Should I be excited by A J Jimenez?

[Caper]

Small sample size, but he is really hammering the ball for the Fishercats. I don't think JPA can be depended on to be a catcher long term on this team. So I ask... What about Jimenez? A small sample size doesn't tell me much and last year he was hurt most of the year..... There are others that know prospects far better then I, so I want to know what the experts are saying. How is his defense? Could he be a potential September call up?

 

Thanks.

[dineke]

I heard he can catch a ball so I'm really excited.

[HERPDERP]

He's a good defender and was actually pretty good at stealing bases when he was younger. But now that's older and sort of built, I'm not sure if he can contribute on the basepaths.

 

Won't be star material, though.

[DuckDuckGose]

Small sample size, but he is really hammering the ball for the Fishercats. I don't think JPA can be depended on to be a catcher long term on this team. So I ask... What about Jimenez? A small sample size doesn't tell me much and last year he was hurt most of the year..... There are others that know prospects far better then I, so I want to know what the experts are saying. How is his defense? Could he be a potential September call up?

 

Thanks.

 

He will never be a star with the bat but, he has hit for contact, has some pop and is an elite defensive catching prospect. IMO he has a really good shot at being a league average C which, excites me. However, if you are only excited by stars his tool-set wont get you worked up.

[gruber92]

Strong defender in all aspects. Not as much power as JPA,more of a gap type hitter with 15-20 HR power. If his bat develops to be MLB passable, we've got our man. Should see him for an audition September 2014.

[Captain Adama]

Small sample size, but he is really hammering the ball for the Fishercats. I don't think JPA can be depended on to be a catcher long term on this team. So I ask... What about Jimenez? A small sample size doesn't tell me much and last year he was hurt most of the year..... There are others that know prospects far better then I, so I want to know what the experts are saying. How is his defense? Could he be a potential September call up?

 

Thanks.

 

A plus defender and unreal at throwing out basestealers. He's always able to hit for a high average and he doesn't K much. I remember in the past scouts said he'll develop home run power, but I'm really skeptical of that. Take him over Arencibia? Uh, yeah.

[The Cats Ass]

Something like Yadier Molina but with a little less power.

[Caper]

A plus defender and unreal at throwing out basestealers. He's always able to hit for a high average and he doesn't K much. I remember in the past scouts said he'll develop home run power, but I'm really skeptical of that. Take him over Arencibia? Uh, yeah.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to compare him to Travis D'Arnaud. I'm looking at their 21 yr old seasons where they both spent in Dunedin. TDA ops'd .726 in 2010 as a 21 year old and AJ ops'd .770 in 2011. Bother were one of the better catchers in the league (offensively) during their years there.

 

I would love it if he turned out better the TDA.

[Captain Adama]

Something like Yadier Molina but with a little less power.

 

Pre-2009 Yadier.

 

A.k.a valuable asset.

[The Cats Ass]

Pre-2009 Yadier.

 

A.k.a valuable asset.

 

Above average hitting catcher with good D.

[DuckDuckGose]

Russell Martin is a decent comp IMO. I can definitely see a career line of .260/.352/.400, .333 wOBA, 103 wRC+. I doubt Jimenez puts up multiple ~20HR seasons like Martin has though.

[kgm1]

Man I hope he lives up to all your comps . but I won't hold my breath .

 

here is BA,s take

Above average accurate arm ,CS 43 % ,Blocks and receives well , shows aptitude for handling a pitching staff , offense appears to be catching up to his defense . good bat speed and has improved his pitch recognition . Lacks power but can drive the ball to opposite field . Should be able to handle the bat well enough to become a big league regular .

 

LOL at 15 to 20 HRS Cat . Hope your right but More like 5 to 10

[Ehh]

Russell Martin is a decent comp IMO. I can definitely see a career line of .260/.352/.400, .333 wOBA, 103 wRC+. I doubt Jimenez puts up multiple ~20HR seasons like Martin has though.

 

I'll take that over JP anyday.

[theblujay]

So how is he different from d'Arnaud?

[fatcowxlive]

Small sample size, but he is really hammering the ball for the Fishercats. I don't think JPA can be depended on to be a catcher long term on this team. So I ask... What about Jimenez? A small sample size doesn't tell me much and last year he was hurt most of the year..... There are others that know prospects far better then I, so I want to know what the experts are saying. How is his defense? Could he be a potential September call up?

 

Thanks.

 

I haven't heard much about his bad but I do know this: Plus defender with a cannon for an arm. And the dude had TJS last year..... he has a f***ing rocket. He should be able to hit decently, but his D will keep him in the Majors. I can't wait until he's up here

[DuckDuckGose]

Man I hope he lives up to all your comps . but I won't hold my breath .

 

here is BA,s take

Above average accurate arm ,CS 43 % ,Blocks and receives well , shows aptitude for handling a pitching staff , offense appears to be catching up to his defense . good bat speed and has improved his pitch recognition . Lacks power but can drive the ball to opposite field . Should be able to handle the bat well enough to become a big league regular .

 

LOL at 15 to 20 HRS Cat . Hope your right but More like 5 to 10

 

Right now 5HR power, 10HR power would be a moderate projection, 15HR power would take a power surge significantly above the mean growth in his peer group and +20HR's is an absolute best case scenario.

[DuckDuckGose]

So how is he different from d'Arnaud?

 

Less athletic, less power, better defence, far less polished and lower ceiling.

[GD]

He's the reverse casual perception of Arenciba: iffy bat, but incredible defense. His bat seems to be improving, though, it's really nice right now.

[Caper]

Ok... so what everyone is telling me is that he is the next Buster Posey. Awesome.

[The Cats Ass]

Less athletic, less power, better defence, far less polished and lower ceiling.

 

He'll hit for a higher average then TDA.

[The Cats Ass]

TdA will get on base more, and slug and ops higher.

 

Just slightly more. AJ has better speed.

[Kelly Gruber]

When will he be bumped up to AAA, guys?

 

It makes sense to move him to AAA now that Blanco was released. That fiasco was the reason Thole was in AAA and holding down the starting job there. Not sure who our AAA starter is in the interim and too lazy to look it up.

 

Likely waiting to get comfortable with the return from injury for a few weeks first, but soon is my guess.

[frizzer1]

When will he be traded for an old pitcher?

[Slade]

We have JPA as our full time Major league catcher, you should definitely be excited.

[Caper]

No he doesn't have that type of power. But he will have a chance to hit for average.

 

[AdamGreenwood]

He's definitely a Blue Jay product given his career 5% walk rate.

 

"Walks are for pussies" - Blue Jay hitting coach mantra.

[TheHurl]

Zero pop, won't develop much pop either. Will hit some doubles as he's a line drive hitter. Will be interesting to see if the TJS changes his great CS rates. Hits righties and lefties pretty evenly. Average will have to carry him as he isn't going to walk enough to allow him to be a just a .250 hitter. Best comp I've heard is Ronny Paulino with better legs. I've heard Joe Girardi comps as well.

[Laika]

Yadier light / Russel Martin are like, 99th percentile projections, fellas.

 

Jimenez is a prospect, but even his slightly above average projections would fall into the backup catcher spectrum.

 

Maximizing him as an asset probably involves giving him a brief showcase and then trading him to the Angels.

 

I wouldn't get too excited. Unless I'm missing something and he has Sal Perez' hit tool, somehow. I guess that might be a remote possibility? I dunno.

[Sorrow]

Yep, I get the feeling he's a guy who will either be a solid starting catcher because of the D and a league average bat or a phenomenal back up with an OK bat and great D.

[John_Havok]

Yadier light / Russel Martin are like, 99th percentile projections, fellas.

 

Jimenez is a prospect, but even his slightly above average projections would fall into the backup catcher spectrum.

 

Maximizing him as an asset probably involves giving him a brief showcase and then trading him to the Angels.

 

I wouldn't get too excited. Unless I'm missing something and he has Sal Perez' hit tool, somehow. I guess that might be a remote possibility? I dunno.

 

This. I know the fact that JPA sucks at everything related to his position but that doesn't change what AJ will be. Neither of them walk, JPA has power that Jimenez doesn't, Jimenez has defense that JPA doesn't, Jimenez has a better hit tool, but still probably average hit tool at best in the majors