Christian Lara
| AB | 2593 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .254 |
| OBP | .328 |
| SLG | .364 |
| HR | 32 |
- Full name Christian Y. Lara
- Born 04/11/1985 in El Tigre, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Coming into 2005, shortstop was the strongest position in the system. But since then, Hanley Ramirez has gone to the Marlins in the Josh Beckett trade; Dustin Pedroia shifted over to second base and Luis Soto has gone to right field. Unless Pedroia moves back, that leaves Lara as the organization's undisputed top shortstop prospect. He has a chance to be a plus defender, with slightly above-average range and arm strength and instincts that make him even better than his tools. He's steady too, leading South Atlantic League shortstops with a .951 fielding percentage in 2005. The question with Lara is his bat. He hit .330 in his U.S. debut in 2004 but dropped 98 points when he moved up to low Class A last year. He's a switch-hitter with bat-handling skills, but he's going to have to get much stronger. He'll never be a power threat, but he faded badly in his first full season, hitting .181 with five extra-base hits in the final two months. While Lara has some speed, realistically he's going to hit near the bottom of a big league lineup. He's intelligent, works hard and understands what he needs to do. He'll begin 2006 back in low Class A in an effort to get his bat going. -
After Lara won the organization's Rookie-level Dominican Summer League player-of-the-year award in his 2003 pro debut, the Red Sox' scouting report was that he had classic shortstop tools and his bat would determine how far he would go. If his first year in the United States is any indication, it could take him all the way to Fenway Park. Lara made BA's Top 10 Prospects lists in both the Gulf Coast League, where he hit .433 in a brief stay, and the New York-Penn League. A switch-hitter, he showed promising bat-handling ability and patience at the plate. He needs to get stronger and perhaps more aggressive at the plate, though he'll never be a power hitter. His speed and arm both earn 55 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale, and his instincts help him play above those tools in the field and on the bases. Counting big leaguer Edgar Renteria, Lara ranks just fifth on Boston's depth chart at shortstop despite his promise. He'll try to improve his standing this year in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Boston's player of the year in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 2003, Lara is a slick-fielding middle infielder with very good bat control. He's reminiscent of Tigers infielder Omar Infante but has better plate discipline. Lara hit .433 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before his promotion to Lowell. He'll add some muscle to his frame, but Lara never will be a power hitter. He concentrates instead on making solid contact from both sides of the plate. Managers also appreciated his defense, citing his plus range and average-to-plus arm strength. "He's going to play in the big leagues," Tri-City manager Greg Langbehn said. "He makes the hard play real easy. There are guys you see for one game, and you just know." -
Soto wasn't the only Red Sox shortstop who attracted attention. Lara hit .433 in 15 games, splitting time between his natural position and third base, before getting promoted to the New York-Penn League. Against older competition in the NY-P, he batted .277 with more walks (24) then strikeouts (23). Lara was named the organization's player of the year in the Dominican Summer League in 2003, his pro debut. At that point, his defense stood out more than his offense, and he continued to impress with his glove this year. He has very good hands and body control, allowing him to make all the plays at shortstop. Lara understands his role as a hitter. He has good on-base ability and speed and focuses on getting the most out of those tools. He needs to get stronger, and even when he does he won't be much of a power threat.
