Cleveland Guardians 2023 prospect scouting report: #17 INF Juan Brito

Brito has an impressive hit tool and patience but is it good enough to carry the rest of his profile? His ranking here suggests it could...

Build & Background

Short, compact middle infielder’s build. Strong lower half and legs. Not much room left for projection in frame. Acquired from Colorado in 2022 the day rosters had to be set ahead of the Rule 5 draft for Nolan Jones. 

What Brito does well

Brito may have a better than average hit tool thanks to his ability to make contact alone and his patience. He has short levers and is quick to the ball. Very small leg lift/tap for timing. Gets foot down quick with quick swing. Good bat speed. Able to lift the ball fairly well. Solid defender at short and second. Could get to whatever pop he will have thanks to contact ability and lift the ball.

https://twitter.com/JL_Baseball/status/1646291340764872705?s=20

Where Brito needs to improve

Still needs to add strength to impact the ball better. Likely will have fringe average power. Not as good of a runner for a middle infield prospect. Thrown out nine times in 26 tries in 2022. Questions about his defense could limit his overall value if he’s locked in at second base. Bat will have to be special.

Intangibles

Impressive, mature approach at the plate. Cleveland went out and targeted Brito as a plate and skill set, so that should say a lot about their pursuit of Brito as a player and fit in this organization.

Future

Brito has a good enough approach to at the plate and contact skills to potential profile as a bat first regular. There are *some* similarities to Jose Ramirez, but Ramirez ran better and was and is a better defender. As a switch hitter who can work counts, play potentially up the middle, there are a lot of tools that could emerge somewhat quickly. But Brito is already on the 40 man roster, so his clock to be called up before he runs out of options makes things interesting. Also that the upper levels of the minors have several middle infield prospects that are further ahead of him adnd might occupy playing time ahead of him, but his spot on the 40 and being further away does complicate things. 

Role: 45 - Potential top of the order type infielder with contact skills or backup infielder with strong approach at the plate.