Abrahan Gutierrez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #22 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Gutierrez was set to sign with the Braves for $3.53 million in 2017, a record at the time for an international amateur catcher, but MLB voided the deal because of the Braves’ international infractions. He eventually signed with the Phillies for $550,000 and showed encouraging bat-to-ball skills but inconsistent conditioning. The Pirates acquired Gutierrez at the 2021 deadline in a deal for reliever Braeden Ogle, and he exceeded their expectations at Low-A Bradenton.
  
  Scouting Report: The Pirates were impressed with Gutierrez’s mature approach. He was one of Pittsburgh’s most selective hitters, walking more than he struck out, while also posting one of the lower chase rates in the system. He doesn’t post overwhelming exit velocities and there’s some length to his swing, leading to fringe-average power potential. Gutierrez will have to work diligently to maintain his body, and the Phillies said he did a better job of it in 2021. He also earned positive reviews for improvements with pitch-calling and receiving. Gutierrez’s fringy arm is susceptible to basestealers.
  
  The Future: Pittsburgh suddenly has a glut of catching prospects, but Gutierrez distinguished himself after the trade deadline. He has the hitting ability and defensive chops to project as a part-time MLB catcher.
  
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #26 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Gutierrez signed with the Phillies in 2017 after his contract with the Braves was voided when MLB penalized Atlanta for violating international signing rules. He fared well in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2018, but struggled to a .246/.314/.318 slash line in his first taste of full-season ball at low Class A Lakewood in 2019. Gutierrez spent 2020 working hard to improve his conditioning and added strength to his frame.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez is a line-drive hitter despite showing average raw power in batting practice. He does a solid job controlling the strike zone and rarely chases outside of it. While Gutierrez doesn't swing and miss much, he struggles to consistently make hard contact as a result of below-average bat speed and a long swing. The result most often is weak ground balls and popups. Defensively, Gutierrez receives well and offers a low target behind the plate. He handles pitchers well and has average arm strength, ultimately projecting as an average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez will attempt to turn his physical gains into better production. He projects as a backup catcher if he can quicken his bat speed and make harder contact.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #26 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A year after the Phillies signed Simon Muzziottti after Major League Baseball voided his contract, they inked Gutierrez after MLB voided his Braves contract. He made his full-season debut in 2019 at low Class A Lakewood.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez's quickly maturing body drew some concerns when he was an amateur, but he has managed to retain his flexibility despite thick hips and a heavy lower half. Gutierrez is able to get low in his crouch and sets a good, low target. He has an average arm and projects as a fringe-average or average defender. Gutierrez made zero offensive impact in 2019, as he didn't drive the ball despite his solid strength. He can shoot balls into the opposite field gap or yank them down the line, but generally, he hit a lot of ineffectual ground balls and shallow fly balls. He shows average power in batting practice, but his slow bat speed and long swing make it hard for him to get to his power in games.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez has some building blocks of a backup catcher, but he has to speed up his bat.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Gutierrez was set to sign with the Braves for $3.53 million in 2017, a record at the time for an international amateur catcher, but MLB voided the deal because of the Braves&#39 international infractions. He eventually signed with the Phillies for $550,000 and showed encouraging bat-to-ball skills but inconsistent conditioning. The Pirates acquired Gutierrez at the 2021 deadline in a deal for reliever Braeden Ogle, and he exceeded their expectations at Low-A Bradenton.
  
  Scouting Report: The Pirates were impressed with Gutierrez&#39s mature approach. He was one of Pittsburgh&#39s most selective hitters, walking more than he struck out, while also posting one of the lower chase rates in the system. He doesn&#39t post overwhelming exit velocities and there&#39s some length to his swing, leading to fringe-average power potential. Gutierrez will have to work diligently to maintain his body, and the Phillies said he did a better job of it in 2021. He also earned positive reviews for improvements with pitch-calling and receiving. Gutierrez&#39s fringy arm is susceptible to basestealers.
  
  The Future: Pittsburgh suddenly has a glut of catching prospects, but Gutierrez distinguished himself after the trade deadline. He has the hitting ability and defensive chops to project as a part-time MLB catcher.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Gutierrez was set to sign with the Braves for $3.53 million in 2017, a record at the time for an international amateur catcher, but MLB voided the deal because of the Braves’ international infractions. He eventually signed with the Phillies for $550,000 and showed encouraging bat-to-ball skills but inconsistent conditioning. The Pirates acquired Gutierrez at the 2021 deadline in a deal for reliever Braeden Ogle, and he exceeded their expectations at Low-A Bradenton.
  
  Scouting Report: The Pirates were impressed with Gutierrez’s mature approach. He was one of Pittsburgh’s most selective hitters, walking more than he struck out, while also posting one of the lower chase rates in the system. He doesn’t post overwhelming exit velocities and there’s some length to his swing, leading to fringe-average power potential. Gutierrez will have to work diligently to maintain his body, and the Phillies said he did a better job of it in 2021. He also earned positive reviews for improvements with pitch-calling and receiving. Gutierrez’s fringy arm is susceptible to basestealers.
  
  The Future: Pittsburgh suddenly has a glut of catching prospects, but Gutierrez distinguished himself after the trade deadline. He has the hitting ability and defensive chops to project as a part-time MLB catcher.
  
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Gutierrez signed with the Phillies in 2017 after his contract with the Braves was voided when MLB penalized Atlanta for violating international signing rules. He fared well in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2018, but struggled to a .246/.314/.318 slash line in his first taste of full-season ball at low Class A Lakewood in 2019. Gutierrez spent 2020 working hard to improve his conditioning and added strength to his frame.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez is a line-drive hitter despite showing average raw power in batting practice. He does a solid job controlling the strike zone and rarely chases outside of it. While Gutierrez doesn't swing and miss much, he struggles to consistently make hard contact as a result of below-average bat speed and a long swing. The result most often is weak ground balls and popups. Defensively, Gutierrez receives well and offers a low target behind the plate. He handles pitchers well and has average arm strength, ultimately projecting as an average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez will attempt to turn his physical gains into better production. He projects as a backup catcher if he can quicken his bat speed and make harder contact.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Gutierrez signed with the Phillies in 2017 after his contract with the Braves was voided when MLB penalized Atlanta for violating international signing rules. He fared well in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2018, but struggled to a .246/.314/.318 slash line in his first taste of full-season ball at low Class A Lakewood in 2019. Gutierrez spent 2020 working hard to improve his conditioning and added strength to his frame.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez is a line-drive hitter despite showing average raw power in batting practice. He does a solid job controlling the strike zone and rarely chases outside of it. While Gutierrez doesn't swing and miss much, he struggles to consistently make hard contact as a result of below-average bat speed and a long swing. The result most often is weak ground balls and popups. Defensively, Gutierrez receives well and offers a low target behind the plate. He handles pitchers well and has average arm strength, ultimately projecting as an average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez will attempt to turn his physical gains into better production. He projects as a backup catcher if he can quicken his bat speed and make harder contact.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A year after the Phillies signed Simon Muzziottti after Major League Baseball voided his contract, they inked Gutierrez after MLB voided his Braves contract. He made his full-season debut in 2019 at low Class A Lakewood.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez’s quickly maturing body drew some concerns when he was an amateur, but he has managed to retain his flexibility despite thick hips and a heavy lower half. Gutierrez is able to get low in his crouch and sets a good, low target. He has an average arm and projects as a fringe-average or average defender. Gutierrez made zero offensive impact in 2019, as he didn’t drive the ball despite his solid strength. He can shoot balls into the opposite field gap or yank them down the line, but generally, he hit a lot of ineffectual ground balls and shallow fly balls. He shows average power in batting practice, but his slow bat speed and long swing make it hard for him to get to his power in games.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez has some building blocks of a backup catcher, but he has to speed up his bat.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A year after the Phillies signed Simon Muzziottti after Major League Baseball voided his contract, they inked Gutierrez after MLB voided his Braves contract. He made his full-season debut in 2019 at low Class A Lakewood.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gutierrez's quickly maturing body drew some concerns when he was an amateur, but he has managed to retain his flexibility despite thick hips and a heavy lower half. Gutierrez is able to get low in his crouch and sets a good, low target. He has an average arm and projects as a fringe-average or average defender. Gutierrez made zero offensive impact in 2019, as he didn't drive the ball despite his solid strength. He can shoot balls into the opposite field gap or yank them down the line, but generally, he hit a lot of ineffectual ground balls and shallow fly balls. He shows average power in batting practice, but his slow bat speed and long swing make it hard for him to get to his power in games.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gutierrez has some building blocks of a backup catcher, but he has to speed up his bat.