6. Kevin Maitan, SS
Birthdate: 2/12/2000 (16 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: None
Stats in 2016: Did not play in 2016
One of the hardest prospects to place, Maitan may have the most talent of a player that has come through the international market since Miguel Sano. Some say since Miguel Cabrera.
He’s not played a moment of organized baseball yet, but he’ll be on most every top 10 you see this offseason, and his placement will be very difficult for most everyone that is putting those lists together, let alone the placement on the top 100, as he will make nearly every top 100 list without ever playing along.
Maitan is a switch-hitter with big time power and very good contact skills. He was already considered a long shot to stick at shortstop before folks really saw him at fall instructs in Florida, where he was roughly 6’4″ and about 200 pounds… at 16.
Maitan does have all the requisite skills to profile as an above-average third baseman
Maitan does have all the requisite skills to profile as an above-average third baseman with an above-average arm, very good instincts off the bat, and the sort of power-profile bat that you prefer from a corner position.
It will be interesting to see how long the Braves leave Maitan at shortstop or if they move him to third base quickly to help expedite his path to the big leagues. Currently, the Braves system, as deep as it is, doesn’t really have anyone blocking him at third base as Austin Riley really does not profile as a third baseman in the major leagues.
Maitan’s placement within the system will be interesting as well as the Braves are a team with only one GCL team and DSL team and no short-season A-ball team, so their huge influx of talent from the international market this season will need to be placed. Maitan will likely end up in either Danville or in GCL.
Next: #5