Scouting Report

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

A corner outfielder from the Dominican Republic, Bonilla already shows plus raw power and is one of the best sluggers in the class.

Physically, he’s strong and mature with room to develop even more. And while his hit tool is a work in progress just like other prospects his age, Bonilla shows superior bat speed and the ability to hit fastballs hard to all fields. He has the potential to make an impact on the game each time he steps into the batter’s box.

On defense, he shows good instincts with a solid arm and could stick in center field. There’s a chance he could move to a corner position in the outfield as his body matures, and he’s athletic enough to play all three spots.

Bonilla trains with Ysbel Medina. The Blue Jays have shown interest in him.

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

The Blue Jays made Bonilla one of their biggest international signings in years, handing the young Dominican slugger a $4.1 million bonus in 2023. Bonilla was billed as one of the top offensive talents in that year’s class and showed some early flashes in the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .307 with an .836 OPS over 50 games. His game power hasn’t quite shown up (three homers) and his 55 strikeouts were an issue, but at 18, Bonilla is still one of the highest-upside prospects in this organization.

It’s already jarring to see Bonilla in person. After having the image of a baby-faced teenager when he signed with the Blue Jays, there's a double-take upon seeing Bonilla walking around the Blue Jays’ complex with braids and a full, thick beard. There are raw elements to his game, but the exciting power he flashes in batting practice should start spilling into games this season. His exit velocities are already showing progress from 2023, and while he isn’t quite at the level of Orelvis Martinez in that area, he’s getting there.

Bonilla seems destined for a corner outfield spot, which will need to be a greater focus for him in the coming seasons. He still moves very well for his size, so even if the Blue Jays can get Bonilla to the point that he’s playing a passable corner outfield, that’s enough to let his bat truly shine. His plate approach and strikeout rates are worth monitoring this year, but much like Arjun Nimmala, Bonilla is a dream project for this development staff and should benefit as much as anyone in the organization from the resources at the new complex. The long-term nature of said project remains a point of emphasis after Bonilla has struggled in the Florida Complex League this summer.

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

The Blue Jays made Bonilla one of their biggest international signings in years, handing the young Dominican slugger a $4.1 million bonus in 2023. There are years of development ahead for Bonilla, but the Blue Jays came away impressed with him after he took part in their instructs in the Dominican Republic after the signing. 

At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Bonilla will continue to add strength and size to a physical frame that is already very impressive. His hit tool will need to develop in the coming years as he learns about himself as a hitter and develops a professional plate approach, but his raw power and bat speed were among the very best in the ’22 international class. He will play some center field coming up, but as he continues to mature, Bonilla could soon profile as a corner-outfield thumper, and he’s athletic enough to be a solid fielder in left or right.

We’re still a couple of years away from seeing Bonilla with a full-season affiliate, but with his physical tools and age, he is a prospect the organization can dream on. He’ll benefit from climbing the ladder with the Blue Jays’ new player development complex at his disposal as he gets into the team's training program. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/21/2024	OF Enmanuel Bonilla assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
	03/21/2024	OF Enmanuel Bonilla roster status changed by Toronto Blue Jays.
	03/07/2024	Toronto Blue Jays Prospects activated OF Enmanuel Bonilla.
	09/19/2023	OF Enmanuel Bonilla assigned to FCL Blue Jays from DSL Blue Jays.
	09/19/2023	FCL Blue Jays activated OF Enmanuel Bonilla.
	03/23/2023	OF Enmanuel Bonilla roster status changed by Toronto Blue Jays.
	03/23/2023	OF Enmanuel Bonilla roster status changed by Toronto Blue Jays.
	01/15/2023	OF Enmanuel Bonilla assigned to DSL Blue Jays.
	01/15/2023	Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent OF Emmanuel Bonilla to a minor league contract.
	01/15/2023	DSL Blue Jays activated OF Enmanuel Bonilla.