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Chicago Cubs Scouting Report on OF Eloy Jimenez

By Benjamin Chase

Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; East outfielder Eloy Jimenez of the Chicago Cubs during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; East outfielder Eloy Jimenez of the Chicago Cubs during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Base Running/Fielding

Speed (45) – Jimenez has above average speed at top speed, but he does take a number of steps to get there, so he’ll likely not ever be a guy who racks up a ton of stolen bases.

Defense (55) – Jimenez is not a guy with elite range in the outfield or a guy who runs the most perfect routes right now on balls, but he’s made tremendous strides in the latter in his pro career.

He’s also shown solid instincts off the bat on balls, which allows him to track balls very well with his average to above-average speed.

Arm (65) – Jimenez has a prototype right field profile with big power and a big arm. His raw arm strength is plus-plus, but he’s working to access that raw strength more consistently.

One thing I did note is that his accuracy has improved as a professional, something that I read reports on from his rookie ball time, stating that he struggled in that area, but I was impressed with how accurate his throws from the corner were in my viewing.

MLB Player Comp

As I reviewed Jimenez’s tape, I was reminded of one of my favorite anomaly players in the current game.

If I were to ask you who has led all of baseball in home runs the last three seasons combined by a dozen home runs over the next closest hitter, it might take a few guesses before you came up with Nelson Cruz.

Cruz came up as a more athletic player, but after injury issues really took away the speed he had in the minors, he’s settled into a very productive power hitter, one of 5 to top 20 home runs every season of the 2010s thus far, and the 4th most since 2010.

Cruz is able to use his impressive power to generate solid BABIP due to the impressive exit velocity that the ball has. That has led to him hitting .270+ the last three seasons, including .302 in 2015.

Cruz also came up with a solid reputation on defense with good athleticism to cover what were okay instincts, but also having a very good arm in the outfield. Jimenez is more instincts and less athleticism with the big arm, but a similar defensive profile as Cruz before his injury issues.

Next: Gleyber Torres Scouting Report

Jimenez got a taste of high-A in the playoffs in 2016, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he opens in high-A in 2017, but it also would not surprise me one bit if he finds himself in AA by the end of the season.

Jimenez was originally compared to Jorge Soler when he was signed, but he could truly be a guy that fulfills what everyone hoped that Soler would do in a Cubs uniform.

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