Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Angels gave out nine bonuses that were six figures or higher at the start of the 2019-20 international signing period. Placencia got the second-highest bonus the organization awarded, signing for $1.1 million. After the lost 2020 season, the infielder made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League and struggled, though he had more success moving to full-season ball in 2022. Moving up one rung on the organizational ladder in 2023, Placencia showed off some patience at the plate before getting a late taste of Double-A and heading to the Arizona Fall League for some extra work.

In some ways, Placencia is ahead of the curve in hitting the upper levels of the system and not turning 21 until June. A switch-hitter who was much better from the right side with Tri-City last year, he has shown some thump and high exit velocities. He’s drawn a ton of walks in his two years of full-season ball, with a career 16.1 percent walk rate heading into 2024. He’s going to have to tone down the strikeouts (29.4 percent career K rate); better swing decisions will help him with that and doing more damage at the plate, as will added strength.

Signed as a shortstop, Placencia can still play there in a pinch, but it’s clear that second base is his best spot defensively and where he would play should he be able to develop into an everyday guy at one position. That will only happen if he can refine what he does at the plate and make more consistent contact.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Angels went aggressively after middle infield talent at the start of the 2019-20 international signing period, giving Arol Vera, Jose Bonilla and Placencia bonuses of $600,000 or above. Placencia got $1.1 million to sign and after a rough-looking line in his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021, he started showing off the offensive skills that made him an intriguing amateur prospect with a move to full-season ball in 2022.

As one of the youngest players in the Single-A California League in 2022, the switch-hitting Placencia consistently hit the ball hard, routinely posting high exit velocities. Though he needs to get stronger, he did tap into some power during his full-season debut. With that increased extra-base authority came some more swing-and-miss, with a strikeout rate north of 30 percent, but he does have good knowledge of the zone and showed it with a 16.2 percent walk rate.

Placencia continues to get reps at both middle infield positions, but because of his lack of speed, most see him settling in as a second baseman if he is going to play one spot full time. He spent most of the offseason working out in Arizona, and if he can continue to focus on getting stronger, he has the chance to be a big league regular on the right side of the infield with some offensive impact.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

In a perfect world, the 2019-20 international signing class will provide the Angels with their future big league double play combination, with Arol Vera and his $2 million bonus at shortstop and Placencia, who got $1.1 million, at second base. The Angels liked Placencia’s feel to hit, one he showed off at instructs after the pandemic-induced layoff, but he struggled to replicate that when he hit .175/.326/.343 during his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021.

Despite the rough line, Placencia did show some signs of a decent approach with patience from both sides of the plate. At times, he’d see a lot of pitches and drew walks, but then he’d get out of his approach and the swing and miss was concerning. Some of the teenager’s metrics are encouraging, with promising exit velocities, but he needs to add strength in order to be able to impact the ball more consistently.

Signed as a shortstop, Placencia saw more time at second base during his pro debut. He’ll likely keep getting reps on both sides of second base, but his below-average speed points to the keystone as a more likely destination if he’s going to develop into a big league regular in one spot. His ability to refine his approach at the plate and drive the ball with more authority might dictate just what kind of role he’ll fill in the future.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

There were six teams that handed out more than one seven-figure bonus during the 2019-20 international signing period. The Angels were one of them, giving out a total of $3.1 million to a pair of middle infielders: Arol Vera, who got $2 million, and Placencia, who signed for $1.1 million. Like most from the signing period, Placencia didn’t get to do much baseball-wise until the Angels held instructs last fall.

During his time in front of player development staff, Placencia impressed with how he handled himself in the batter’s box. Both boxes, actually, as the switch-hitter showed he can have competitive at-bats from both sides of the plate. He has an advanced feel to hit and a better approach than many players his age, showing good knowledge of the strike zone. There isn’t a ton of strength right now to help him impact the baseball, but there is some raw power to tap into down the road as he matures.

While Placencia scuffled a bit defensively at instructs, that was more as a result of rust than anything else, as the infielder has good hands and instincts that should allow him to stick up the middle. Because of below-average speed, many feel his best chance at sticking at a regular spot will be at second base.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 40

The Angels handed out two seven-figure bonuses to a pair of middle infielders in the international market when the 2019-20 signing period began. Arol Vera got $2 million while Placencia was given $1.1 million to join the organization, and both will be making their professional debuts in 2020.

Right now, the thing that stands out the most for Placencia is his advanced feel for hitting and plate discipline, especially considering he turned 16 just a month before he signed. He uses his hands well from both sides of the plate to generate bat speed. He can make hard contact, though his swing does get long at times. While Placencia lacks present strength or power, it’s something he’s already working on, and the Angels think there might be better than average raw power to tap into eventually. 

A below-average runner, Placencia does move well defensively with excellent instincts and good hands. That will give him the chance to play shortstop for now, though many feel he’ll end up moving over to second base, where he could establish himself as an everyday player alongside Vera up the middle of the Angels’ infield.

Awards

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/09/2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/20/2024	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
	06/20/2024	Tri-City Dust Devils activated SS Adrian Placencia.
	04/02/2024	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from Rocket City Trash Pandas.
	03/07/2024	Los Angeles Angels Prospects activated SS Adrian Placencia.
	09/22/2023	Scottsdale Scorpions activated SS Adrian Placencia.
	09/01/2023	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Rocket City Trash Pandas from Tri-City Dust Devils.
	04/03/2023	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
	03/05/2023	SS Adrian Placencia roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
	03/05/2023	SS Adrian Placencia roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
	03/05/2023	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
	09/28/2022	SS Adrian Placencia and assigned to Angels Organization.
	04/07/2022	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from ACL Angels.
	03/25/2022	SS Adrian Placencia roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
	03/25/2022	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
	06/28/2021	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to ACL Angels from DSL Angels.
	02/14/2020	SS Adrian Placencia assigned to DSL Angels.
	07/02/2019	Los Angeles Angels signed free agent SS Adrian Placencia to a minor league contract.