Hector Gimenez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #27 prospect in 2007
  When John Buck went to the Royals in the Carlos Beltran trade in June 2004, Gimenez was left as the best catcher in the Houston system. But J.R. Towles, Max Sapp and Lou Santangelo since have eclipsed him as prospects, and Humberto Quintero has made an inroads on the Astros' backup job. A switch-hitter, Gimenez is much better from the left side. He hits for average and has home run pop, but he doesn't stand out in either regard because his bat speed and plate discipline are fringy. Sanchez is more of a defensive player who has a strong arm and a quick release. He's aggressive at picking off runners and threw out 36 percent of Triple-A basestealers last year. He has made significant improvements with his English and his game-calling since signing as a 16-year-old Venezuela. He's a well-below-average runner. Gimenez has seen time at first base and even taken grounders at third in an attempt to increase his versatility. He did make his big league debut last September, but his chances of making much of a contribution in Houston have diminished. He seems to wear down mentally and physically over the course of a season, which doesn't help his case.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #23 prospect in 2006
  When the Astros included John Buck in the Carlos Beltran trade in June 2004, Gimenez became the best catcher in the system. He since has been passed by J.R. Towles and Lou Santangelo, and 2005 second-round pick Ralph Henriquez is in his rearview mirror. But after Gimenez' bat stagnated in 2003-04, he bounced back while repeating Double-A last year. For the first time in his pro career, his batting average didn't decline from the previous season. His offense won't be his strength, but Houston still thinks Gimenez might hit enough to warrant consideration as a regular. He's a switch-hitter with some pop. He lacks the bat speed or strike-zone control to hit for much of an average or slot in the upper half of a lineup. He offers little speed on the basepaths. Gimenez' work behind the plate is his ticket to the big leagues. He has a plus arm and a quick release to go with solid receiving skills and agility. He threw out 41 percent of basestealers last year and likes to try to pick off runners. His game-calling skills have improved along with his English, and he has learned not to let his offensive struggles affect his defense. Gimenez will head to Triple-A this year with an eye on supplanting Raul Chavez as Brad Ausmus' backup in 2007.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #14 prospect in 2005
  The inclusion of John Buck in the Carlos Beltran trade left Gimenez as Houston's best catching prospect by default. In order to hold off 2004 draftees Lou Santangelo and J.R. Towles, Gimenez will need to start showing more offensively. While he has some pop, he has little feel for the strike zone and his batting average has declined in each of his five pro seasons. His bat looked sluggish last year, and few Texas League observers had faith in his ability to hit. A switch-hitter, he consistently has performed better from his natural right side. Defensively, Gimenez has all the tools. He has a strong arm and a quick release, moves well behind the plate and has a durable frame. He's not afraid to try to pick off baserunners. As his English has improved, so has his ability to call a game, and he's doing a better job of not allowing bad at-bats to affect his work behind the plate. His speed, like that of most catchers, is below-average. Though Gimenez will have to repeat Double-A this year, the good news is that he's still just 22.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #6 prospect in 2004
  While the Astros system has slipped, not many organizations have a pair of potential starting catchers like John Buck and Gimenez. Managers have ranked Gimenez the best defensive catcher in the low Class A South Atlantic and high Class A Carolina leagues in his two domestic seasons. One CL manager said he tried to run on Salem just because he liked watching Gimenez' arm in action. Gimenez has a plus arm and ranked second in the CL by throwing out 39 percent of basestealers. He throws better and has more agility than Buck. He's similar offensively, producing more for power than for average. As a bonus, he's a switch-hitter. Still adapting to the United States, Gimenez doesn't have Buck's leadership skills. Gimenez needs to improve his English so he can better handle a pitching staff. He sometimes lets bad at-bats affect his defense. As a hitter, he has only a raw grasp of the strike zone. Like most catchers, he has below-average speed. Gimenez is two years behind Buck. The Astros will return him to high Class A in 2004 and promote him once he gets going offensively.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #8 prospect in 2003
  A Rookie-level Venezuelan League all-star in 2001, Gimenez was no less impressive during his U.S. debut last year. He went directly to low Class A, where managers rated him the best defensive catcher in the South Atlantic League, and hit well with the exception of a 5-for-40 slump in May. He missed four weeks with a groin injury. Some Astros officials think Gimenez is a better defensive catcher than John Buck, though that's not the consensus opinion. Gimenez, who threw out 32 percent of basestealers in 2002, has at least as much arm strength and a better release. He also receives and moves well. Gimenez' strong wrists and quick bat give him power from both sides of the plate. Gimenez still has a lot to learn about plate discipline. He tends to chase high pitches out of the strike zone. He has below-average speed but has sound instincts on the bases. Ticketed for high Class A in 2003, Gimenez will move one level at a time through the system. If he's as good as he looked last year and Buck also delivers on his promise, the Astros will have some very attractive options behind the plate.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #16 prospect in 2003
  John Buck is the best-known catching prospect in the Astros system, but they have a second quality backstop in Gimenez. Managers rated him the league's best defensive catcher, primarily for his strong arm and quick release. He finished second in the league by throwing out 39 percent of basestealers. The only holes in Gimenez' defensive game remain his ability to call a game and handle a staff at a higher level. He'll have to show most consistency with the bat, but he does have power potential from both sides of the plate. "He's definitely the best catching prospect in the league, " Massarelli said. "He can catch and throw probably at the major league level, but needs time to develop."

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  When John Buck went to the Royals in the Carlos Beltran trade in June 2004, Gimenez was left as the best catcher in the Houston system. But J.R. Towles, Max Sapp and Lou Santangelo since have eclipsed him as prospects, and Humberto Quintero has made an inroads on the Astros' backup job. A switch-hitter, Gimenez is much better from the left side. He hits for average and has home run pop, but he doesn't stand out in either regard because his bat speed and plate discipline are fringy. Sanchez is more of a defensive player who has a strong arm and a quick release. He's aggressive at picking off runners and threw out 36 percent of Triple-A basestealers last year. He has made significant improvements with his English and his game-calling since signing as a 16-year-old Venezuela. He's a well-below-average runner. Gimenez has seen time at first base and even taken grounders at third in an attempt to increase his versatility. He did make his big league debut last September, but his chances of making much of a contribution in Houston have diminished. He seems to wear down mentally and physically over the course of a season, which doesn't help his case.