Jose Vinicio

Vincio spent his second consecutive year in the Gulf Coast League (rookie level), and the switch-hitting shortstop showed some improvement at the plate. The Red Sox are waiting to see if he can get better at the plate; he currently has good defensive tools. He's a slight-framed kid who doesn't project to grow his way out of shortstop, though scouts feel he needs to develop some strength improve his offensive and defensive tools. He needs more polish and more patience, but is still very young and learning. After two years in the GCL, it would seem the organization would like to test him at the Low-A level, perhaps at Short-Season Lowell.

Vinicio, 17, is obviously quite young so nothing should be read into his .253/.290/.373 slash in the Gulf Coast League other than that he handled himself well against older competition. Ahead of schedule in terms of defense, Vinicio is very raw offensively. He'll need to show more selectivity and improve his contact rates. It would be nice to see how he fares at Short-Season Lowell, but the organization will wait a few years to see him develop physically and see the strides he makes offensively. There's a limit to what his frame will accept, but there's potential for gap power. We'll be looking to see if he can draw more walks and make better contact in 2011 wherever he lands.