Gabriel Noriega

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #24 prospect in 2010
  Noriega connected for his first four pro home runs in 2009, while improving his average by 73 points in a return to Rookie-level Pulaski. But his bat isn't what netted him an $800,000 bonus on the international market in 2007. An instinctual shortstop with the tools to play the position at the highest level, Noriega has an uncanny ability to slow the game down and make all the plays. He led all Appalachian League shortstops with a .960 fielding percentage last year. A smooth athlete but below-average runner, he features plus range and arm strength. Long-limbed and lanky, Noriega is a free swinger who sprays the ball to center and right field. A bat wrap limits the damage he inflicts to his pull side. Even the most optimistic power projection would peg him at well below-average, so he'll need to rein in the strikeouts and focus on situational hitting. Noriega will move up because of his fine defensive ability, but his low grades for power and speed limit his ceiling. He's ready for low Class A.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #19 prospect in 2009
  Noriega's $800,000 bonus was the fifth-highest in the 2007 international signing period, and the second-highest among Mariners signees behind Jharmidy DeJesus' $1 million. Noriega played his way to the Appalachian League in his pro debut, joining the Mets' Wilmer Flores to give the circuit two premier 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstops. Plus-plus defense is Noriega's ticket to the big leagues, and he's already the best shortstop in the system. Despite no better than average speed, he's a smooth fielder with plus instincts, anticipation and hands at shortstop. He completes his defensive package with a strong arm and excellent footwork. Less accomplished as a hitter, Noriega possesses good hand-eye coordination and stays inside the ball well, lending hope to the idea that he'll hit for average as he matures. He has big hands and broad shoulders, suggesting he may develop fringe-average power for the position. At the moment, his power tool rates much closer to a 20 than to a 45 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Noriega will need to develop his situational hitting ability and feel for the strike zone as he gains experience, but his glove alone will keep him in Seattle's plans.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #5 prospect in 2009
  An instinctual shortstop with the tools to play the position at the highest level, the 18-year-old Noriega impressed managers in his second season in the league. For such a young player, he has an uncanny ability to slow the game down and make all the plays at shortstop. A natural athlete and average runner, he features plus range, actions and arm strength. Signed out of Venezuela for $700,000 in 2007, Noriega was the best defender in the league. He didn't let bad at-bats affect his glovework and he led Appy shortstops with a .960 fielding percentage. An aggressive righthanded batter with a lean frame, Noriega connected for his first four pro home runs this season--including an opposite-field shot against the Twins--but he profiles as a bat-control, gap hitter in the big leagues. As such, he'll need to cut down his swing and focus on situational aspects of hitting. He did improve his average by 73 points in his second season with Pulaski.
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  Ranked American League #4 prospect in 2008
  Noriega has a chance to follow in the footsteps of Alcides Escobar and Elvis Andrus, the standard-bearers among Venezuelan shortstop prospects. Noriega, who signed for $800,000, has big hands and broad shoulders, giving him the chance to develop average power for the position. He stays inside the ball well and already shows an aptitude for hitting for average, as evidenced by his .308 performance in August. But it's on defense where Noriega shines. Despite just average speed, he's a smooth fielder with plus instincts, anticipation and hands at shortstop. A strong arm and excellent footwork should keep him there, regardless of his offensive development. If Noriega develops gap power, then his ceiling will eclipse that of Mario Martinez, his countryman and teammate on the left side of Pulaski's infield.

• December, 2009 Scouting Report
  Noriega connected for his first four pro home runs in 2009, while improving his average by 73 points in a return to Rookie-level Pulaski. But his bat isn't what netted him an $800,000 bonus on the international market in 2007. An instinctual shortstop with the tools to play the position at the highest level, Noriega has an uncanny ability to slow the game down and make all the plays. He led all Appalachian League shortstops with a .960 fielding percentage last year. A smooth athlete but below-average runner, he features plus range and arm strength. Long-limbed and lanky, Noriega is a free swinger who sprays the ball to center and right field. A bat wrap limits the damage he inflicts to his pull side. Even the most optimistic power projection would peg him at well below-average, so he'll need to rein in the strikeouts and focus on situational hitting. Noriega will move up because of his fine defensive ability, but his low grades for power and speed limit his ceiling. He's ready for low Class A.