Roberto Alomar

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #1 prospect in 1988
  An exceptional second baseman, Alomar was moved to shortstop last season and, despite 36 errors, made enough progress to become Garry Templeton’s heir apparent in San Diego. Alomar is a quick fielder, which rarely forces him to make a flat-footed throw and compensates for arm strength that is average at best for a shortstop. Alomar has the offensive skills to hit first or second in the batting order. He makes contact from both sides of the plate, already has won a batting championship (.346, California League, 1986) and has extra-base power from the left side. He is a terrific bunter and is learning to utilize speed that eventually should be worth 50 stolen bases a year. After Bip Roberts in 1986 and Joey Cora last season, the Padres are reluctant to push another Double-A player into the varsity lineup at second base. They plan to begin the season with him at shortstop in Las Vegas, with the idea that he will be ready to claim a middle infield job on the varsity by July.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 1987
  The son of Padres coach Sandy Alomar, Roberto won the California League batting title (.346) in 1986, his second pro season, despite a groin injury that limited him to 90 games. Scouts say Alomar bunts, hits behind the runner and generally handles a bat--particularly lefthanded--as well as any teenage prospect in the game. A prototype No. 2 hitter, he should be a frequent doubles hitter when he matures physically, and his speed eventually could be worth 50 stolen bases a year. Alomar is a competent second baseman with the range of a shortstop, but unlike his older brother Sandy Jr.--a top Padres catching prospect--he doesn’t have the arm to play on the left side of the infield.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 1986
  The son of former major league infielder Sandy Alomar, Roberto began his pro career last season as the youngest player in the South Atlantic League but hardly was overwhelmed (.293, 54 RBIs, 36 stolen bases). All but 17 of Alomar's 160 hits were singles, but scouts like his offensive potential, particularly from the left side of the plate. As he grows stronger, his speed will make him an extra-base hitter. And with instruction, he eventually may steal 55-60 bases a year. Though he made 36 errors as a second baseman last season, Alomar is a gifted defender. He has terrific hands and the range of a shortstop, which might be his position. The arm is strong, but sometimes erratic. Roberto and his older brother by a year, Sandy Jr., played at low Class A Charleston last season, and their father was a coach. Sandy Jr., is a good catching prospect, though scouts doubt that he’ll hit.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #8 prospect in 1987
  One manager said Alomar may not get to the majors until 1991, “but he’s just going to get better and better.” Alomar converted from second base to shortstop this year. The consensus: He’s not there yet, but he’ll be great in a few years. “If he was a second baseman, I could see him play in the big leagues next year,” Wichita manager Steve Smith said. “In one year, he’s really developed into a shortstop. It seems like the tougher the pitcher, the better he hits him.” Alomar hits well, bunts well and has good defensive instincts. But he’s still erratic at short.
• 
  Ranked California League #3 prospect in 1986
  Alomar finished as the California League’s hitting leader at .346 and drew raves for his ability to get on base, for his bunting ability and his play around second base. It’s all the more amazing because of Alomar's age--he’s in his second year of pro ball at 18, having been signed out of Puerto Rico at 17. He’s another player who has been around the game. His father Sandy Alomar spent 15 years in the majors and was a San Diego coach during the 1986 season. “I’ve never seen a kid that young handle the bat that well,” Palm Springs manager Tom Kotchman said. “He can bunt and slash-bunt, and he’s outstanding both ways, dragging and pushing it along third base.” “With his age, and his background, he can’t miss.” Stockton manager Dave Machemer said.

• December, 1987 Scouting Report
  An exceptional second baseman, Alomar was moved to shortstop last season and, despite 36 errors, made enough progress to become Garry Templeton’s heir apparent in San Diego. Alomar is a quick fielder, which rarely forces him to make a flat-footed throw and compensates for arm strength that is average at best for a shortstop. Alomar has the offensive skills to hit first or second in the batting order. He makes contact from both sides of the plate, already has won a batting championship (.346, California League, 1986) and has extra-base power from the left side. He is a terrific bunter and is learning to utilize speed that eventually should be worth 50 stolen bases a year. After Bip Roberts in 1986 and Joey Cora last season, the Padres are reluctant to push another Double-A player into the varsity lineup at second base. They plan to begin the season with him at shortstop in Las Vegas, with the idea that he will be ready to claim a middle infield job on the varsity by July.
• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  The son of Padres coach Sandy Alomar, Roberto won the California League batting title (.346) in 1986, his second pro season, despite a groin injury that limited him to 90 games. Scouts say Alomar bunts, hits behind the runner and generally handles a bat--particularly lefthanded--as well as any teenage prospect in the game. A prototype No. 2 hitter, he should be a frequent doubles hitter when he matures physically, and his speed eventually could be worth 50 stolen bases a year. Alomar is a competent second baseman with the range of a shortstop, but unlike his older brother Sandy Jr.--a top Padres catching prospect--he doesn’t have the arm to play on the left side of the infield.
• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  One manager said Alomar may not get to the majors until 1991, “but he’s just going to get better and better.” Alomar converted from second base to shortstop this year. The consensus: He’s not there yet, but he’ll be great in a few years. “If he was a second baseman, I could see him play in the big leagues next year,” Wichita manager Steve Smith said. “In one year, he’s really developed into a shortstop. It seems like the tougher the pitcher, the better he hits him.” Alomar hits well, bunts well and has good defensive instincts. But he’s still erratic at short.
• December, 1985 Scouting Report
  The son of former major league infielder Sandy Alomar, Roberto began his pro career last season as the youngest player in the South Atlantic League but hardly was overwhelmed (.293, 54 RBIs, 36 stolen bases). All but 17 of Alomar's 160 hits were singles, but scouts like his offensive potential, particularly from the left side of the plate. As he grows stronger, his speed will make him an extra-base hitter. And with instruction, he eventually may steal 55-60 bases a year. Though he made 36 errors as a second baseman last season, Alomar is a gifted defender. He has terrific hands and the range of a shortstop, which might be his position. The arm is strong, but sometimes erratic. Roberto and his older brother by a year, Sandy Jr., played at low Class A Charleston last season, and their father was a coach. Sandy Jr., is a good catching prospect, though scouts doubt that he’ll hit.
• December, 1985 Scouting Report
  Alomar finished as the California League’s hitting leader at .346 and drew raves for his ability to get on base, for his bunting ability and his play around second base. It’s all the more amazing because of Alomar's age--he’s in his second year of pro ball at 18, having been signed out of Puerto Rico at 17. He’s another player who has been around the game. His father Sandy Alomar spent 15 years in the majors and was a San Diego coach during the 1986 season. “I’ve never seen a kid that young handle the bat that well,” Palm Springs manager Tom Kotchman said. “He can bunt and slash-bunt, and he’s outstanding both ways, dragging and pushing it along third base.” “With his age, and his background, he can’t miss.” Stockton manager Dave Machemer said.