Eliezer Alfonzo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The son of big league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, the younger Eliezer has always been moved slowly by the Tigers, but he's generally hit while drawing raves for his defense behind the plate. A 2016 signee out of Venezuela, Alfonso has hit over .300 in four out of five pro seasons, but he's generally been asked to repeat levels. He missed significant time in 2022 because of a thigh strain, a back injury and an elbow fracture.
  
  Scouting Report: Drawing comparisons to former Tigers backstop Brayan Pena (now a Tigers MiLB manager), Alfonzo shows advanced maturity and impressive defensive chops. Defensively, Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame would suggest and should continue to polish that as he trims his frame. His fringe-average arm plays up because of a quick release. Alfonzo's offensive profile has always been more of a concern. His swing can be a little choppy, but he has consistently performed. He's often been old for the levels he's played at, but he's a career .304/.370/.392 hitter. He makes good swing decisions and has solid bat-to-ball skills but below-average power.
  
  The Future: The Tigers did not protect Alfonzo from the Rule 5 draft, figuring correctly that a Class A catcher would not merit much attention.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #25 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Alfonzo has quietly drawn praise for his developmental progress since signing with Detroit out of Venezuela in 2016, especially after breaking out in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 by hitting .391/.485/.500 in 33 games. He split his time between Low-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan in 2021, hitting .287 with eight homers between the two levels.
  
  Scouting Report: Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame might suggest and can add more defensive polish if he continues to keep his weight in check. In 59 games behind the plate, Alfonzo allowed just one passed ball. At the plate, he has solid bat-to-ball skills and a compact swing geared to contact. He doesn’t walk much, and needs to shore up his approach against more advanced pitching, especially against breaking stuff. Coaches who have worked with Alfonzo point out his natural leadership ability.
  
  The Future: After posting respectable production at High-A West Michigan in 2021, Alfonzo is expected to return to the level to start 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Alfonzo signed with the Tigers out of Venezuela in 2016 and has slowly made his way up the minor league ladder. After spending two seasons in Rookie ball, Alfonzo jumped to short-season Connecticut in 2019 and hit .318/.342/.374 with seven doubles and 24 RBIs. The Tigers brought him to instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alfonzo has a nice blend of skills, even if he lacks a plus tool. He has a short, compact swing geared for plenty of contact but not a lot of power. He has strong knowledge of the strike zone and doesn't strike out very often. Alfonzo moves well behind the plate and threw out 51% of basestealers with his above-average arm. He is also praised for his leadership qualities and work ethic.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alfonzo's blend of decent offensive and defensive skills give him a chance to be a backup catcher. He'll move to full-season ball in 2021.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #20 prospect in 2019
  Alfonzo continued his impressive minor league career in the NYPL, posting his third straight season batting above .300. In addition to his solid defensive work behind the plate, Alfonzo was one of the tougher hitters to strike out in the NYPL this season. Among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances, Alfonzo struck out just a smidge below nine percent of the time. Alfonzo has a short, compact swing that helps him make consistent contact. He has knowledge of the strike zone but projects to have little power in the future. He is considered a solid receiver with a decent arm, but he doesn't have the overall defensive profile to project as an above-average everyday catcher. If Alfonzo matures defensively and keeps his contact-first approach, he could profile as a future backup catcher at the major league level.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The son of big league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, the younger Eliezer has always been moved slowly by the Tigers, but he's generally hit while drawing raves for his defense behind the plate. A 2016 signee out of Venezuela, Alfonso has hit over .300 in four out of five pro seasons, but he's generally been asked to repeat levels. He missed significant time in 2022 because of a thigh strain, a back injury and an elbow fracture.
  
  Scouting Report: Drawing comparisons to former Tigers backstop Brayan Pena (now a Tigers MiLB manager), Alfonzo shows advanced maturity and impressive defensive chops. Defensively, Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame would suggest and should continue to polish that as he trims his frame. His fringe-average arm plays up because of a quick release. Alfonzo's offensive profile has always been more of a concern. His swing can be a little choppy, but he has consistently performed. He's often been old for the levels he's played at, but he's a career .304/.370/.392 hitter. He makes good swing decisions and has solid bat-to-ball skills but below-average power.
  
  The Future: The Tigers did not protect Alfonzo from the Rule 5 draft, figuring correctly that a Class A catcher would not merit much attention.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The son of big league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, the younger Eliezer has always been moved slowly by the Tigers, but he's generally hit while drawing raves for his defense behind the plate. A 2016 signee out of Venezuela, Alfonso has hit over .300 in four out of five pro seasons, but he's generally been asked to repeat levels. He missed significant time in 2022 because of a thigh strain, a back injury and an elbow fracture.
  
  Scouting Report: Drawing comparisons to former Tigers backstop Brayan Pena (now a Tigers MiLB manager), Alfonzo shows advanced maturity and impressive defensive chops. Defensively, Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame would suggest and should continue to polish that as he trims his frame. His fringe-average arm plays up because of a quick release. Alfonzo's offensive profile has always been more of a concern. His swing can be a little choppy, but he has consistently performed. He's often been old for the levels he's played at, but he's a career .304/.370/.392 hitter. He makes good swing decisions and has solid bat-to-ball skills but below-average power.
  
  The Future: The Tigers did not protect Alfonzo from the Rule 5 draft, figuring correctly that a Class A catcher would not merit much attention.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Alfonzo has quietly drawn praise for his developmental progress since signing with Detroit out of Venezuela in 2016, especially after breaking out in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 by hitting .391/.485/.500 in 33 games. He split his time between Low-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan in 2021, hitting .287 with eight homers between the two levels.
  
  Scouting Report: Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame might suggest and can add more defensive polish if he continues to keep his weight in check. In 59 games behind the plate, Alfonzo allowed just one passed ball. At the plate, he has solid bat-to-ball skills and a compact swing geared to contact. He doesn&#39t walk much, and needs to shore up his approach against more advanced pitching, especially against breaking stuff. Coaches who have worked with Alfonzo point out his natural leadership ability.
  
  The Future: After posting respectable production at High-A West Michigan in 2021, Alfonzo is expected to return to the level to start 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Alfonzo has quietly drawn praise for his developmental progress since signing with Detroit out of Venezuela in 2016, especially after breaking out in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 by hitting .391/.485/.500 in 33 games. He split his time between Low-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan in 2021, hitting .287 with eight homers between the two levels.
  
  Scouting Report: Alfonzo moves more quickly than his solid frame might suggest and can add more defensive polish if he continues to keep his weight in check. In 59 games behind the plate, Alfonzo allowed just one passed ball. At the plate, he has solid bat-to-ball skills and a compact swing geared to contact. He doesn’t walk much, and needs to shore up his approach against more advanced pitching, especially against breaking stuff. Coaches who have worked with Alfonzo point out his natural leadership ability.
  
  The Future: After posting respectable production at High-A West Michigan in 2021, Alfonzo is expected to return to the level to start 2022.
  
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alfonzo signed with the Tigers out of Venezuela in 2016 and has slowly made his way up the minor league ladder. After spending two seasons in Rookie ball, Alfonzo jumped to short-season Connecticut in 2019 and hit .318/.342/.374 with seven doubles and 24 RBIs. The Tigers brought him to instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alfonzo has a nice blend of skills, even if he lacks a plus tool. He has a short, compact swing geared for plenty of contact but not a lot of power. He has strong knowledge of the strike zone and doesn't strike out very often. Alfonzo moves well behind the plate and threw out 51% of basestealers with his above-average arm. He is also praised for his leadership qualities and work ethic.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alfonzo's blend of decent offensive and defensive skills give him a chance to be a backup catcher. He'll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alfonzo signed with the Tigers out of Venezuela in 2016 and has slowly made his way up the minor league ladder. After spending two seasons in Rookie ball, Alfonzo jumped to short-season Connecticut in 2019 and hit .318/.342/.374 with seven doubles and 24 RBIs. The Tigers brought him to instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alfonzo has a nice blend of skills, even if he lacks a plus tool. He has a short, compact swing geared for plenty of contact but not a lot of power. He has strong knowledge of the strike zone and doesn't strike out very often. Alfonzo moves well behind the plate and threw out 51% of basestealers with his above-average arm. He is also praised for his leadership qualities and work ethic.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alfonzo's blend of decent offensive and defensive skills give him a chance to be a backup catcher. He'll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Alfonzo continued his impressive minor league career in the NYPL, posting his third straight season batting above .300. In addition to his solid defensive work behind the plate, Alfonzo was one of the tougher hitters to strike out in the NYPL this season. Among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances, Alfonzo struck out just a smidge below nine percent of the time. Alfonzo has a short, compact swing that helps him make consistent contact. He has knowledge of the strike zone but projects to have little power in the future. He is considered a solid receiver with a decent arm, but he doesn't have the overall defensive profile to project as an above-average everyday catcher. If Alfonzo matures defensively and keeps his contact-first approach, he could profile as a future backup catcher at the major league level.