Jimenez= The New Trout?

[Lifetime]

Really? 

[Lifetime]

5. Luis Jimenez 3B

Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 6’1” 217 lbs. DOB: 1/18/88

Salt Lake Bees: .309/.334/.495 with 16 HRs and 17 SBs

Luis "Lucho" Jimenez continued his solid minor league campaign with a fine 2012 showing in Triple-A. Jimenez posting a .309/.334/.495 slash line to go along with 16 home runs, 38 doubles and 85 runs batted in just 122 games. In six seasons of minor league action, Jimenez boasts a .302/.338/.518 slash line.

Jimenez has a quick, smoke stroke at the plate and stays back and drives breaking balls well. Some scouts wonder if Jimenez's power will play out in the big leagues since he's such a free swinger, but his plate coverage bodes well in RBI situations, as he's been clutch over the years with men on base with quite a few late inning heroics. Jimenez has 390 RBI's in 529 minor league games. While Jimenez has posted solid minor league numbers, his plate discipline is a concern, as he's walked just 98 times over six minor league seasons. Jimenez is average defensively, makes all the routine plays and possesses a strong arm, but he's heavy footed which hurts his range. Lucho has below average speed but he's reads pitchers well, giving him the ability to steal 15-20 bases a season.

If Jimenez turns heads in Tempe he could challenge Alberto Callaspo for the starting third base job and serve as a major league bridge to Kaleb Cowart's arrival down the road.

[John Taylor]

So far from what I've seen, Jimenez is a combination of David Eckstein/Erick Aybar, bringing a lot of energy out there to a team that sorely needs it, he will most likely average out, but I do like what he brings to the team, especially right now.

[mopuddin]

anyone have any speculation as to what that attempted chin check and mad dog session between jimenez and pujols could have possibly been about?

 

interesting stuff right there.

[Angelsjunky]

I think ScottyA nailed it, including his emphasis on Lucho bringing something unexpected that helps the team do better. I do think he could surprise and steal 3B from Callaspo. But it comes down to how well he can adjust when pitchers start figuring him out. At best I think he could be a "Baby Beltre" - hit around .280 with 15-20 HR, 35+ 2B, an .800 OPS and very good defense, which would make him a very good player. But he could also struggle more and hit .250/.700 with 10-15 HR, which would still be decent enough to hold down 3B until Cowart is ready.