Jose Pujols

Name: Jose Pujols

Position: OF
Bats: RH
Throws: RH
DOB: September 29, 1995
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 185

Drafted: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2012, $540,000 signing bonus

Synopsis: Pujols was Baseball America’s #20 international free agent in the 2012 July 2 class. Pujols is already big with a frame that has room to put on a ton of muscle as he matures. His raw power and bat speed are what makes him intriguing, his power has drawn comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton and he won the DPL home run derby at age 15. The problem is that he has yet to make consistent game contact and most of his damage has been done during batting practice and workouts. Defensively Pujols is destined for an outfield corner where he should be adequate defensively but not spectacular. Overall he has drawn comparisons to former Phillies signee Domingo Santana.

Hit: Coming into 2013 Pujols had an exaggerated uppercut to his swing that prevented him from getting to many pitches. Pujols’s swing is now more line drive with loft and it is allowing him to make more solid contact. Pujols has incredible bat speed and he should be able to make contact with anything in the zone. However, Pujols’s approach is still a work in progress and he will hack away early in the count at any pitch. He will back off and work pitchers. Overall the hit tool is questionable right now but if he can clean up the approach it could be a real asset. 30/50

Power: Pujols’s calling card is monster raw power generated from that incredible bat speed. Right now he is capable of monster tape measure shots to all fields. He still has room to had more muscle to the frame and he could have near elite power. 60/70+

Arm: Right now Pujols’s arm plays in right field but shows more average with occasional plus throws. Just like the power there is room for growth as he fills out and the arm will likely be closer to plus when he is fully mature. 50/60

Defense: Pujols is really raw on defense and the route running leaves a lot to be desired. He has the physical tools to be an average defender in right but it is going to take a good amount of reps out there to get him comfortable. 30/50

Speed: Pujols right now is slow but he also isn’t a burner. The speed is right about average, but he is likely to slow up a step or two as he gets thicker. 50/45

Profile: There is a ton of risk with Pujols, the hit tool and approach could doom his career early, but if he puts it together it is a monster profile. The bat speed is there for him to be special at the plate and the raw power will give him plenty of power. More than likely if he makes the majors it will be more an average regular profile with plenty of homeruns and strikeouts, but there is always hope that it could be better.

Video:

DPL scouting video (includes some batting practice with some fielding)