Salomon Manriquez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #26 prospect in 2006
  Manriquez spent a few years as a utility player before finally getting a chance to catch every day at Potomac last year after Erick San Pedro was lost for the season in May. Manriquez wasted little time establishing himself as a good offensive catcher once he stopped looking over his shoulder. He's a solid gap-to-gap hitter who doesn't overswing and has some power, though he projects more as a doubles hitter with the ability to hit for average if he can cut down his strike zone a bit. Defense is the big question with Manriquez. He showed an average arm, throwing out 28 percent of basestealers, and improved at blocking balls under the tutelage of Potomac manager and former big league catcher Bob Henley. He still needs to improve his receiving skills and handle pitchers better. Playing every day could help Manriquez become a serviceable backup catcher with a decent bat off the bench. He'll likely start 2006 in Double-A.