Class A Florida State League

LaMar: "Over the last year, he has continued to improve in all phases. He's always had raw power, but he's concentrating on working on becoming a better hitter. And he's taking more pride in becoming better defensively, too. Right now, he's our top catching prospect."

Story continues below.

Agostinelli: "I think Valle is going to be an everyday player in the big leagues. He's got some power. He needs to polish up his defensive skills. He needs to shorten up on his swing. But he's a premium position guy who's got some power. He's going to be someone everyone has interest in."

LEANDRO CASTRO

Position: Outfielder

Age: 21

Height, weight: 5-11, 175

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Born: La Romana, Dominican Republic

Currently: At Clearwater, Class A Florida State League

LaMar: "He just hits everywhere he goes. He's extremely aggressive and loves to play the game. He has average footspeed and there may be players who are more talented in some areas. But the key is that he hits and he's one of those guys who will keep moving forward as long as he does at home plate."

CESAR HERNANDEZ

Position: Second base

Age: 20

Height, weight: 5-10, 160

Bats: Switch Throws: Right

Born: Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela

Currently: At Clearwater, Class A Florida State League

LaMar: "We protected him on the 40-man roster out of rookie ball, and that doesn't happen very often. He can run and his best tool is his bat. He skipped [Class A Lakewood and went to Clearwater] and we've seen enough to think he can make the adjustment even though he's out right now with a pulled groin."

Agostinelli: "This is a guy I really like even though he's struggling right now. He's been hurt. But he can really run and he's got a good bat. I just think he needs to mature a little bit. Last year in the New York-Penn League, he hit .325, he stole [32] bases. I really like him. He's a good athlete."

HAROLD GARCIA

Position: Second base

Age: 24

Height, weight: 5-11, 190

Bats: Switch Throws: Right

Born: Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela

Currently: On disabled list at Reading, Double A Eastern League

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