Frederick Bencosme

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Bencosme wasn’t high on the Orioles’ shortstop depth chart when he signed for $10,000 late in the 2020 international signing period, but he shot through the low minors with a breakout in 2022 and spent all of 2023 at High-A Aberdeen for his age-20 season. He held his own at the level thanks to his athleticism and advanced bat-to-ball skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Bencosme’s ability to make contact has never been in question--he swung and missed just 8.1% of the time in 2023. Because of that, he could be an average hitter, and improved swing decisions and walk rates could enhance that ceiling. Despite a projectable frame upon which he is working to add strength, Bencosme’s below-average exit speeds emphasize the need for him to hit the ball at line-drive angles to maximize his offensive production. Bencosme is a solid athlete who moves well on the infield but needs to refine his actions at shortstop. He has the arm to make all the throws required at the position. He could be average at second base.
  
  The Future: Age is on Bencosme’s side, and his profile is one that can develop into that of a second-division big leaguer as he climbs the minors and masters each level. He could end up back at Aberdeen to accomplish that to begin 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #29 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Bencosme signed for just $10,000 late in the 2020 signing period as an 18-year-old and ended up progressing faster than any of his classmates through the Orioles' system. He was so above the competition in extended spring training that he played in just two Florida Complex League games before he was promoted to Low-A Delmarva, where he had an .842 OPS with 27 strikeouts against 31 walks at age-19.
  
  Scouting Report: High-A Aberdeen proved more challenging in September, but he continued to show extremely advanced bat-to-ball skills and good strike zone control with a smooth left-handed swing that could make him an above-average hitter at the highest level. The power potential may not be very high, but he could add strength as he physically matures to maximize his line-drive stroke and add that dimension to his game. Continued focus on swing decisions and not settling for weak contact will help that as he progresses through the minors. Bencosme has the athleticism for shortstop but didn't always consistently make the expected plays in full-season ball.
  
  The Future: Bencosme's offensive capabilities, however, likely mean he'll have a long runway to continue developing at shortstop as at least a platoon role in the majors seems possible at this early stage of his career. He'll get a chance to apply his September lessons back in Aberdeen to start 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Bencosme signed for just $10,000 late in the 2020 signing period as an 18-year-old and ended up progressing faster than any of his classmates through the Orioles' system. He was so above the competition in extended spring training that he played in just two Florida Complex League games before he was promoted to Low-A Delmarva, where he had an .842 OPS with 27 strikeouts against 31 walks at age-19.
  
  Scouting Report: High-A Aberdeen proved more challenging in September, but he continued to show extremely advanced bat-to-ball skills and good strike zone control with a smooth left-handed swing that could make him an above-average hitter at the highest level. The power potential may not be very high, but he could add strength as he physically matures to maximize his line-drive stroke and add that dimension to his game. Continued focus on swing decisions and not settling for weak contact will help that as he progresses through the minors. Bencosme has the athleticism for shortstop but didn't always consistently make the expected plays in full-season ball.
  
  The Future: Bencosme's offensive capabilities, however, likely mean he'll have a long runway to continue developing at shortstop as at least a platoon role in the majors seems possible at this early stage of his career. He'll get a chance to apply his September lessons back in Aberdeen to start 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Bencosme signed for just $10,000 late in the 2020 signing period as an 18-year-old and ended up progressing faster than any of his classmates through the Orioles' system. He was so above the competition in extended spring training that he played in just two Florida Complex League games before he was promoted to Low-A Delmarva, where he had an .842 OPS with 27 strikeouts against 31 walks at age-19.
  
  Scouting Report: High-A Aberdeen proved more challenging in September, but he continued to show extremely advanced bat-to-ball skills and good strike zone control with a smooth left-handed swing that could make him an above-average hitter at the highest level. The power potential may not be very high, but he could add strength as he physically matures to maximize his line-drive stroke and add that dimension to his game. Continued focus on swing decisions and not settling for weak contact will help that as he progresses through the minors. Bencosme has the athleticism for shortstop but didn't always consistently make the expected plays in full-season ball.
  
  The Future: Bencosme's offensive capabilities, however, likely mean he'll have a long runway to continue developing at shortstop as at least a platoon role in the majors seems possible at this early stage of his career. He'll get a chance to apply his September lessons back in Aberdeen to start 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.