Luis Jimenez: Top Angels Prospect Performance #6

6) Luis Jimenez, 1/18/88 - 3B, Single A, High A

.288/.326/.506 with 14 HR and 21 SB. +8 bat, +16 glove, 3.85 WAR

Booyaaaaah! - who saw that +16 glove coming?  Especially from a player returning from career threatening shoulder surgery who was handled with kid gloves through the first half?  Jimenez showed great instincts, lateral range, and a cannon arm at third in 2010, making him the closest in-system candidate  to giving the Angels a little help at third base.  He's a fantastic presence in the clubhouse, so gregarious that Eddie Bane began referring to him as "the mayor" in spring training last year. It's unclear if that tag has won out over his rookie ball nickname, "Lucho."  All that said,  his bat comes with some questions: how much longer will his high contact rate carry him if he doesn't develop better plate discipline? Will he rediscover the homerun pop that made him stand out in rookie ball, even as he moves into the upper minors?  Will he hit righties well enough to play against them everyday?  Unfortunately, Jimenez didn't get a chance to begin answering those questions in winter ball, since I suspect Wood's placement in the AFL robbed Jimenez of the opportunity to play there.  The big Arkansas park will be a challenge for him. A big contract to Adrian Beltre would be an even bigger challenge to him.