Rafael Furcal

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #1 prospect in 2000
  Background: Furcal has blazed his way through the organization over the past two years. The Dominican infielder jumped on the fast track in 1998, when Appalachian League managers named him the Rookie-level league's top prospect. He batted .328-0-23 with a league-record 60 stolen bases for Danville. His efforts were even more impressive this season, when Furcal ranked as the South Atlantic League's top prospect after leading the circuit in stolen bases in just 83 games. He continued to excel in the Carolina League following a July promotion and served as a catalyst for Class A Myrtle Beach, which wound up sharing the league championship. Add in the fact that Furcal played most of the '99 season at age 18 (his birthday is in late August), and his rapid rise is nothing short of amazing. Strengths: Furcal made the move from second base to shortstop with aplomb this season. Equally productive from both sides of the plate, Furcal hits for a high average and has the tools necessary to be an outstanding major league leadoff hitter. His instincts are his most impressive trait. No minor leaguer reads a pitcher better on the basepaths, enabling Furcal to get massive jumps and lead the minors in stolen bases this year. He also always seems to be at the right spot on defense. His glove is consistent, while his range and arm strength are well above-average. Weaknesses: A four-tool player who lacks only power, Furcal needs to refine his skills. Already a good bunter, he will be a nightmare at the plate if he can learn to place bunts. Furcal needs to develop more patience at the plate and draw more walks, which he failed to do after his promotion to Myrtle Beach. The Braves want to see him learn to take the shortest route to ground balls instead of trusting his arm to retire hitters at first on bang-bang plays. Those improvements should happen as he continues to gain experience and face better competition. The Future: Furcal is the next long-term answer at short for Atlanta. He will begin the 2000 campaign at Double-A Greenville, but a midseason promotion to Triple-A Richmond is a distinct possibility.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #7 prospect in 1999
  Background: Furcal has played two years in the United States and won't turn 19 until Aug. 24. He made as much progress as anyone in the organization at rookie-level Danville in 1998, earning recognition as the Appalachian League's top prospect while shattering the league's stolen-base record. Strengths: Moved from second base to shortstop in instructional league, Furcal has three plus tools and will improve a fourth once he settles in at his new position. He has outstanding speed, a strong arm, great range and excellent hitting ability. His all-around talent and instincts to play the game may be his strongest attributes. Weaknesses: Since power is not Furcal's forte, he needs to perfect the little man's game with bunt hits and moving runners over. Furcal must improve upon his ability in taking the right angle to get around grounders at shortstop. The Future: Atlanta has longed for an athletic, defensive-minded shortstop. Furcal is their man and figures to be a starter at Macon in 1999.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #3 prospect in 1999
  In an organization known for its development of outstanding pitching arms, Furcal is creating a stir with his legs. "He's something else," Wedge said. "He has explosive speed." Furcal is sprinting toward the majors at a rapid pace. He has adapted well to a defensive switch from second base to shortstop, but it is on the basepaths where he has the most impact. "In two years, that kid will probably be in the big leagues," Gideon said. "He's got all the talent and instincts it takes." Furcal has learned to drag bunt, making his speed that much more useful. He nearly became the first minor league player in 14 years to steal 100 in a season--finishing with 96 between Class A Macon and Myrtle Beach.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #1 prospect in 1999
  If winning the South Atlantic League batting title was all Furcal did in 1999, that would have been impressive enough. But he also led the league in stolen bases playing in just 83 games, and played a dazzling shortstop in his first year at the position after a move from second base. Managers named Furcal the league's most exciting player. "He did everything well and he was enthusiastic and aggressive," Greensboro manager Stan Hough said. "He looked older and he played older than he actually is. He shouldn't have been in this league." Soon he wasn't, promoted to Class A Myrtle Beach. First-step quickness is the first thing most scouts noticed about Furcal. That and the range. Well, maybe the arm. He didn't show much pop but almost certainly will add bulk. Stamina wasn't a problem. More importantly, Furcal refined virtually all other facets of the game--fielding, throwing, running, situational hitting and bunting.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #8 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #60 prospect in 1999

• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Furcal has played two years in the United States and won't turn 19 until Aug. 24. He made as much progress as anyone in the organization at rookie-level Danville in 1998, earning recognition as the Appalachian League's top prospect while shattering the league's stolen-base record. Strengths: Moved from second base to shortstop in instructional league, Furcal has three plus tools and will improve a fourth once he settles in at his new position. He has outstanding speed, a strong arm, great range and excellent hitting ability. His all-around talent and instincts to play the game may be his strongest attributes. Weaknesses: Since power is not Furcal's forte, he needs to perfect the little man's game with bunt hits and moving runners over. Furcal must improve upon his ability in taking the right angle to get around grounders at shortstop. The Future: Atlanta has longed for an athletic, defensive-minded shortstop. Furcal is their man and figures to be a starter at Macon in 1999.