- Full name Eli Serrano
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Background: Serrano was a first-team All-American last spring, when he finished second in the NCAA in hitting at .457. He was the first college catcher selected in the draft. Strengths: Serrano is an offensive-minded receiver with the potential to be an above-average run producer for the position. He has a short, strong swing and stays inside the ball very well for a player just adjusting to wood bats, giving him to show plus power to the opposite field. His best tool defensively is his soft hands. Weaknesses: Despite plenty of catching experience, Serrano is raw defensively. His two major problems are a hitch in his throwing action and inconsistent footwork, which affects both his throwing and his blocking. Both are fundamental skills, not physical, that Serrano worked hard to correct during instructional league. The Future: The Giants value offensive skills behind the plate more than most organizations, realizing that catch-and-throw receivers are rarely big league starters and readily available in Triple-A. If Serrano can make the necessary defensive adjustments, they feel he can become a front line major leaguer.