Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Vaz’s dad, Roberto, played college ball for Alabama and is now a coach in the Cubs’ system. Vaz followed in his dad’s Southeastern Conference footsteps when he transferred from a Louisiana junior college to Vanderbilt and played his way to a starter’s role by his second season. The Royals drafted him in the 15th round of the 2022 Draft, but he quickly jumped onto the scene in his first full pro season. Between High-A Quad Cities and a late-season promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Vaz slashed .279/.373/.400 with 30 stolen bases, a 119 wRC+ and more walks (64) than strikeouts (50).

One of the best pure hitters in the Royals’ system, Vaz rarely swings and misses. His 3.3 percent swinging-strike rate ranked third-best among qualified hitters across all levels of the Minors. The left-handed hitter drives balls to the gaps at times, but he has well-below-average power. He makes that small-ball profile work since he’s a plus runner with aggressiveness that makes him a threat on the bases. Vaz is a versatile defender and got looks at second base, shortstop, center field and left field in ‘23, although second is his natural and best position because of his below-average arm.

Players and coaches rave about Vaz’s clubhouse presence and leadership skills. He’ll embrace any role, which makes him suited for a super-utility spot if he can add enough strength to play the outfield and learn the routine of moving around the diamond. Vaz won the inaugural Alex Gordon Heart & Hustle Award last year in the Royals organization.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45 

After transferring from a Louisiana junior college, Vaz grew into a starter’s role at Vanderbilt, first working as a bench player before starting all seven games of the team’s College World Series runner-up run. He was a full-blown starter in 2022 and hit .280 with an .893 OPS and more extra-base hits (21) than strikeouts (17). The Royals selected Vaz and signed him for $125,000, the maximum allowed at the time without dipping into the bonus pool. The former Commodore has spent his first full season as a solid performer for High-A Quad Cities. 

Plain and simple: Vaz does not swing and miss. As of late July, the left-handed hitter’s 2.8 percent swinging-strike rate ranked second-best among all 1,283 qualifiers from all levels of the Minor Leagues, and he was one of eight with a strikeout rate below 8.0 percent. That said, his impact on contact is well below average, and for a batter with an uppercut swing, many of his batted balls result in catchable fly balls. The Royals are pleased to leave him as is for now because the contact rate is so elite, but it’s worth wondering whether there will be a time when he’ll trade contact for a little more power. 

An easy plus runner, Vaz is aggressive and efficient on the basepaths when he reaches second, and the Royals have made the most of his speed by giving him looks at second base, shortstop, center field and left this season. A below-average arm makes him a better fit at second (where he’s received more starts), but Kansas City expects to keep moving him around as needed. Elite skills are rare by definition, and Vaz’s ability to put bat on ball commands following deeper into his career.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Omaha Storm Chasers activated LF Javier Vaz.
	09/17/2024	LF Javier Vaz assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
	03/07/2024	Kansas City Royals Prospects activated OF Javier Vaz.
	02/25/2024	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	11/03/2023	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Cangrejeros de Santurce.
	08/08/2023	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Quad Cities River Bandits.
	08/08/2023	Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated OF Javier Vaz.
	04/25/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits activated OF Javier Vaz from the 7-day injured list.
	04/22/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits placed OF Javier Vaz on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 13, 2023.
	04/05/2023	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
	03/04/2023	OF Javier Vaz roster status changed by Kansas City Royals.
	03/04/2023	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	08/05/2022	OF Javier Vaz assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
	08/05/2022	Columbia Fireflies activated OF Javier Vaz.
	08/01/2022	ACL Royals activated OF Javier Vaz.
	08/01/2022	OF Javier Vaz assigned to ACL Royals.
	07/26/2022	Kansas City Royals signed OF Javier Vaz.