Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report


	Raimel Tapia Born: 02/04/1994 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 175
	Primary Position: LF
	Secondary Position: CF

Extremely thin frame. High waisted. Will add weight but hard to imagine breaking 200lbs.

Evaluator	Ryan Parker
Report Date	07/02/2014
Dates Seen	ST, 5/28-31, 6/27
Affiliate	Asheville Tourists (Low A, Rockies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Video
2016	Moderate	65	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	70	It takes time to appreciate the hitting ability Tapia has. You can get thrown off by the body, the stance, or what he is working on in BP that day. Some days in BP you will see him do nothing but hit line drives up the middle or to the left side. Other days he will put on a show and let it fly. No matter what he is doing his swing is very easy, well timed, and balanced. In games he sprays the ball to all fields. His swing is fluid and the ball is coming off his bat hot. His goal is simple at the plate, get the barrel on the ball. He accomplishes this more often than not thanks to an innate ability to manipulate himself and/or his bat to make sure he's squaring up the baseball.
Power	50	The power could actually play higher as Tapia fills out and adds strength. That being said Tapia will never be known for power and that's almost a compliment. He can put on a show in BP but in games he saves those type of swings for when he is sitting 2-0 or 3-1. He won't give away an at bat seeking to hit a home run and end up flying out. You make a mistake and he will punish it. Tapia is going to hit 300 but if he goes a month without seeing a pitch he can put over the fence then so be it.
Baserunning/Speed	70	From a pure footspeed view Tapia is a 6. 4 seconds down to first base with a solid first step out of the box. His grade gets raised thanks to his base running skills. He is a pest when he's on base. He stealing percentage isn't great currently as he is very hit and miss on his ability to get good jumps. He's at his best when the ball is in play and he's running. He picks up the third base coach early, doesn't waste motion trying to jerk his head around to spot fielders, he can slide around tags. Instincts are incredible.
Glove	60	On any other club he would be a CF but will work in LF for Rockies. He is coming through the minors with David Dahl who is better in CF. Tapia gets good jumps but sometimes you will see him take slow small steps but breaking out into a full run. This could be him just getting used to reading the ball at a corner spot. Doesn't have great top end speed. Everything is good defensively and Tapia's natural athleticism carries him to a 6 grade but nothing is elite.
Arm	50	Quick arm but can get on the side of the ball at times and throw sinkers from the outfield. Arm is just fringe right now but I like the mechanics and I like the arm speed. Gets rid of the ball quick for an outfielder. Will never be strong enough for RF but plays well in left and center.

Tapia can straight up hit. First 7 I've ever put down on a hitter and I did so with confidence. He makes adjustments during at bats and during his own swings that are usually unseen at this level of minor league ball. Great instincts all around. Hopefully he can add some weight and strength to his frame. Could handle center easily. Top of the order hitter who could either be a table setter or clear the table himself. Special bat.