By Tony LastoriaFOX Sports Ohio
Name: Jesus AguilarPosition: First BaseTeam: Double-A AkronAge: 22Height: 6’3”Weight: 250Bats: RightThrows: Right2013 Stats: .288 AVG (21-for-73), 9 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 10 BB, 21 K, .739 OPS
Facts & Info: Signed out of Venezuela in November of 2007 and last season was selected as a participant for the Futures Game played over All Star weekend. Last season he finished 6th in the organization in home runs (15) and 4th in RBI (71).
The Offense: Aguilar is a big, hulking menace that is put together well with impressive size and strength and looks like an NFL tight end. His best tool by far is his well above average power thanks to his very strong upper body and strong lower half, and when he barrels up the ball he can hit it a long way and he destroys pitches to the inner half of the plate. He will probably never hit for a high average in the upper levels of the minors or big leagues and he has some plate discipline woes as he strikes out a lot, but the Indians can live with that if his power produces as expected as a power run producing bat.
The Defense: Aguilar was originally signed as a third baseman and played first base and outfield his first pro season, but since then has only played first base. He is an underrated defender and what may be most impressive about him is that for a guy his size he is actually quite athletic and agile, and has made the strides defensively where he has the ability to be at least an average Major League defensive first baseman.
The Intangibles: Aguilar’s versatility is limited as he is a below average runner and lacks the ability to play any other position except maybe left field. He continues to make significant strides with his body, his strength, his power, and his nutrition, and is a battler that fights through struggles on the field and is willing to work to get better. He is an incredible student that is open minded and very receptive to instruction from coaches.
The Focus: Aguilar’s plate discipline and approach needs refining as has a tendency to expand the zone and chase balls low and away. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and draw more walks, which comes down to pitch selection and bringing a consistent approach to the plate every at bat. Also, for a player his size and with all his power he plays small as his power numbers should be better. He needs to more consistently show his power which can be helped by getting him to be more balanced with his swing and better identifying pitches he can drive. In the field he just has to continue to improve his footwork as he is a little bit limited with his range because of his size.
The Crystal Ball: Aguilar is a guy that a lot of Indians fans and the organization themselves are excited about because good right-handed power is hard to find. He certainly has that and then some, and is arguably the best power prospect in the entire system. He is without question the best first base prospect in the organization; however, it does not mean he is destined for stardom or a good Major League prospect. That said, he shows an ability to make adjustments and it is only a matter of time before everything clicks for him and he just takes off, and he looks like a potential solution in the near future at first base in the big leagues for the Indians.
