Blue Jays Nation’s Pre-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 40: Yhoangel Aponte

5 months ago

No Blue Jay prospect hit more home runs in the rookie leagues that the player we’re going to look at today.

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual pre-season list, in which I’ll take a look at the top 50 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.

Let’s take a look at Yhoangel Aponte

Getting to know Yhoangel Aponte

Position: Outfielder

Bats: Right

Born: February 12, 2002

Acquired: 2021 International Free Agency

2023 Team: Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays

Previous Ranking: 41

The Blue Jays signed Aponte to a signing bonus of $360,000 during the 2021 International Free Agency period. He made his organization debut in 2021 with the Dominican Summer League Jays, slashing .240/.393/.357 with no homers in 163 plate appearances, along with a 15.3 BB% and a 27 K% for a 121 wRC+.

In 2022, the Jays moved Aponte to the Florida Complex League where he slashed .212/.291/.329 with three homers in 165 plate appearances, along with a 7.9 BB% and a 29.1 K%. His 77 wRC+ this season was the lowest of his career.

Aponte bounced back in a big way during the 2023 season as he repeated the FCL level. He slashed .231/.344/.462 with a career-high eight homers in 183 plate appearances. His BB% also increased to 11.5%, but his K% remained high at 32.8%. Overall, he had a 109 wRC+ with the FCL Jays in 2023.

The 19-year-old also has some experience in A ball, as he was a late season call up to the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. In 24 plate appearances, Aponte slashed .350/.458/.650 with a homer, along with a 16.7 BB% and 29.2 K%.

Aponte has only ranked on one list so far this season, as he’s Scott Mitchell’s 28th-best prospect. Mitchell notes that Aponte has filled out his frame and it’s led to more power, but the swing and miss remains an issue. It’s also worth noting that Aponte got a Jackie Bradley Jr. comparison with the glove early in his career, notes Mitchell.

It’s likely that Aponte will start the 2024 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays. He’ll need to cut down the swing and miss as he climbs the ladder to A ball, but the power surge is interesting and he’s evidently got a solid eye at the plate.