Edgar Quero is the #3 prospect in the LA Angel top 30 list, MLB Pipeline also placed him in their Top-10 list of the best backstops in Minor League Baseball (MiLB). In addition, the prestigious magazine The Athletic also put the kid from Cienfuegos as the 93rd best prospect in their top 100.
Quero took a big step forward last year, displaying a feel for swing the lumber, something that impressed the angelinos and gives him a leg up on a major league career because catching is a position where one doesn’t necessarily need to be an accomplished hitter.
Quero signed with Los Angeles for $200,000 just shy of his 18th birthday in 2021, but due to the pandemic he entered 2022 with just 39 games of pro experience, meaning he has plenty of room to keep improving behind the plate and in the batters box.
A gift for himself and the @trashpandas!@Angels No. 3 prospect Edgar Quero rips a game-tying double in the 9th on his first day as a 20-year-old: pic.twitter.com/m7oqMRkwKc
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 7, 2023
It doesn’t look like he’s going to get much stronger, yet he still hit 17 jacks last year. He was also elected the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the California League (CAL) in 2022.
Scouting report:
Quero is a switch-hitter with a good approach from both sides of the plate, displaying unusual plate discipline for his age and experience. He also shows a penchant for good quality contact. That means even with 17 home runs last year in the California League (a good place to hit), he projects to be more of a high average/OBP guy that will hit 10-15 home runs a year in his prime. He has the ability to become an above-average defensive catcher, but he’s still not as consistent behind the plate.
Season (2022):
In 2022 he saw action in 111 games in Class A with the Inland Empire 66ers where he slashed .312/.435/.530/.965, swatting 129 hits, 35 doubles, two triples, blasting 17 home runs, drawing 73 bases on balls (14.2%) , stealing 12 bases and knocking in 75 runs. He also led his team in runs scored (86), hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, OBP (.435), SLG (.530), and OPS (.965) on the season.
Projection 2023:
With his debut projected for 2025 with the big club, the Angels are placing a lot of confidence in the young catcher, but they should not rush the prospect to the big show. In 2023 season, he has started in AA and picked up right where he left off last year slashing .333/.467/.417/.884 to commence the young campaign. If this continues Quero will be ahead of the curve in his development and knocking on the door to the big leagues.