Signed for $1.7 million during the 2022 international signing period, Braylin Tavera made the jump to the Florida Complex League in 2023 and flashed the five tools that makes him the #12 prospect.
Braylin Tavera
Pos: CF
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 18
2023 Level: FCL
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 25/50
Game Power: 30/50
Raw Power: 30/55
Run: 60/60
Defense: 45/60
Most Likely Future Role: Too Early
Ceiling: 1st Division Center Fielder
What we know: The 18-year old Dominican showed off his five tools down in the complex league despite a few nagging injuries that lost him some playing time. The right-handed hitter made strides in many areas including more than doubling his ISO (.076 to .159), cutting his K% (25.4% to 16.5%), cutting his Swinging Strike % (26.8% to 16.5%) while increasing his WOBA (.385 to .395) and OPS (.730 to .812) from his DSL debut last year.
His 22 to 23 BB to K ratio showed an ability to control the strike zone and his 13 SBs in 35 games flashed his speed and base stealing abilities though he did get caught five times. As one of the youngest players in the league, he only had two PAs against pitchers younger than him.
Defensively, Tavera has good range, a solid average arm, and reportedly shows enough speed and instincts to be able to stay there as he moves up the chain.
What we don’t know: Obviously there are a lot of unknowns with him being so far away from the major leagues. How will he handle the jump to full season ball next year? Can he stay healthy all year? Will his power take another step forward?
What we think: He’ll play all of 2024 at 19-years old and should start the year in A-ball (Delmarva). He outperformed Samuel Basallo in the complex league (.812 OPS to .774 with a much better K-BB ratio) but was six months older at the same time. Tavera has an above average eye at the plate and that should help him in his jump to full season ball next season, but don’t expect the same Basallo ascension.
