One prospect appears to quickly move up organizations’ top prospect lists each year. Jose Tena, a shortstop who is 18 years old, might be that player for the Cleveland Indians early in the 2020 season.
Tena is ranked sixth in the Tribe’s hierarchy, according to Keith Law of the Athletic, on a list that differs significantly from other lists.
Law describes Tena as a “tremendous athlete with superb actions at shortstop and good speed” who is “badly underappreciated” in the Indian system.
According to MLB Pipeline, the Dominican Republic finished the 2019 season at No. 25 after starting the year unranked. Overall, that is not a significant increase, but Pipeline shows that the teen’s hit tool and run tool, as well as his overall score, are on the rise (up from 50 to 55 and 50 to 55, respectively) (40 to 45).
No one, including Law, is currently bullish on Tena as more than a predicted Major Leaguer. He currently receives criticism for his lack of power and dubious arm strength for the position due to his 5-foot-9, 160-pound physique.
Tena appears to have made some swing adjustments between FanGraphs’ study in 2019 and Law’s assessment last month. The earlier review noted that the lefty’s cut is “a little longer,” whereas Law observes “extremely quick hands at the plate” that “rifle the bat across the zone.”