Solid Skills: Scouting Report On Colorado Rockies' Adael Amador

Forbes

15-04-2025

During the early games of spring training, Major League Baseball teams often give their top prospects playing time.
For this old scout, those early games call attention to exciting young players with skills that just separate them from other prospects.
The Colorado Rockies have such a player in second baseman, Adael Amador.
The switch-hitting Amador will turn 22 on April 11, 2025.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Adael Amador warms up before a baseball game against the Pittsburgh ... More Pirates, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Adael Amador was an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. He was signed by the Rockies for $1.5 million in 2019.
Amador was a shortstop in the Dominican, with the Rockies recently moving him to second base more permanently .
However, if the need arises, Amador is an average defender at second base.
Before being signed by Colorado, Amador was known to MLB scouting staffs, as he was a star of the Dominican Republic's U-15 Team.
The U-15 Baseball World Cup is a 15-and-under baseball championship.
Amador played tournaments across the Dominican and elsewhere for quite a while, earning a reputation as a very low-risk, high-reward potential major leaguer..
Amador is very athletic, with outstanding agility, and excellent baseball instincts. He is a student of the game, with an advanced feel for hitting.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 19: Adael Amador #1 of the Colorado Rockies in defensive position at second ... More base in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on June 19, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image)
The Rockies recalled Amador from Triple-A on April 13. He is now a member of their big league club.
Amador is 6-0, 200 pounds.
To be clear, Amador may never become an All Star.
He is, however, a very solid player with the ability to contribute to a major league club.
Especially with the Rockies. And especially with the huge outfield at Coors Field.
Watching him, Amador doesn't look to be overly strong, but what he may lack in brute strength, he makes up for in his loose, smooth approach.
Amador has outstanding bat speed, and is appropriately aggressive from both sides of the plate.
Amador has a knack for hitting, with a natural flow and rhythm to his hitting mechanics.
Amador makes excellent contact at the plate, with a good knowledge of the strike zone, and an ability to track pitches quickly and accurately out of the hand of the pitcher.
Amador has shown he may be a better hitter from the right side of the plate. But make no mistake, he can hit well from either side.
Amador knows the strike zone, and isn't shy about taking his share of walks. He will make a pitcher work, going deeply into counts, and having the ability to foul off nasty pitches.
Using a rather level swing, Amador doesn't flash much power, as he doen't always get much loft on the ball.
In essence, Amador is a line-drive gap hitter, making him an ideal candidate for the spacious outfield of Coors Field in Colorado.
Amador won't have to hit home runs at Coors.
He may be able to hit either gap consistently, and rack up doubles in bunches.
Amador runs well, but he has only average speed. He could steal bases, but it will be mostly due to his good instincts, rather than pure speed.
Defensively, Amador is adequate at shortstop, with good movement, but only an average arm. He does, indeed, profile better at second base.
Amador's first step quickness gets him to the ball, and he makes all the routine plays of an average defender. He likely won't win a Gold Glove. But he'll get the job done at second base.
Amador has completed parts of five minor league seasons. He has a slash line of .273/.384/.436/.820 in 1,579 plate appearances. He has only 47 career home runs.
Amador made his debut with the Rockies last June 9. He played in 10 games, and hit .171 in 36 plate appearances.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 10: Adael Amador #1 of the Colorado Rockies looks on against the Minnesota ... More Twins on June 10, 2024 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/)
Amador grades as an average major league baseball player
Adael Amador's has an excellent hit tool. He should continue to hit well enough to eventually earn a regular role as the Rockies second baseman.
Hitting is Amador's best, and most advanced tool.
Amador's major contribution my be hitting the gaps for doubles. Especially at Coors Field in Colorado.
Amador has little home run power. He runs well, but isn't fast. He plays defense well enough to make routine plays, but his lack of arm strength limits him to second base.
In essence, when all his tools are evaluated, Amador is a solid Grade 50, or an average major league regular.