Jancel Villarroel
C | Bats/Throws: R/R | 5' 8" 176LBS | Age: 19
MLB Pipeline Rank
ASTROS: No. 27 |
PA AB R H HR SB AVG OBP SLG OPS
2024 227 193 30 45 2 7 .233 .339 .321 .660
Career Minors 540 444 97 123 10 19 .277 .399 .423 .822
AVG HR SB OPS
2024 .233 2 7 .660
Career Minors .277 10 19 .822
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Standard Minor League Batting Statistics

SeasonTmLGLGPAABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSHBPAVGOBPSLGOPS
2022 DSL HOU Orange DSL ROK 10 31 21 10 8 1 1 1 3 9 5 2 2 0 .381 .567 .667 1.234
2023 DSL Astros Orange DSL ROK 47 200 163 46 51 14 0 5 29 28 32 6 4 8 .313 .435 .491 .926
2024 2 Teams Minors 76 309 260 41 64 12 3 4 41 31 71 11 5 16 .246 .359 .362 .721
2024 FCL Astros FCL ROK 22 82 67 11 19 3 2 2 13 11 14 4 3 4 .284 .415 .478 .893
2024 Fayetteville Woodpeckers CAR A 54 227 193 30 45 9 1 2 28 20 57 7 2 12 .233 .339 .321 .660
Fayetteville Woodpeckers CAR A 54 227 193 30 45 9 1 2 28 20 57 7 2 12 .233 .339 .321 .660

Scouting Report

2024

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

Villarroel has one of the more unusual profiles in the Minors. Signed for $10,000 out of Venezuela in June 2022, he's a 5-foot-8 catcher with solid speed who also has seen time at five other positions in his U.S. debut this summer. He's an intriguing hitter who could wind up as some sort of version of Isiah Kiner-Falefa with more thump if not Gold Glove defense.

Villarroel may be undersized but does offer surprising strength and a quick right-handed stroke. He produces higher exit velocities than most 19-year-olds and should have at least 15-homer power, perhaps more if he learns to drive the ball in the air more consistently. He manages the strike zone reasonably well and shows a willingness to use the opposite field.

If he remains at catcher, Villarroel won't retain his present quickness. He has solid arm strength but his receiving, blocking and throwing are all works in progress. He also has started games at first base, second, third, left field and center this year, and moving him to a less demanding position would enable the Astros to get more out of his bat.



Awards




Transactions

Team Date Transaction
06/18/2024 C Jancel Villarroel assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros.
04/03/2024 C Jancel Villarroel assigned to FCL Astros from DSL Astros Orange.
03/13/2024 C Jancel Villarroel assigned to Houston Astros.
07/29/2023 DSL AL All-Stars activated C Jancel Villarroel.
08/04/2022 C Jancel Villarroel assigned to DSL HOU Orange.
08/03/2022 Houston Astros signed free agent C Jancel Villarroel to a minor league contract.