Deep Dynasty Dives: Omar Carrizales

Hailing from the land of future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera, Omar Carrizales was born in Maracay, Venezuela. He started out as a pitcher, but his fastball lacked the needed velocity for pro ball. After this initial rejection, Omar adjusted. He became an international free agent as an outfielder, and the Colorado Rockies signed him for a bonus that might not even show up on the payroll: $30,000. If you have read my profiles before, you know that I like to take a look at potential stats and makeup, followed by what could block him from his potential.

First, his tools were not exactly eye-opening on the international market. However, since coming into the system, Omar has adjusted. He has made himself into a far better player than he was. He has a bit of power, probably enough to hit seven to ten in the homer happy Coors Field. He has buckets of speed, with which he could steal upwards of forty to fifty bases. That, my friends, is enough to keep him in the top five of the stolen base leaderboards. His, best tool, however, is his hit tool, and it will almost certainly play up because of his Major League ballpark, and he could hit well over .300. A centerfielder like this does not come around too often, and he would be a very nice edition to the Rockies come two to four years.

Take a look at the easy swing and watch his wheels here.

He clearly is an extremely hard worker, and he profiles as very talented at adapting. Any time you can switch positions on a dime to fulfill your Major League dream, you prove that you will not stick to one thing until it fails you. Omar did this exceptionally well, and he proved that he can and will adjust. This tends to separate the men from the boys, and any good Major League hitter can and will make these adjustments.

There are, unfortunately, a few things holding Omar Carrizales back. First, he is very, very raw. For instance, his base stealing rates may be high, but he has been caught twelve of thirty-three times (36%) this year alone. If he is going to make it as a base stealer, he needs to improve and mature in this area. If he is up at all in 2017 I would be surprised. He could potentially conquer High A next year, AA the next, and half a year at AAA, but his rawness suggests he may need to repeat a level at some point. His risk factor is as high as anyone in the Minor Leagues. I am betting, though, that his hard work ethic creates a drive to reach the Show that will let him push past boundaries. Left field could be his to take in 2018, as Carlos Gonzales will be a free agent, but I would hesitate to pencil him in just yet. Omar has a long way to go. Making it to the show alone would make him worth the thirty thousand dollars Colorado signed him for. Is he worth the bet in a Dynasty League? It depends how deep the league is. If it is deep enough to have him in there, I would very much appreciate getting invited to this league as I have been looking for one for years.

I think one can accurately place the Leonys Martin comp on him as the big leaguer he most resembles. He, like Omar, steals a lot of bases, has a nice, easy two handed finish to his lefty swing which he uses to propel a strong batting average, and flashes the occasional homer. He has the potential to be a fantasy stud. His work ethic is great, and his A-Ball Hitting Coach lauded him by telling reporters one day,"Great guy, great athlete who works hard, and that's showing in his numbers." If this kid fulfills his potential, watch out.