The shortstop headlined the Rockies’ international signing class in 2024
22. Ashly Andujar (206 points, 24 ballots)
Andujar was the headliner of Colorado’s international free agent class last January, earning a $1.7 million bonus as the 18th ranked international prospect at MLB.com as a well-rounded offensive and defensive player. The now 17-year-old 6’1” switch-hitting shortstop spent his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League as expected (since he was one of the youngest players in his signing class), where he was 1.7 years younger than league average.
In 229 PA, Andujar fit right in with a .292/.376/.352 line that included ten extra-base hits and 17 steals in 25 attempts, good for a 105 wRC+. Andujar walked in 9.6% of his plate appearances and struck out in 13.5% of them. On defense, Andujar committed 14 errors in 45 games at shortstop. Overall, it was a strong debut for a new signee, though, of course, I’d like to see a bit more power.
Here is some video of Andujar before he signed with the Rockies, including some looks at him at shortstop and his swing from both sides of the plate:
Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs ranked Andujar as a 40+ FV prospect and 19th in the system earlier this month, with a plus run grade and a 55 future hit and field tool evaluation:
Amateur Andujar was billed as a speedy, contact-oriented infielder who should be a long-term shortstop fit, and that remains true. He only K’d 13.5% of the time last year and slashed .291/.376/.352. He is still very skinny and frail looking, but at just 17, that’s fine. The foundation of a good baseball player is here, now Andujar needs to layer on strength. It might take a few years yet, but once he does that, he should break out.
MLB.com ranked Andujar 26th in the system as a 40 FV player last year, getting 50 or better tool grades on everything except a 40 on power:
Andujar is a switch-hitter who has shown some offensive upside from both sides of the plate. He finds the barrel consistently with high contact rates, rarely strikes out and isn’t afraid of hitting with two strikes. Right now it’s gap-to-gap thump, at best, but if he can add strength to his frame, there should be more power to come in the future.
While he isn’t a burner, that added strength should allow Andujar to add speed as he matures as well, and he’s already aggressive on the basepaths and likes to steal. He has all the makings of a solid shortstop, with soft hands and an arm that could eventually be plus. His defensive tools play up because he has excellent instincts and awareness to go along with a good internal clock.
As an up-the-middle player who was a seven-figure international signee, Andujar is joining a recent tradition of PuRPs, including Adael Amador, Robert Calaz, and Dyan Jorge. He’s a long ways away, but his athleticism provides a good foundation for him as a potential regular, so long as he doesn’t end up a Punch-and-Judy hitter. We’ll see if the Rockies keep him in the DR next year or if he plays in the ACL — my bet is he returns to the DSL but makes a cameo stateside. The potential and performance so far were enough for me to rank Andujar 25th on my list as a 40 FV player amid a number of other interesting shortstop prospects in the system.