2023 #15 Prospect Joshua Liranzo - 3B

[Tony-OH]

https://orioleshangout.com/2023/11/20/orioles-2023-15-prospect-joshua-liranzo-3b/

You want upside and ceiling, look no further than Joshua Liranzo who played all of 2023 at 16 years old in the Dominican Summer League showing a mix of plate discipline, power, and solid defense at 3B to come in as the #15 prospect.

Joshua Liranzo
Pos: 3B
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 16
2023 Level: DSL

Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 25/60
Game Power: 35/60
Raw Power: 40/60
Run: 50/50
Defense: 40/55

Most Likely Future Role: Too early
Ceiling: 1st Division Starting 3rd Baseman, All-star

What we know: Signed for just 500k in the 2023 signing period, this hard hitting third baseman looks like the standout of the class so far. Despite being one of the youngest players in the league and never facing a pitcher younger than him and after a slow start when he may have been pressing, the 6-foot-3 really took off and by the end of the year was one of the team's best hitters.

He already hits the ball as hard as anyone on the team and after a slow start, he slashed .304/.463./511/.974 with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, and a fantastic 21 BB to 23 K ratio over 121 PAs. His 116 wRC+, .397 WOBA and 21.1% line drive percentage all speak to his potential. While he has pull power now, as he fills out it's expected that he will have power to all fields.

One scout believes he's better than Fernando Tatis Jr. was at the same age. He works out with major leaguers and and that same scout believes he could very well be the next Samuel Basallo when it comes to blowing up on the prospects scene.

Defensively Liranzo moves well and has a plus arm at third base and should be a solid defender there with a chance to become very, very good. He's an average runner but stealing bases won't be part of his game at upper levels.

What we don't know: Obviously we don't know a lot because he's so young and so far away. Will he continue to grow? How will he adjust to full season ball?

What we think: The way Liranzo finished off his first professional season along with the tools he brings to the field at such a young age gives him a tremendous ceiling. His ability to make adjustments mid-season suggests good aptitude to learn, and combined with his above average strike zone judgement, suggests he's got a chance to be pretty special. He'll most likely play in the FCL next year as a 17-year old.

[Sports Guy]

Really promising report.

 

Tony, how does he compare(offensively) to Basallo at the same age?

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Really promising report.

 

Tony, how does he compare(offensively) to Basallo at the same age?

He's more advanced with plate discipline at the same age and maybe a tad behind in raw power. The Orioles think they have a steal in this kid. He could very well be in the top ten next year if he can put up an impressive year in the FCL next year at 17-years old.

[Sports Guy]

Just now, Tony-OH said:

He's more advanced with plate discipline at the same age and maybe a tad behind in raw power. The Orioles think they have a steal in this kid. He could very well be in the top ten next year if he can put up an impressive year in the FCL next year at 17-years old.

Think there’s any chance he sees Delmarva by the end of the year or is that too much?

[LookinUp]

Wow. Noted. Will follow.

BTW, unless Tony did some scouting in the DR last year, this is all based on reports from the O's. Very promising.

[Frobby]

Basallo DSL: .239/.338/.410, 5 HR, 19 RBI in 154 PA.

Liranzo DSL: .244/.393/.400,  5 HR, 23 RBI in 201 PA.

Pretty comparable.  Both played in the DSL at age 16.  Liranzo is actually about two weeks younger relative to his class than Basallo was.  

[Frobby]

It’s good to see a steady stream of international amateurs getting established on our list.   Last year we had:

11. Basallo

18. Bencosme

21. Tavera

23. Estrada

25. Prieto

29. Amparo

30. Arias

So far this year it’s:

2. Basallo

12. Tavera 

14. De Leon

15. Liranzo 

So, last year we had no international amateurs in our top 10, and only Basallo in the top 15.   Now we have Basallo as the No. 2 prospect and three other guys in the top 15.   Possibly still to come: Almeyda, Estrada, Arias, Sosa and others.   

 

 

[Tony-OH]

51 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Think there’s any chance he sees Delmarva by the end of the year or is that too much?

Unless he's absolutely tearing up the FCL next year, it would be out of character for the Orioles to push a 17 year old to Delmarva. Basallo got a full FCL season.

As exciting as these guys are, we have to be patient for them to get to full season ball. Next year Liranzo would have been senior in high school if he grew up in the states. 

[Frobby]

2 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Unless he's absolutely tearing up the FCL next year, it would be out of character for the Orioles to push a 17 year old to Delmarva. Basallo got a full FCL season.

I agree with you, but wouldn’t completely rule it out.  The fact that Basallo is a catcher means you can’t always promote him based solely on his bat.  Liranzo doesn’t have that constraint.  That said, he’s so young that there would be no reason to move him if he was merely having a season similar to what Basallo did in the FCL (.774 OPS).  Heck, they didn’t promote Tavera (.812) or Sosa (.872).  So, it would probably take .900+ to consider moving Liranzo to Delmarva.   

[jabba72]

Quote

One scout believes he’s better than Fernando Tatis Jr. was at the same age. 

Um, wow. Our international signings have really turned the corner under Elias to put it mildly.

[interloper]

Well alrighty then. He's officially on the radar. 

[btdart20]

Liranzo was 'sorta' on my radar for the K%, BB%, and blooming power, but the write-up is next level!  Tatis-level praise!  Heck, Basallo-level praise!  

The way too early "Maybe 5 years in a row with a #1 prospect" comment! 

[Frobby]

55 minutes ago, jabba72 said:

Um, wow. Our international signings have really turned the corner under Elias to put it mildly.

I don’t know how you’d tell if Liranzo is better than Tatis at this age.  Tatis didn’t play in the DSL, and didn’t play pro ball at age 16 at all.  

[Just Regular]

A young 6-3 third baseman, Manny Machado is a very easy and familiar template to just watch the growth and see if he can approach that neighborhood.

Signing bonuses wise last 1.15, it looks like he got the 2nd place "Gunnar" slot to Almeyda's Adley top bonus.

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

I don’t know how you’d tell if Liranzo is better than Tatis at this age.  Tatis didn’t play in the DSL, and didn’t play pro ball at age 16 at all.  

Because the person who told me worked out and saw both at the same age.