Axiel Plaz Stats & Scouting Report

AB	141
AVG	.340
OBP	.405
SLG	.582
HR	8

Full name Axiel Naim Plaz
Born 08/12/2005 in San Felix, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Plaz signed out of Venezuela in 2022 and reached Low-A Bradenton two years later, where he slugged 15 homers, then returned to the level in 2025, where he hit for similar power and better average with a .262/.348/.450 line and nine homers through 55 games. Injuries have cut into his development and wiped out most of the second half of his 2025 season. Plaz has played just 150 games over the last two seasons, briefly resurfacing with High-A Greensboro at the end of the year.

Scouting Report: Plaz is a squat 5-foot-11, 243 pounds, and his double-plus raw power rivals only Konnor Griffin among teenagers in Pittsburgh’s system. He punishes mistakes—especially fastballs—to all fields when he gets his hands extended. Plaz’s overall offensive approach, though, is fairly crude. He was more aggressive in 2025, swinging over half the time, and chased out of the zone at nearly a 36% rate. He also infrequently pulls his best contact from his flatter barrel path. Plaz also has a cannon of an arm behind the plate and the Pirates felt his game-calling took a step early in the season after he hired a tutor in the offseason to improve his English, but his receiving and blocking remain raw.

The Future: There are a lot of caveats with Plaz’s profile on both sides of the ball. Still, teenage catchers rarely have his power potential. He should start 2026 with High-A Greensboro where his power to right-center could produce impressive home run totals if he can stay healthy.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme.

Track Record: The Pirates signed Plaz out of Venezuela in 2022. Some within the organization ticketed him as a potential breakout after he was a Dominican Summer League all-star and instructional league standout that year. Injuries derailed his follow-up campaign, but Plaz bounced back in 2024 with Low-A Bradenton. The 18-year-old hit .207/.303/.438 with the sixth-most homers in the Florida State League (15) while striking out 29.2% of the time in 76 games.

Scouting Report: Despite his age, Plaz’s 106.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity was one of the top marks among all Pirates minor leaguers in 2024. The thickly-built backstop has plus impact potential, already shows an ability to lift and pull his best contact and performed well against velocity. Plaz is a free swinger, though, and will need to considerably tighten his approach and swing decisions as he climbs the ladder. The Pirates worked with Plaz in Bradenton on improving his bat path to try to get his swing more on plane and curb some of the swing-and-miss. His receiving also needs work behind the plate, where he has an above-average throwing arm and threw out 25% of potential basestealers in Low-A.

The Future: Plaz’s unique power stands out. He has a path to the majors as a powerful backup catcher who likely won’t hit for high averages if his approach and defense can catch up.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pittsburgh signed the Venezuela native in January 2022 on the strength of his intriguing combination of defensive ability and power potential. He then hit .382/.500/.706 with three homers over 32 games as a 16-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, earning an all-star nod, and was one of the Pirates' most impressive hitters at their fall instructional camp.

Scouting Report: Plaz flashed power potential as an amateur and has already added more strength, especially to his lower half, with room to add more to his frame. He times up pitchers with a toe tap and is capable of driving the ball to center field when he connects, already showing feel for the barrel, pitch recognition and strike-zone awareness. Amateur evaluators noted Plaz may battle some swing-and-miss as he grows into his power, but he kept his strikeouts in check in his first taste of the DSL (18.6% strikeout rate). He also has a chance to stick behind the plate due to solid receiving skills for his age and an above-average arm, although his footwork remains a work in progress.

The Future: Plaz will be just 17 years old on Opening Day and has a myriad of potential outcomes, but he caught the Pirates' attention. There are indicators that suggest a potential for both impact defense and power at a premium position.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pittsburgh signed the Venezuela native in January 2022 on the strength of his intriguing combination of defensive ability and power potential. He then hit .382/.500/.706 with three homers over 32 games as a 16-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, earning an all-star nod, and was one of the Pirates' most impressive hitters at their fall instructional camp.

Scouting Report: Plaz flashed power potential as an amateur and has already added more strength, especially to his lower half, with room to add more to his frame. He times up pitchers with a toe tap and is capable of driving the ball to center field when he connects, already showing feel for the barrel, pitch recognition and strike-zone awareness. Amateur evaluators noted Plaz may battle some swing-and-miss as he grows into his power, but he kept his strikeouts in check in his first taste of the DSL (18.6% strikeout rate). He also has a chance to stick behind the plate due to solid receiving skills for his age and an above-average arm, although his footwork remains a work in progress.

The Future: Plaz will be just 17 years old on Opening Day and has a myriad of potential outcomes, but he caught the Pirates' attention. There are indicators that suggest a potential for both impact defense and power at a premium position.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Pittsburgh signed the Venezuela native in January 2022 on the strength of his intriguing combination of defensive ability and power potential. He then hit .382/.500/.706 with three homers over 32 games as a 16-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, earning an all-star nod, and was one of the Pirates' most impressive hitters at their fall instructional camp.

Scouting Report: Plaz flashed power potential as an amateur and has already added more strength, especially to his lower half, with room to add more to his frame. He times up pitchers with a toe tap and is capable of driving the ball to center field when he connects, already showing feel for the barrel, pitch recognition and strike-zone awareness. Amateur evaluators noted Plaz may battle some swing-and-miss as he grows into his power, but he kept his strikeouts in check in his first taste of the DSL (18.6% strikeout rate). He also has a chance to stick behind the plate due to solid receiving skills for his age and an above-average arm, although his footwork remains a work in progress.

The Future: Plaz will be just 17 years old on Opening Day and has a myriad of potential outcomes, but he caught the Pirates' attention. There are indicators that suggest a potential for both impact defense and power at a premium position.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.