2023 Cleveland Guardians prospect scouting report: #40 OF Wuilfredo Antunez
The young unheralded international signing from 2019 turned some heads in 2022 and will be one to watch in Lynchburg in 2023
d & Background
Antunez is a native of Venezuela, signing with the Guardians in 2019 as an unheralded international free agent for just $10,000. He’s got a medium athlete build for an outfielder with very little projection left in his compact frame. Short levers and strong wrists.
What Antunez does well
A short, compact stroke with some strength to it is the best known skill for Antunez right now. There hasn’t been much seen from Antunez unless you were watching ACL games in 2022 live in person. In his brief stint at Low-A before his injury, he showed the ability to impact the pull with strength in his compact swing. He’s got at least average speed and has a chance to stick in center field. There are interesting raw tools in the frame.Â
Where Antunez needs to improve
It’s hard to say where the strengths and weaknesses are in Antunez’s game right now. What’s important for his future is that he adds some strength to finish off his frame and already strong forearms and wrists. He’ll have to be careful not to fill out too much because his profile might need to work better in center.
Intangibles
Hard to say much about Antunez’s intangibles yet but he was an underrated signing and has put himself on the radar already and should be hungry.
Future
There are some good raw tools and upside in Antunez’s belt. It looks like his compact swing should give him ability to make good contact and he could have enough strength for raw average power. He has the ability and range to get the ball in center with speed. There’s not a ton of physical projection so he might need to stay in center to have a chance to be an average regular. There’s a long way to go but he’s someone to keep an eye on. He doesn’t have a boom or bust profile and doesn’t come with high expectations but there is a strong ceiling there if things pan out.
Role: 40 - Ceiling of an average centerfielder or potential org filler outfielder
