Jose Vinicio
| AB | 2223 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .245 |
| OBP | .280 |
| SLG | .332 |
| HR | 16 |
- Full name Jose Vinicio
- Born 07/10/1993 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 150 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Red Sox invested heavily in international shortstops in 2009, signing Vinicio for $1.95 million in July and Jose Iglesias for $8.25 million two months later. After Iglesias, Vinicio is the top defensive shortstop in the system and he shows more promise at the plate. He has the actions, quickness, range, hands and arm strength to make all the plays at shortstop, though at times he can get too flashy for his own good. He made 25 errors in 72 games last year, though his .925 fielding percentage represented a career high. Vinicio has quick hands and some life in his bat, though he's frail and won't ever hit for power. If he fills out and develops more patience, he could be a contact hitter who produces solid batting averages and decent on-base percentages. He has plus speed but still is learning the nuances of basestealing. Added strength also would help him cope with the grind of the long season, as assorted nicks and bruises limited him to 72 games last season. With 2012 first-rounder Deven Marrero ticketed for high Class A, Vinicio figures to return to Greenville to begin 2013. -
Vinicio celebrated his 16th birthday by signing with the Red Sox for $1.95 million, at the time a franchise record for a foreign amateur. Two months later, Jose Iglesias upped the mark to $6.25 million, part of his $8.25 million major league contract. They're similar players, defensive whizzes at shortstop who will have to get stronger to hit effectively. Boston sent Vinicio straight to Rookie-level Gulf Coast League for his 2010 pro debut, and he was still the GCL's third-youngest regular when he repeated the league last summer. His actions, range, hands and arm all rate as plus tools for a shortstop. His biggest need defensively is to settle down, as he gets too flashy at times and made 29 errors in 50 games in 2011. Vinicio has yet to put on much weight, still carrying 150 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame. He does have quick hands and some life in his bat, and he has an all-fields approach, so he should be able to hit for average once he matures physically and tightens his strike zone. He's an above-average runner who's still learning to use his speed on the bases, and he led the GCL by getting caught 10 times in 29 steal attempts. Provided that he can add strength, Vinicio looks like a better bet to provide some offense than Iglesias. At the same time, he's five levels lower in the system. Still just 18, Vinicio will probably spend 2012 in extended spring training and Lowell. -
Vinicio celebrated his 16th birthday last July by signing with the Red Sox for $1.95 million. That set a franchise record for the largest bonus ever given to a foreign amateur, though Cuban defector Jose Iglesias shattered it when he got $6.25 million as part of an $8.25 million big league contract two months later. The top pure shortstop from the 2009 international signing class, Vinicio has terrific actions and hands, good range and a strong arm. A switch-hitter, he's better from the right side of the plate. Though he's skinny, he has a quick bat and can drive the ball, so he could grow into some power once he gets stronger. He has slightly above-average speed, and that too could improve as he matures physically. Vinicio will need plenty of time to develop his body and his skills, and Boston will give it to him. He'll make his pro debut in either the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League or the Gulf Coast League in June.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Vinicio was the Red Sox's big-ticket international signing in 2009, landing a $2 million bonus. He was expected to move slowly, because he was one of the youngest players in his signing class and had an extremely light frame, and that was the case. He repeated the GCL and stood out more at the plate than he did in 2010. Vinicio is an instinctive, energetic player with smooth actions and good hand-eye coordination. He has stood out since his amateur days for his defensive potential, showing plus speed and range, soft hands and a strong arm at shortstop. He did commit 29 errors in 50 games this year, though scouts said many of the miscues came when he tried to get too flashy. His slight build hinders him at the plate, though Vinicio has bat speed, bunts well and hits to all fields. He would benefit from a more patient approach, as he has a tendency to get himself out early in counts.
