Eliezer Alfonzo is ranked no. 29 on the MCB Top 30 Detroit Tigers prospects list as we kick things off.
Enrique Jimenez, the catcher, came in at number 30 on our list of the Top 30 yesterday. Thus, we write up Eliezer Alfonzo, a catcher in the Detroit Tigers system, at number 29.
You’re coming to the end of your High- school career in the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan, area.When the call comes, you’re going to conclude your Double-A season in Erie, Pennsylvania. As your team moves on to the postseason, things get even better. Not only are you a member of a championship squad by the end of the season, but your management has also recognized your clutch play during those two weeks. Eliezer Alfonzo, a prospect catcher for the Detroit Tigers, experienced just this.
After the SeaWolves lost Julio Rodriguez to injury in the postseason, Alfonzo—whose name is also that of his father—was trusted enough to manage the staff for Erie. His father played in six MLB seasons with the Giants, Padres, Mariners, and Rockies.
Alfonzo has progressed well through the minor league ranks. In 2019, he was one of the last Connecticut Tigers players selected for the New York-Penn League All-Star game. He batted.318 with a.342 on-base percentage and a.374 slugging percentage. Alfonzo returned to the minor leagues in 2021 after a break, hitting.300 in his time with Lakeland and West Michigan. He doesn’t have much power; with the Whitecaps, his isolated power (ISO) was just over.107. Nevertheless, he shows excellent plate discipline, striking out at a rate of under 10% in 2023.
Alfonzo is a switch hitter who is recognized for having a stocky frame, which is characteristic of a catcher. He demonstrated greater power in 2023, hitting right-handed and launching eight home runs off right-handed pitching. Additionally, he continued to bat this side better, averaging.269 as opposed to.253 versus lefties. Alfonzo stands at the plate with his feet wide apart and the bat squarely over his right shoulder. His front foot moves little, creating a compact swing that allows him to regularly make firm contact with the ball.
In a November interview, Alfonzo talked about the mentoring he had from Jose Ovalles, a former catcher for the Tigers and Dominican Summer League instructor. He remembered discussing with Ovalles his difficulties batting left-handed and his thought of concentrating only on right-handed striking. Ovalles encouraged him to keep going, promising that he would eventually develop self-control and a better left-handed swing. (From Spanish into English)
Alfonzo has concentrated on improving his defense. Though his arm strength behind the plate is regarded as average, he is well-known for his ability to call games and frame pitches well. But his batting ability and openness to teaching have been what have distinguished him at every level and made him a viable backup option in the major leagues.
Prospect lists frequently feature Jimenez and Josue Briceno, and with good reason—their offensive stats are excellent considering their age. But Alfonzo has proven his hitting prowess at every level time and time again. This season, the most important question is whether he can continue to play at this level in Double-A. If he does well, it might open the door for him to be added to a major league squad.
