2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #50 INF Aaron Bracho

Bracho rebounded offensively in 2023, but how big and real was that rebound?

Aaron Bracho Bio

• Age (2024 season): 23

• Acquired: International FA (2017)

• 2023 Level: Double-A

• Height: 5’9

• Weight: 193

• Bats: Left

• Throws: Right

Aaron Bracho 2023 Stats

• PA: 424

• AVG/OBP/SLG: 245/.340/.441

• 2B: 14

• HR: 18

• SB: 3/5

• K%/BB%: 22.9%/11.6%

• wRC+: 115

Aaron Bracho 2023 Scouting Grades

• Hit: 30

• Power: 45

• Speed: 40

• Defense: 40

• Arm: 45

• Overall: 35

• Risk: High

• ETA: 2025

Build & Background

The Venezuelan infielder was signed by Cleveland as part of it 2017 international signing class for a bonus of $1.5 million. Signed as a switch hitter, Bracho had a nice complex league debut and was one of the most highly regarded middle-infield prospects in Cleveland’s system with an advanced feel to hit and power. During the pandemic, Bracho was one of the team’s 60 player who were invited to the alternate training site to get simulated game reps and work with team coaches during the altered season. He had a short IL stint in High-A Lake County in 2021 but has been healthy most of his minor league career thus far. Bracho has always been short and stocky, but had strong legs where he could generate power from, though overall had a medium sized build with moderate athleticism. In 2023, Bracho stopped switch hitting and committed tojust hitting left handed.

What Bracho Does Well

Early on in his prospect days, it was thought that Bracho would have equally average hit and power tools, 50 to 55 possibly. These days, Bracho’s carrying tool is his power. He does possess plus raw power, but his game power is about fringe-average. Bracho has also always shown the ability to do a good job staying in the strike zone enough to work a healthy amount of walks. In 2023, perhaps with the decision to just hit left handed, was able to curb his strikeout rate at Double-A, which isn’t easy to do moving up levels. Even at age 22 in 2023, Bracho was still just under two years younger than the average age of the Double-A player, which will also be a point his favor with his rebound-type performance. He did play three infield positions last year, which is at least interesting in terms of what role he could have in the future.

Where Bracho Needs to Improve

Outside of power and being able to draw a walk, Bracho’s carrying tools are lacking. The power is a good one, a big one. But it might be chalked up as average at best due to his contact issues and inability to hit left handers last year as a now lefty-only batter (not that he was hitting either side as a switch hitter the last two years). Bracho also doesn’t offer even average defense anywhere. He’s not a quality defender at any of the three position he was at in 2023, but first base might be his best given his range and arm. Bracho will also not offer any speed on the bases. 

Key Numbers

Cutting his strikeout rate nearly 7% from High-A to Double-A is no easy feat, however, Bracho still has offensive drawbacks that make it skeptical to believe his rebound in 2023. In addition to his issues with left handed pitchers (.213/.295/.309), he also did most of his damage away from Canal Park, which is pitcher friendly (.683 OPS at home vs. .869 on the road) is a concern.

Intangibles

While Bracho still appeared at second base the most of any position in 2023, he also played at third base and first base the most times in a season in his career, showing the willingness to move around and be versatile for the good of his own career and the team. The move to only hit left handed after being a switch hitter also must have been a big decision as well.

Future

Bracho may need to be ready to move around the diamond again in Triple-A, where it’s possible Brayan Rocchio, Angel Martinez, and Juan Brito will be all getting at bats on the infield, in addition to possibly Ray Delgado, Daniel Schneemann, and Micah Pries will be, and maybe Kyle Manzardo? It’s a crowded infield. He could DH, and that might be Bracho’s best path. He can hit right handers, and Huntington Park is very hitter-friendly, which could make Bracho look good. Will his strikeout rate bump back up against Triple-A pitching or will that range stick now that he’s just hitting left handed? At best, Bracho probably projects as a fringe-defender that can play the corners, and second base, and DH, against right handers with some pop in his bat.

Role

35 - Infield bat depth/bench bat