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TopProspectAlert.com Minor League News & Autograph Blog Home


Top Prospect Alert - Alejandro Cadena

By Brian Brunk

DOB: 3/14/80, Age: 21, Height: 5’11’’, Weight: 205, Bats: R, Throws: R. Acquired: Mariners - Drafted in the 45th Round of 2000 Draft (Galveston College, Laredo, TX). 2000 Stats: (Rookie - AZ Mariners) .301 AVG, 123 AB, 9 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 0 SB, 15 BB, 12 K, .395 OBP, .496 SLG. 2001 Stats: (Rookie - AZ Mariners) .327 AVG, 217 AB, 21 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 4 SB, 14 BB, 23 K, .385 OBP, .530 SLG. (Sseason-A - Everett) .100 AVG, 10 AB, 1 2B, 4 K, .100 OBP, .200 SLG.
 
And now, we return to our seemingly weekly segment of: "The 2000 Peoria Mariners: Where Are They Now?" Alejandro Cadena was drafted as a catcher late in the 2000 amateur draft. After a fairly hideous display behind the plate, the M’s moved him to first base, where he might be able to play passable defense. More likely, he is a future DH in the making. He has a catchers’ build, short and squat, so he has very little speed, and projects to be only a moderate power prospect. He had an excellent season in 2000 for Peoria, exhibiting some pop, some patience, and a quick bat. This season was more of the same at the same level, a bit surprising for a 21 year old. An OPS of .915 is impressive, but many a player can generate numbers like this in Rookie ball, especially if they already weigh over 200 pounds (which most 18 and 19 year olds don’t). A full season league would be a much more appropriate test at this point.
 
The Mariners don’t have any terrific first-base prospects in the minors, so Cadena may have a shot with the position switch. I would expect to see him start in the Midwest League next year, but the M’s may choose to keep him in Everett to open the year. You can’t project a career track for a 21 year old with 340 Arizona Summer League at-bats (well actually, you can, it just doesn’t look very good), so I won’t bother to guess. He could turn into another Edgar Martinez with his moderate power, quick bat, and patience, which is what I’m sure M’s fans are hoping for. Being cynical, I would say that for every ten guys with numbers and skills like this at this point in their career, one might make it. Take that for what it’s worth


 

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