Follow the Prospects: Jorgelys Mota, SS

[imref]

Someone to keep an eye on: 17 year-old SS Jorgelys Mota, playing in the DSL. He is the first player in our system younger than the Nationals team.

Signed for $250k in 2022 as an international FA. I can't find any scouting reports, he got lost in the shade of the Vaquero signing.

.275   .351   .802, 2 HRs, 4SBs in 51 ABs. through August 16

.382   .432   .647 in 34 ABs in August.

3-4, HR, BB, SB, on August 16.



Added on 3/9/24:
MiLB page - https://www.milb.com/player/jorgelys-mota-800195
There's a Baseball America scouting report behind a paywall - https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/20527-jorgelys-mota/
B-R page - https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mota--000jor
Baseball Cube - https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/241152/
Born 6/3/2005 in Sabana Grande de Boya

Looks like he played 3rd at both the FCL and Fredericksburg last year, and mostly 3rd in the DSL the year before. Listed in Baseball Cube at 6'3" 170, so I think that there may be an expectation he gets big for SS.

[zimm_da_kid]

Remember reading something about him in December/January around signing time cuz I’m a nerd.  Good to see he’s doing well

[imref]

3 errors yesterday. He’s ready!

[imref]

Maybe worth watching? Only 18, probably starts the year at F-Burgh

https://x.com/NationalsSource/status/1761525288360349877?s=20

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Maybe worth watching? Only 19, probably starts the year at F-Burgh

https://x.com/NationalsSource/status/1761525288360349877?s=20

Me jealous? No, your jealous.

[aspenbubba]

Me jealous? No, your jealous.

It's you're counsellor

[imref]

Turning some heads at camp:
https://x.com/NationalsSource/status/1766482580033962208?s=20

[nobleisthyname]

Why don't we have him in the master prospects thread?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Why don't we have him in the master prospects thread?

added.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Added some bio info to the opening post.

While he's listed as a SS when signed, he's been playing almost exclusively 3rd base.

Garren Ouilette at TalkNats had a profile back in 2022:
https://www.talknats.com/2022/08/27/10-radar-players-get-excited-nats-farm-system/

Early in 2022, the Nats signed SS Jorgelys Mota to a minor league contract from international free agency at 16.  The 6’3 athlete is now extremely tall for a teenager who just turned 17 in June. He is currently playing with the DSL (Dominican Summer League) Nationals. Not even technically an adult yet, he is hitting .262. With many years to grow in the Nats minor league system, watch out for Mota, because this kid has raw talent.

FWIW, the other guys in Ouillette's profile have had a high success rate - Irvin, Ferrer, Baker, Young, plus Pineda.

BA has him at #38 in our system:

38. Jorgelys Mota, SS

Mota had a great showing in 28 games at the complex level, however he struggled at Low-A. He was shut down for the month of September when he found himself on the IL.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/10-washington-nationals-prospects-to-know-beyond-the-top-30-in-2024/

[nobleisthyname]

Age: 18
Team rank: Unranked
Current level: FCL

May recap
Games played at position
3B: 17

PA

|

AVG

|

OBP

|

SLG

|

HR

|

SB

|

K%

|

BB%

|

ISO

|

OPS

|

wRC+

72

|

.132

|

.181

|

.250

|

2

|

3

|

30.6%

|

1.4%

|

.118

|

.431

|

14

[nobleisthyname]

Wanted to start tracking Mota after seeing him included in Fangraphs' top prospects list for the Nationals where he came in at #29 with a 35+ FV:

Mota signed for $250,000 in 2022 and had two strong statistical seasons to start his career, including a .296/.381/.439 line in 2023. He was sent back to the complex to begin 2024 and isn’t off to a great statistical start, but the tools and athleticism from last season are still here. Mota has filled out quite a bit since he was a contact-oriented amateur shortstop with a lovely swing. He’s much thicker in the lower body and has moved to third base, where his hands are inconsistent but his bend and actions are sensational. Mota swings hard for a player his age and is among the system’s leaders in hard-hit rate early in 2024, but strikeouts have been lurking below the surface while he has performed on the complex and he’s being punished more for them now. He’s a power-hitting sleeper near the bottom of the system, with early-career hit tool red flags preventing a heftier FV grade.