Chris Gimenez

Chris Gimenez - Catcher
Age: 25 Height: 6'2" Weight: 190 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007 Kinston/Akron	.264	113	382	76	101	20	1	26	66	59	86	4	.373	.526	.899
Career	.261	387	1355	225	353	92	6	60	210	170	310	16	.374	.470	.844

History: Gimenez was drafted in the 19th round of the 2004 Draft out of the University of Nevada, and in his professional debut with Mahoning Valley in 2004 he hit an impressive .300 with 10 HR, 38 RBI and a .946 OPS. The next two seasons in Lake County, Gimenez battled through two freak injuries, a severe staph infection in 2005 that almost led to the amputation of his leg, and in 2006 an injury to the ligament in his thumb while sliding into second base. As a result, his numbers suffered in 2005 (.234, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 758 OPS) and 2006 (.255, 10 HR, 40 RBI, .802 OPS). His power was put on display at the Carolina League All Star Game last year where he won the Home Run Derby.

Strengths & Opportunities: Gimenez is an athletic player who can play all over the field and do a lot of things. Without any injury setbacks last year, Gimenez resurrected himself as a top hitting prospect in the system with excellent power potential. He has shown that when he is healthy, he can put up big numbers. Gimenez is a physically imposing specimen, and with his chiseled physique arguably may be the strongest player in the Indians system. He impressed early in a midseason callup to Akron, and even was named Eastern League Player of the Week. But, after a hot start in Akron, pitchers found his weaknesses and he did not make proper adjustments, so he slid quickly and eventually was sent back to Kinston.

In 2006, Gimenez was converted to a catcher, and the move to catcher has sort of made him a jack-of-all-trades in that he can play virtually anywhere on the field except the middle at center field, shortstop and second base. The Indians are committed in developing him as a catcher and believe he can handle the position.

Gimenez's success last year was the result of a lot of hard work in the cages with Kinston hitting coach Jon Nunnally, and focusing his approach on getting into good hitter's counts and learning to lay off pitches that are un-hittable. Because of this hard work, his walk-rate improved to where at Kinston he walked (50) almost as many times as he struckout (55). Gimenez still needs to work on staying down through the ball with his swing to generate more backspin when he connects. He has the tendency to get the bat in the right position, but he generates a lot of topspin because he does not follow through with his swing path which leads to him cutting it off and rotating his shoulders. If he starts to consistently generate more backspin on his hits, his home run and double totals will surely increase.

Outlook: When he has been healthy, Gimenez has shown much value. Gimenez has more than made a name for himself in a utility role, as not only does he play catcher, but he also plays the outfield, third base and first base. If he can continue to hit and show good power as he climbs the minor league ladder, he could be a very valuable bench option for the Indians as a super utility player because of that versatility and his powerful bat. Gimenez should open the 2008 season as the number one catcher at Akron.

Video: Gimenez at the plate and Gimenez taking batting practice

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