Jose Constanza

Jose Constanza - Outfielder
Age: 24 Height: 5'9" Weight: 150 Bats: Switch Throws: Left

	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007 Kinston	.274	112	445	71	122	13	4	2	34	39	80	39	.334	.335	.669
Career	.311	447	1719	310	535	59	42	6	166	207	256	157	.387	.405	.792

Constanza had a breakout season in 2006, hitting .309 with an .820 OPS and 39 stolen bases in 120 games combined at Lake County and Kinston. Constanza has outstanding bat control and bat-to-ball ability, and very good baseball instincts. He put himself on the radar screen back in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) in 2004 when he hit .444 and lead the league in just about every offensive category except home runs. The Indians were so impressed with Constanza's showing in the DSL in 2004, that they started him in Lake County in 2005, which is unheard of for players in the Indians academy in the Dominican Republic to start with a full-season squad in their stateside debut. The last player to do so was Jhonny Peralta. Constanza returned to Kinston last year, but struggled after a breakthrough performance there in 2006 when he hit .327 in 76 games. For the first time in his career, his plate discipline took a step back as he had a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio where in years past it was more a 1:1 ratio. Constanza projects as a fourth outfielder because of his speed, defense and limited pop in his bat, and may eventually break in with the Indians in such a role down the road. He should open the season in the Akron outfield.

Video: Constanza at the plate.

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