9. Jairo Beras, OF
Birthdate: 12/25/94 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A
Stats in 2016: .262/.306/.511, 22 HR, 5 SB
The Beras signing saga was one of those things that was a big deal in 2012 when it originally happened, but few remember now how the Rangers and other clubs were up in arms about a different birthday presented by Beras that allowed the Rangers to circumvent the upcoming CBA rules and give him a big $4.5M bonus.
Since signing, he’s really struggled to back up that big bonus until 2016, when he was able to smack 54 extra base hits in the Cal League. Granted, that’s a hitter’s league, but that’s definitely a positive sign.
(Beras) has your traditional big power, big arm right field profile
Beras looks the part of a big bopper at 6’6. Though he’s listed at 195, I’d wager he’s likely more in the 225 range, but with good build to him.
He has your traditional big power, big arm right field profile. He has a plus power bat that he can generate a ton of leverage on in his swing, but also has found issues in controlling the strike zone.
He’s got solid top-end speed, but he takes a bit to get to that speed, which means he likely won’t ever be a big stolen base guy, but he should flash solid speed tracking down balls in the outfield and going from first to third on the bases.
His strike zone recognition is still very raw, which is a hallmark of the Rangers organization at the lower levels, but if he can polish that, he has the raw power to be a big time masher.
The Rangers will likely start Beras in AA in 2017.
Next: #8