Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Jorge Alfaro might currently be the best-known catcher from Colombia in the big leagues, but the Royals are hoping Viloria can join him full-time soon. Signed in July 2013 for $460,000, the third-highest international bonus the organization doled out in that signing period, Viloria has shown abilities on both sides of the ball at times and the Royals thought enough of his maturity to call him up from the Class A Advanced Carolina League to the big leagues last September.
Because of his potential on both sides of the ball, some evaluators think Viloria has the chance to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues. He's shown an advanced approach from the left side of the plate and doesn't strike out much. While it hasn't shown up much in the stat line yet, there is some raw power for him to tap into. Viloria has a very strong arm behind the plate, one that has thrown out 35.7 percent of potential basestealers. He's a good blocker, but the rest of his receiving needs to get more consistent. At times, he'll be very good, then he'll do something like let a fastball tip off his glove.
Viloria's tendency to see himself as an offensive-minded catcher has kept him from developing all of his skills fully. His time in the big leagues, where he saw how All-Star Salvador Perez prepares, should help him realize the work he needs to put in to be Salvy's eventual successor. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 109 19 2 10.5 85.3 4.0 .255 .387 .271 .290 .412 36.8 31.0 3.4 2019 594 94 1 1.1 85.0 2.3 .179 .234 .236 .211 .259 27.7 29.7 6.8 ALL 703 113 3 2.7 85.1 2.6 .192 .260 .242 .223 .284 29.2 29.9 6.2 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 07/16/2019 Kansas City Royals recalled C Meibrys Viloria from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 04/04/2019 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Omaha Storm Chasers. 03/25/2019 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 03/22/2019 Kansas City Royals optioned C Meibrys Viloria to Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 09/01/2018 Kansas City Royals recalled Meibrys Viloria from Wilmington Blue Rocks. 03/13/2018 Kansas City Royals optioned C Meibrys Viloria to Wilmington Blue Rocks. 11/20/2017 Kansas City Royals selected the contract of Meibrys Viloria from Lexington Legends. 04/03/2017 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Lexington Legends from Idaho Falls Chukars. 03/04/2017 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Kansas City Royals. 06/11/2016 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Idaho Falls Chukars from Burlington Royals. 04/06/2015 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Burlington Royals from DSL Royals. 07/07/2014 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to DSL Royals from Burlington Royals. 05/30/2014 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to Burlington Royals from DSL Royals. 02/26/2014 C Meibrys Viloria assigned to DSL Royals. 07/02/2013 Kansas City Royals signed free agent C Meibrys Viloria to a minor league contract.
