Omar Falcon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #17 prospect in 2001
  Falcon added to the club's catching depth in the lower minors when he signed as a third-round pick last June, passing up a Louisiana State scholarship. Managers rated him the Arizona League's No. 6 prospect in his debut. He's quick behind the plate and supplements a strong arm with a short release (though he threw out just 19 percent of basestealers). Offensively, Falcon uses the entire field, has power potential and knows how to take a walk. His main needs are improving his receiving skills and making better contact. Because Nick Trzesniak and Andres Pagan probably aren't ready for high Class A, Falcon probably will begin 2001 in extended spring training before reporting to Idaho Falls or short-season Eugene in June.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #6 prospect in 2000
  Falcon easily stood out as the league's best catching prospect. "He's very young, but he handles a game well," Carey said. "He's got a good arm and body." Falcon's own manager, Howard Bushong, praised him for the improvement he showed: "He still needs work on his receiving skills and making better contact, but he threw a lot better and blocked better in the last couple of weeks. He's got a strong, accurate arm. He's also got good power, especially to the opposite field."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Falcon easily stood out as the league's best catching prospect. "He's very young, but he handles a game well," Carey said. "He's got a good arm and body." Falcon's own manager, Howard Bushong, praised him for the improvement he showed: "He still needs work on his receiving skills and making better contact, but he threw a lot better and blocked better in the last couple of weeks. He's got a strong, accurate arm. He's also got good power, especially to the opposite field."