Ramón Laureano -- Prospect Evaluation
Prospect Evaluation sources for Ramón Laureano of the San Diego Padres
The Oakland Athletics acquired outfield prospect Ramon Laureano from the Houston Astros on November 21, 2017, sending pitching prospect Brandon Bailey to Houston in return. Laureano, 23, was placed on the 40-man roster with RHP Bobby Wahl outrighted to make room.
Laureano had a breakout 2016 season posting a 163 wRC+ between High-A and Double-A, earning recognition on multiple prospect lists including MLB Pipeline and John Sickels' Top 200. However, his 2017 season was inconsistent, slumping in the first half (.227/.298/.369, 87 wRC+) before rebounding in the second half (213 PAs: .263/.322/.479, 121 wRC+).
The prospect's primary strengths are his speed and defensive arm. He has stolen 67 bases over two seasons at a 78% success rate and posted 16 outfield assists in 2017. MLB Pipeline scouting grades him as a 45 overall with his best marks in running (60) and arm strength (50). He is capable of playing all three outfield positions, with better performance on the corners and left field than center.
Analysts view Laureano as a potential leadoff candidate who could develop into a high-OBP player with 10-15 home runs annually if he can reduce his strikeout rate (21.4% in 2017, improving to 19.7% in second half). Keith Law rated him as at least an everyday player trending toward above-average regular, while John Sickels praised his strike zone judgment, speed, gap power, and defense.