Rafael Flores
1B | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 3" 220LBS | Age: 24
MLB Pipeline Rank
PA AB R H HR SB AVG OBP SLG OPS
2024 273 241 40 66 15 6 .274 .359 .519 .878
Career Minors 954 830 120 226 31 11 .272 .365 .443 .808
AVG HR SB OPS
2024 .274 15 6 .878
Career Minors .272 31 11 .808

Standard Minor League Batting Statistics

SeasonTmLGLGPAABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSHBPAVGOBPSLGOPS
2022 FCL Yankees FCL ROK 4 14 14 4 6 1 0 2 6 0 3 0 0 0 .429 .429 .929 1.358
2023 Hudson Valley Renegades SAL A+ 105 434 382 49 99 15 1 8 41 49 108 3 1 2 .259 .346 .366 .712
2024 2 Teams Minors 122 506 434 67 121 31 0 21 68 66 128 8 1 5 .279 .379 .495 .874
2024 Hudson Valley Renegades SAL A+ 57 233 193 27 55 17 0 6 35 38 55 2 1 1 .285 .403 .466 .869
2024 Somerset Patriots EAS AA 65 273 241 40 66 14 0 15 33 28 73 6 0 4 .274 .359 .519 .878

Scouting Report

2024

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Flores spent two seasons at Cypress (Calif.) JC in 2019-20, sat out the next year and resurfaced at Rio Hondo (Calif.) JC in 2022. Signed for $75,000 as a nondrafted free agent by the Yankees after a big summer with the Alaska Goldpanners, he had a decent first full pro season in High-A before taking a step forward this year. His backstory is similar to that of Ben Rice, a fellow offensive-minded catcher/first baseman who got limited exposure in college but stood out in summer ball.

A right-handed hitter, Flores stands out with his plus raw power and some of the best exit velocities in the system. He has a pull-heavy approach that allows him to crush balls to left field, and he could tap into even more pop if he could make more consistent contact and launch more balls in the air. He doesn't chase pitches excessively but does have some trouble handling breaking pitches.

Though he's big for a catcher, Flores moves reasonably well for a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder. He needs a lot more reps behind the plate to improve his receiving, framing and blocking, and he also needs to refine his throwing mechanics and accuracy to get the most out of his average arm. He profiles as a power-hitting reserve who can fill in at catcher and first base.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
06/26/2024 C Rafael Flores assigned to Somerset Patriots from Hudson Valley Renegades.
05/10/2024 Hudson Valley Renegades activated C Rafael Flores from the 7-day injured list.
05/03/2024 Hudson Valley Renegades placed C Rafael Flores on the 7-day injured list.
03/07/2024 New York Yankees Prospects activated C Rafael Flores.
02/24/2024 C Rafael Flores roster status changed by New York Yankees.
02/24/2024 C Rafael Flores assigned to New York Yankees.
02/24/2024 C Rafael Flores roster status changed by New York Yankees.
02/24/2024 C Rafael Flores roster status changed by New York Yankees.
04/02/2023 C Rafael Flores assigned to Hudson Valley Renegades from FCL Yankees.
02/25/2023 C Rafael Flores roster status changed by New York Yankees.
02/25/2023 C Rafael Flores assigned to New York Yankees.
08/08/2022 C Rafael Flores assigned to FCL Yankees.
07/25/2022 New York Yankees signed free agent C Rafael Flores to a minor league contract.