There’s not much going on with the lockout still holding strong, but Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo, and Sam Dykstra had strong praise for a 2021 Braves International Signing — SS Ambioris Tavarez.
Here's each team's youngest ranked hitting prospect: https://t.co/E56jVoRbrO pic.twitter.com/5y9oZFlmsl
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 13, 2021
I’ve talked about Tavarez before, but frankly, we just don’t know too much about the 18-year-old Dominican. MLBPipeline has Tavarez ranked 25th overall in Atlanta’s system, and here’s what they had to say about him:
In their final year of sanctions on international spending as a result of signing violations, the Braves were given 50 percent of what would have been their allotted pool for the 2020-21 period, which didn’t begin until January 2021 because of COVID. They used nearly all of it to sign Tavarez and his offensive upside for $1.5 million right when the period opened on Jan. 15.
Tavarez’s carrying tool right now is his right-handed bat. Thanks to his strength and bat speed, the infielder has tremendous raw power, with the chance to have plus pop as he fills out his 6-foot-2 frame. He has the ability to drive the ball to all fields and he’ll have to continue to cut down on the moving parts in his swing to maximize his ability to make hard contact.
The other plus tool in Tavarez’s arsenal is his arm, with more than enough to play shortstop. The jury is still out whether he’ll be able to stay at the premium position long-term, though the Braves felt he was showing improvement during his first days in the organization. If he does move to third or a corner outfield spot, he has the chance to have the power-hitting profile that fits well in either spot.
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