Scouting Report

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

Signed for just $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Brito hit .295/.406/.469 in three seasons in the Rockies system and ranked among the Single-A California League leaders in most offensive categories in 2022. The Guardians liked his hitting ability and traded Nolan Jones to get him in November 2022. While Jones had a strong rookie year in Colorado, Brito continued to hit and finished his age-21 season in Triple-A. 

A switch-hitter, Brito controls the strike zone and makes consistent contact from both sides of the plate. Though he's a strong 5-foot-11, 202-pounder with the ability to pull pitches and drive them in the air, there are questions about his power potential. His proponents thinks he hits the ball hard enough to provide 20 homers per season, while other evaluators see more fringy pop and note that 27 of his 31 long balls in his first four seasons came as a left-handed hitter. 

Brito will derive most of his value from his offensive production. He has fringy speed and got caught stealing (eight times) more than he succeeded (seven) in 2023. He lacks smooth actions and possesses just average arm strength, so he's far better suited for second base despite seeing time at shortstop and third base. Cleveland has introduced him to first base and right field this year, looking for ways to potentially get his bat in its lineup. 

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

Somewhat of an afterthought in the Rockies' 2018-19 international class, Brito signed for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic. He hit everywhere he went in Colorado's system, batting .295/.406/.469 in three seasons and ranking among the Single-A California League leaders in most offensive categories last year at age 20. Intrigued by his bat, Cleveland traded Nolan Jones to acquire Brito in November and added him to their 40-man roster. 

A switch-hitter, Brito makes hard contact with a quick, short stroke from both sides of the plate. He controls the strike zone well, walking more than he struck out in his first three years as a pro, and he shows some aptitude for turning on and lifting pitches. There are mixed reports on his power upside, though he's considerably stronger than his listed weight of 162 pounds, and the Guardians think his exit velocities could portend 20-homer production. Fifteen of his 17 long balls through 2022 came as a left-handed hitter. 

Brito is aggressive on the bases despite possessing just fringy speed. He's a decent, if not especially fluid, defender with an average arm at second base. Cleveland has several more gifted middle infielders in the system, which could push him to left field and put more pressure on his bat. 

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

While the Rockies’ 2018-19 international signing class won’t pay any big league dividends for a while, it does have representation on their Top 30. It starts with Warming Bernabel and includes Juan Guerrero, both of whom got six-figure bonuses to sign in July 2018. Brito also signed at the start of that signing period, getting just $60,000 to join the organization out of the Dominican Republic. He’s shown off some offensive upside since, making his debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019, his United States debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021 and a solid full-season showing in Single-A in 2022.

Wherever Brito has been, the switch-hitting infielder has shown a knack for contact and an advanced approach at the plate. He’s short and quick to the ball from both sides of the plate, consistently finding the barrel. He combines those swing mechanics with excellent pitch recognition and strike zone discipline, with more walks than strikeouts in his career through 2022. While he’s more hit over power, his in-game pop is starting to show up more, and he could eventually have average power. 

Brito’s lack of speed doesn’t keep him from being aggressive on the basepaths, but it does limit him to playing second base. He’s a solid enough defender to stay there, though it’s his bat that will give him the chance to reach the big leagues as an offensive-minded middle infielder.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

CAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2022

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
07/17/2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/20/2024	Cleveland Guardians activated SS Juan Brito.
	10/01/2024	Cleveland Guardians recalled SS Juan Brito from Columbus Clippers.
	03/13/2024	SS Juan Brito assigned to Cleveland Guardians Prospects.
	03/12/2024	Cleveland Guardians optioned SS Juan Brito to Columbus Clippers.
	02/01/2024	Cleveland Guardians activated SS Juan Brito.
	10/19/2023	SS Juan Brito assigned to Toros del Este.
	10/02/2023	Cleveland Guardians recalled SS Juan Brito from Columbus Clippers.
	09/19/2023	SS Juan Brito assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron RubberDucks.
	05/26/2023	SS Juan Brito assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Lake County Captains.
	04/05/2023	SS Juan Brito assigned to Lake County Captains.
	03/15/2023	Cleveland Guardians optioned SS Juan Brito to Columbus Clippers.
	11/15/2022	Cleveland Guardians traded 3B Nolan Jones to Colorado Rockies for SS Juan Brito.
	11/15/2022	SS Juan Brito assigned to Lake County Captains.
	07/01/2022	Fresno Grizzlies activated SS Juan Brito from the 7-day injured list.
	06/16/2022	Fresno Grizzlies placed SS Juan Brito on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 15, 2022.
	04/05/2022	SS Juan Brito assigned to Fresno Grizzlies from ACL Rockies.
	06/28/2021	SS Juan Brito assigned to ACL Rockies from DSL Rockies.
	05/31/2019	SS Juan Brito assigned to DSL Rockies.
	07/07/2018	Colorado Rockies signed free agent SS Juan Brito to a minor league contract.