Emanuel Vizcaino

Position: RHSP
Level: Rk
Affiliate: GCL Blue Jays
League: Gulf Coast League
Born: 08/24/1999 (Age: 24)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 180
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent 7/4/16 (TOR)

Prospect Spotlight

Signed for just $50K as part of Toronto’s 2016 J2 class, Vizcaino is an example of how valuable bargain-bin shopping on the Dominican amateur market can be. He’s now looking like a sleeper prospect in the Jays’ organization, an intriguing blend of fastball velocity and breaking ball feel. Just 18-years-old, he’s wiry and athletic with a frame that can support at least 20 pounds more muscle. He doesn’t repeat his delivery consistently, but there’s room to streamline the mechanics with more strength and pro polish. Vizcaino comes from an OT slot with a quick arm, albeit with some stiffness in the back of his arm-path.

The fastball sits in the low-90s with touches of 93-to-94 mph at best, hinting it could be a plus-velocity pitch down the road. Vizcaino spins a hard curve relative to the velo on his heater, working at 76-to-78 mph with his breaking ball and flashing sharp spin. Like many teenage pitchers, he’s inconsistent with the shape and quality of the pitch, but his curveball shows enough glimpses to project at least an average big league pitch. He mixes an infrequent changeup that will need development in the future.

Vizcaino has a high ceiling, but at his age and phase in the development cycle, he’s an extreme risk prospect with a variance of future outcomes. He has the ingredients of a #4 starter, but will need to get stronger and refine his off-speed stuff and location to reach that peak. It would be a good sign if Vizcaino is ready for a full-season affiliate next season, though there’s a chance Vizcaino is raw enough to be held back in Extended Spring.