Scouting Report

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

The town of Samaná rests off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic and has emerged as a bustling tourist destination. Close to one hundred players born there have gone on to play for Major League organizations, headlined by Hanley Ramirez, Brayan Bello and Yordano Ventura. Horton is the premier prospect coming from the city in the 2026 class, a high energy player that has lots of in-game experience under his belt. He’ll still be just 16 years old as the signing period opens, giving him plenty of time to capitalize on his exciting potential as an impact player both in the box and with the glove.

A left-handed hitter, Horton shows great balance at the plate and a natural feel for putting the barrel on the ball. He walks more than he strikes out and is known as an above-average contact bat, one who is presently more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter but scouts point out that he could grow into double-digit home run pop in time. 

Horton’s athleticism is his carrying tool, putting it to use particularly on the basepaths, where he is both a savvy and quick runner. He fits the mold of a top-of-the-order threat that can also pick it defensively, where his smooth glove actions aid in him making the tough defensive plays look routine. While he has just an average arm that may eventually force him off shortstop, evaluators rave about the all-around package that is tied together by his competitiveness.

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

“A person’s a person, no matter how small,” is, of course, a quote from the Dr. Seuss classic “Horton Hears a Who?” Now, that wasn't about this Horton, a shortstop who ranked No. 9 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 International Prospects list and signed with the Angels for $2 million when the 2026 signing period opened in January. But the Dominican infielder is 5-foot-9, so perhaps the passage is apt after all.

Hailing from the same town in the Dominican Republic that produced big leaguers like Hanley Ramirez, Horton is a super-athletic left-handed hitter with all the tools to stay up the middle. He has a smaller frame, but he’s already shown in competition that he has good balance at the plate and a natural feel for finding the barrel. He has a solid approach with above-average contact skills and has sneaky pop. It's more gap-to-gap right now, but he could grow into double-digit home run power in the future.

Horton’s speed and twitchy athleticism are assets on the basepaths and in the field. He has the ingredients to stick at shortstop, with smooth actions. The Angels think he has plenty of arm for the position, with the chance to be a premium defender, but in a worst-case scenario, he slides over and becomes a plus second baseman. He gets very high marks for his makeup and high energy style of play.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	02/24/2026	SS Jeyson Horton assigned to DSL Angels.
	01/15/2026	Los Angeles Angels signed free agent SS Jeyson Horton to a minor league contract.