Luis Rengifo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #6 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Rengifo signed with the Mariners for $360,000 out of Venezuela in 2014 and was traded to the Rays in 2017. Just before 2018 spring training, the Angels acquired Rengifo from Tampa Bay for C.J. Cron. Rengifo surprised even the Angels with a breakout 2018. He jumped three levels from high Class A to Triple-A, showing superb plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. Overall he hit .299 with 41 steals and as many walks as strikeouts (75), causing one front office official to liken Rengifo to "finding gold."
  
  Scouting Report: Rengifo is a strong and athletic switch-hitter with a compact swing and a line-drive approach. He stays in the strike zone and doesn't chase, allowing him to find good pitches to drive on a line. He doesn't elevate for home runs but has extra-base power and is getting stronger. Rengifo steals bags more with his superb instincts than his average speed, though he finds another gear underway. A natural shortstop who is still improving at second base, Rengifo is an average defender with an average arm up the middle.
  
  The Future: Rengifo is in position to reach the majors in 2019. Most see him as a future utility infielder, but he does all the little things to potentially be more than that.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #17 prospect in 2018
  Even though he has been traded twice in his young career and also passed through the Rule 5 draft last offseason, Rengifo sure looked like a prospect in 2018. The Angels acquired him from the Rays in late March as the player to be named for C.J. Cron and watched him climb from high Class A to Triple-A while showing a well-rounded skill set. He hit .299/.399/.452 with 41 stolen bases in 127 games while compiling as many walks (75) as strikeouts. Plus speed headlines Rengifo’s tool set, and if his power develops he will have average or better tools across the board. With a sharp batting eye and a quick, direct swing from both sides of the plate, he makes frequent contact and sprays the ball around. Many evaluators project more power for the short, powerful Rengifo once he learns to turn on the ball. He already is a shrewd baserunner and prolific basestealer. Rengifo shows average range and an above-average arm at shortstop, where he makes all the routine plays, though many evaluators grade him more favorably at second base or in a utility role.
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  Ranked California League #13 prospect in 2018
  Rengifo spent 41 games in the Cal League, sailed through Double-A and finished the year in Triple-A, putting together a combined .299/.399/.452 slash line with 41 stolen bases. None of Rengifo’s tools are plus, but he gets the most out of everything he has. His elite plate-discipline puts him in favorable hitter’s counts, he expertly reads keys points off both the pitcher and catcher to steal bases, and he understands his footwork and angles to capably make every play at shortstop. “Just a dynamic talent,” Stockton manager Rick Magnante said. “Certainly the speed, the instincts on the bases, the daring, another kid who can manage the strike zone, a tough out. And defensively his athleticism, his actions and his arm strength all play into the center of the diamond type of skills.” Rengifo’s batting average and on-base percentage dropped each level he climbed and his lack of plus speed caught up with him at Triple-A, where he was thrown out stealing as often as he was successful. Still, Rengifo’s well-rounded skillset has him in position to break into the majors soon.

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  The speedy Rengifo, acquired from the Rays for C.J. Cron, jumped from high Class A to Double-A to Triple-A with no decline in production. Though evaluators don’t see huge tools, Rengifo’s guile and instincts are proving more than enough as he’s hit .315/.420/.482 with 37 steals. The switch-hitter has a steady line-drive approach from both sides of the plate and defensively is solid at shortstop, profiling ultimately as a utility infielder for most evaluators.