Julin Charles

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #30 prospect in 2003
  Grady Fuson calls Charles a "big dreams" guy, and he evoked comparisons to a former Rangers farmhand who also was raw and from the Dominican: Sammy Sosa. No one in the organization puts those kinds of expectations on Charles, however. They do compare his raw tools favorably to most any player in the organization, and are anxious to see what Charles can do in 2003, when he'll get his first taste of full-season ball. He has a good pro body that is still developing. He possesses the organization's strongest outfield arm, though he needs to be more accurate, and should develop into a good defensive right fielder. He gets good jumps on fly balls and is a plus runner. Offensively, he makes good use of his speed on the basepaths, stealing 35 bases in 40 tries over the last two seasons. A quick bat helps him crush fastballs and makes the ball jump off his bat, and he led Rookie-level Pulaski in homers in 2002. Charles' hitting approach, however, remains very unrefined. He struck out once every four at-bats and has little plate discipline, a commodity highly valued by the Rangers. Charles will be given time to hone the skills he needs to unleash his raw tools.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #16 prospect in 2002
  Like many young Dominican players, Charles is a free swinger at the plate. He improved his on-base percentage with Pulaski as the season progressed, but a couple of managers thought his game bordered on being out of control. Even so, no manager failed to notice Charles' raw tools. He possesses good speed and natural instincts, and has the arm strength as well as the accuracy to make the long throws from right field. His bat speed is also well above average, and scouts believe he have the power to hit 25-plus home runs annually as his body matures. "He has a chance to be a five-tool player if he puts everything together," Lopez said. "He's made lots of improvements this season, especially with his discipline at the plate. Charlie just needs to play the game with a little more patience. He has a chance to be a special player."

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Like many young Dominican players, Charles is a free swinger at the plate. He improved his on-base percentage with Pulaski as the season progressed, but a couple of managers thought his game bordered on being out of control. Even so, no manager failed to notice Charles' raw tools. He possesses good speed and natural instincts, and has the arm strength as well as the accuracy to make the long throws from right field. His bat speed is also well above average, and scouts believe he have the power to hit 25-plus home runs annually as his body matures. "He has a chance to be a five-tool player if he puts everything together," Lopez said. "He's made lots of improvements this season, especially with his discipline at the plate. Charlie just needs to play the game with a little more patience. He has a chance to be a special player."