WCH

Alex De Jesus, IF

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Scouting report

De Jesus signed for $500,000 as a slow-but-graceful big-framed infielder with feel for airborne contact. He became more agile and twitchy between when he signed and his pro debut in the DSL, and it was quickly evident that he was too advanced for that league, so the Dodgers pushed him Stateside, where his swing decisions were poor. Though he's especially adept at impacting balls toward the bottom of the zone, De Jesus has shown other hitter-ish traits early on. He adjusts his posture to alter his bat path depending on pitch location, and I've seen him make in-flight adjustments to breaking balls and wait for them effectively, all at age 17 against older pros in the AZL. But he does swing too often and that part needs to get better.The physical tools and body projection (DeJesus body comps to Manny Machado) are exciting, though. DeJesus has seen early-career time at shortstop, when on the day he signed it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he'd only play third base. He may end up back at the hot corner eventually but has a fair chance to stay up the middle. If he does, and he grows into all the raw power I think he will, he could be a star. If he kicks to third base, then hopefully the swing and miss rates from the 2019 season are just a result of him being 17 rather than a sign of things to come. (Dominican Instructional League)