Esmerlin Vinicio, LHP
DOB: January 31, 2003
BATS: L  /  THROWS: L
ACQUIRED: International Signing, July 2nd 2019
LAST LEVEL: N/A
VOLATILITY: High

No Stats

GiantFutures Ranks: #9 Starting Pitcher

Performance: Since Vinicio was just signed in 2019, he hasn’t had the chance to play in any professional games yet. 

Strengths and Weaknesses: Vinicio’s biggest asset from his early scouting reports is that even at 16, he already had a good, consistent arm action, and a strong approach.  He also has better command than most 16 year olds would.  

His stuff is not yet outstanding, but he was already throwing in the low-90’s when he was signed at 16, and flashed a plus curveball.  He throws a changeup, but that, like other pitches, will need to be developed.

The only weakness that can be said so far is that he’s a skinny kid.  His weight has been reported at both 140 lbs and 165 lbs (the 140 being reported by Baseball America in their pre-2020 rankings, the latter when he was signed in 2019.  Either way, he’ll need to build strength to make the Majors.

2021 Outlook: With no professional games under his belt, it’s pretty much a sure thing that Vinicio starts his year in extended Spring Training, and makes his debut in the Arizona League.  There’s a chance they may keep him in the Dominican Summer League, but Zaidi has been very aggressive with his higher ceiling prospects.

Future Profile: Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com says that if Vinicio develops, he “has all the ingredients to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter”, and that seems pretty spot on.  There’s a long ways to go, but if Vinicio does have the command advertised upon his signing, he could stay in the rotation long-term.  If not, the bullpen isn’t a bad landing spot.