J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays

June 7, 2007
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2007 MLB Draft B-T: R-R
Ht: 6-1. Wt.: 195.
Birthdate: 1/5/1986.
School: Tennessee
Class: Jr.
Previously Drafted: Mariners, 17th round, 2004.


THROUGH THE YEARS IN BASEBALL AMERICA
2007
• Arencibia ranks fourth among prospects in Tennessee.
• Arencibia struggled in his return to the lineup after being out early in the year with a strained back muscle.
• Prior to his injury, Arencebia had yet to miss a collegiate game, playing in 130 consecutive games.
• In our midseason update, Arencibia ranked No. 22 on our list of the College Top 50 Prospects.
• Arencibia was tenth in our Early Draft Preview: College Top 100 Prospects.
• Arencibia entered the year as a preseason second-team All-American.
2006
• In our sneak peak at the 2007 draft, Arencibia ranked No. 20 on our list of prospects.
• After leading Team USA with nine home runs in 121 at-bats, we named Arencebia the team's seventh-best prospect.
• Arencibia was a preseason first-team All-American and ranked sixth on our list of Top 50 Sophomores.
• Arencebia broke Todd Helton's school record for home runs by a freshman in 2005.
2005
• After hitting .404/.407/.579 for Team USA, Arencebia made our College Summer All-America team.

SCOUTING REPORT
Shortly after Julio Borbon broke his ankle in the preseason, Tennessee's next best hitter, Arencibia, pulled a muscle in his back and was forced out of the lineup until mid-March. He ranked with Borbon among USA Baseball's college national team's top prospects last summer after leading the team with nine home runs in 121 at-bats. Power has long been his calling card. The Miami native tied Alex Rodriguez' Westminster Christian High career record for home runs with 17 and was drafted by the Mariners in the 17th round in 2004. A potential first-rounder entering the season, Arencibia struggled offensively and behind the plate upon returning to the lineup. He's an aggressive hitter with plus power to all fields. His swing gets long and he tends to have too much of an uppercut stroke. The verdict is out on whether he'll stay behind the plate as a pro. His receiving skills are rudimentary at best, and his footwork prevents him from getting off better throws despite solid-average to plus arm strength. His stock has slipped, but he won't make it out of the second round.

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