Steven Souza Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1669
AVG	.229
OBP	.318
SLG	.411
HR	72

Full name Steven Jeffrey Souza Jr.
Born 04/24/1989 in Everett, WA
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cascade
Debut 04/13/2014
Drafted in the 3rd round (100th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2007 (signed for $346,000).

View Draft Report

Another Washington State signee, third baseman Steven Souza, was attracting attention as the next-best hitter in the state after Travis Mattair. Souza has plus bat speed and leverage in his swing, with a pro body and sufficient athleticism. His run and throw tools grade as average. Some scouts question his maturity and makeup, and many more wonder if he has the hands to stick in the infield. It won't matter if his bat plays as his supporters contend it will, with power to all fields. Organizations that don't mind raw, toolsy players--the Pirates and Nationals come to mind--could take Souza in the first five rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Since the Nationals restarted Souza's career by sending him back to low Class A in 2012, he has matured, on and off the field. He followed up his 2013 breakout in Double-A by leading the Triple-A International League in hitting (.350), on-base percentage (.432) and slugging (.590), and he reached the big leagues in September. The physical, athletic Souza has multiple tools that rate better than average. His plus raw power plays in games because he excels at driving balls into the right-center field gap, and the Nationals would like to see him pull the ball with authority a bit more. Souza controls the strike zone fairly well, taking his share of walks and putting himself in good hitter's counts. He has a short swing and projects as at least a fringe-average hitter. He also has slightly above-average speed and is a smart baserunner who likes to steal bags. His speed translates to good range at either outfield corner, and his plus arm allows him to handle right field ably. Souza has nothing left to prove at Triple-A Syracuse, but he appears blocked for an everyday job in Washington, where Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Denard Span are entrenched in the outfield. He has a strong chance to be an everyday player given the chance. Did not play
Maturity issues undermined Souza's ability to maximize his tantalizing raw talent for the first few years of his career. As he grew up, he rejuvenated his career with a breakout 2012 campaign, then performed well in Double-A in 2013, though he missed time with an oblique injury. Souza is a physical specimen with multiple loud tools. He has 65 raw power and is capable of hitting home runs from pole to pole. A former third baseman, Souza has found a home as a corner outfielder, where he is a solid-average defender with a plus arm. He's also a slightly above-average runner with good baserunning instincts. If Souza hits, he has the tool set to be an everyday right fielder. He has done a better job staying in his legs and maintaining a balanced swing, helping him drive the ball to all fields. Souza can hit premium velocity, but his swing still has some length, making him vulnerable against offspeed stuff. He couples his high strikeout totals with an improving walk rate, though he remains a fringe-average hitter. He should advance to Triple-A in 2014. Washington retained Souza by adding him to the 40-man roster this fall, preventing him from becoming a minor league free agent.
The Nationals have raved about Souza's raw tools since they signed him for $346,000 in 2007, but scouts have questioned his maturity for years. He hit a low point in 2010, when he broke his thumb and served a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He struggled to make consistent contact in 2011 and had to repeat low Class A as a 23-year-old last year, but he turned a corner and earned a promotion to high Class A. Physical and athletic, Souza has three above-average tools in his raw power, speed and arm strength. He used to be a tall, erect hitter who got off his back side quickly, but he did a much better job incorporating his legs and using the whole field while slashing his strikeout rate last year. Scouts still worry about his pitch recognition and holes in his swing, doubting he'll have the aptitude to hit in the majors. Souza responded well to a move to the outfield in 2012 after playing third base and first base earlier in his career, but he has a lot to learn in order to become an average defender there. He has the raw ability to be an everyday big league right fielder, but he's 24 and must prove himself above the Class A level first.

Minor League Top Prospects

A late-bloomer with upside, Souza logged eight years in the minors before finally making it to the majors in 2014. He led the IL in the modern triple-crown categories (batting/on-base/slugging) to help Syracuse finish with the best record in the IL. Souza combines good speed with raw power, and his easy righthanded swing allows him to drive the ball to all fields. Souza adopted an up-the-middle approach that has helped him cut down on his strikeouts and make better use of his power. A National League scout projects him to hit 15-20 home runs, while Souza's average speed can be described as "deceptive," as one scout put it. Drafted as a third baseman, Souza shifted to the outfield in 2012 and plays all three spots effectively, profiling best in right field with his plus arm.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2014
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the International League in 2014
Rated Best Baserunner in the International League in 2014

Career Transactions

Seattle Mariners released RF Steven Souza Jr..
Seattle Mariners designated RF Steven Souza Jr. for assignment.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent RF Steven Souza Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RF Steven Souza Jr. elected free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of RF Steven Souza Jr. from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent RF Steven Souza Jr. outright to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated RF Steven Souza Jr. for assignment.
Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of RF Steven Souza Jr. from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RF Steven Souza Jr. to a minor league contract.
Los Angeles Dodgers released RF Steven Souza Jr..
Los Angeles Dodgers designated RF Steven Souza Jr. for assignment.
Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of RF Steven Souza Jr. from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers from Dodgers Alternate Training Site.
Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RF Steven Souza Jr..
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Sugar Land Skeeters released RF Steven Souza Jr..
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Sugar Land Skeeters.
Houston Astros signed free agent RF Steven Souza Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Round Rock Express.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Round Rock Express.
OF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Chicago Cubs released RF Steven Souza Jr..
Chicago Cubs designated RF Steven Souza Jr. for assignment.
Chicago Cubs activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 10-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 17, 2020. Right hamstring strain.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent RF Steven Souza Jr..
RF Steven Souza Jr. elected free agency.
Arizona Diamondbacks activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 60-day injured list.
Arizona Diamondbacks transferred RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Left knee injury.
Arizona Diamondbacks placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 10-day injured list. Left knee injury.
Steven Souza Jr. changed number to 28.
Arizona Diamondbacks activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 10-day disabled list.
Arizona Diamondbacks sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Reno Aces.
Arizona Diamondbacks sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Visalia Rawhide.
Arizona Diamondbacks placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 10-day disabled list. Right pectoral strain.
Arizona Diamondbacks activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 10-day disabled list.
Arizona Diamondbacks placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 10-day disabled list. Right pectoral strain.
Arizona Diamondbacks Traded 3B Brandon Drury to New York Yankees; New York Yankees Traded Taylor Widener to Arizona Diamondbacks; New York Yankees Traded Nick Solak to Tampa Bay Rays; Tampa Bay Rays Traded RF Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Diamondbacks Traded LHP Anthony Banda and Player To Be Named Later to Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 60-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 60-day disabled list. Left hip impingement and labral tear.
Tampa Bay Rays activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 15-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays sent OF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 15, 2016.
Tampa Bay Rays activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 15-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Tampa Bay Rays sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 15-day disabled list. Fractured left hand
Tampa Bay Rays activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 15-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 6, 2015. Deep laceration on his right pinkie
Washington Nationals traded RF Steven Souza Jr. and LHP Travis Ott to Tampa Bay Rays.
Washington Nationals activated RF Steven Souza Jr..
Washington Nationals reassigned RF Steven Souza Jr. to the minor leagues.
Washington Nationals activated RF Steven Souza Jr. from the 15-day disabled list.
Washington Nationals sent OF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Potomac Nationals.
Washington Nationals sent RF Steven Souza Jr. on a rehab assignment to Hagerstown Suns.
Washington Nationals placed RF Steven Souza Jr. on the 15-day disabled list. Left shoulder contusion
Washington Nationals recalled RF Steven Souza Jr. from Syracuse Chiefs.
RF Steven Souza Jr. assigned to International League All-Stars.
Washington Nationals recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals optioned RF Steven Souza Jr. to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals optioned RF Steven Souza Jr. to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals selected the contract of Steven Souza Jr. from Harrisburg Senators.
Washington Nationals optioned RF Steven Souza Jr. to Syracuse Chiefs.
Steven Souza roster status changed by Harrisburg Senators.
Harrisburg Senators sent CF Steven Souza on a rehab assignment to GCL Nationals.
Harrisburg Senators placed CF Steven Souza on the 7-day disabled list.
OF Steven Souza assigned to EAS Western Division All-Stars.
Harrisburg Senators activated CF Steven Souza from the 7-day disabled list.
Harrisburg Senators placed CF Steven Souza on the 7-day disabled list.
CF Steven Souza assigned to Harrisburg Senators from Potomac Nationals.
OF Steven Souza assigned to Washington Nationals.
Steven Souza roster status changed by Potomac Nationals.
Potomac Nationals placed OF Steven Souza on the 7-day disabled list.
OF Steven Souza assigned to Potomac Nationals from Hagerstown Suns.
Steven Souza roster status changed by Hagerstown Suns.
Hagerstown Suns placed OF Steven Souza on the 7-day disabled list.
OF Steven Souza assigned to Hagerstown Suns from Potomac Nationals.
Steven Souza assigned to Potomac Nationals from Hagerstown Suns.
Steven Souza roster status changed by Hagerstown Suns.
Hagerstown Suns placed 3B Steven Souza on the restricted list.
Hagerstown Suns placed 3B Steven Souza on the 7-day disabled list.
3B Steven Souza assigned to Washington Nationals.
Seattle Mariners selected the contract of RF Steven Souza Jr. from Tacoma Rainiers.