Isaac Paredes

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #6 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers acquired Paredes with Jeimer Candelario in the 2017 trade that sent Alex Avila and Justin Wilson to the Cubs. Paredes quickly established himself as one of the top up-and-coming hitters in the Tigers’ system and, after a strong showing at Double-A Erie in 2019, made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2020. He appeared in 34 games down the stretch and hit .220 with one home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paredes doesn’t have the most athletic figure, but he can hit. He has long displayed an understanding of how to handle opposing pitchers beyond his years and boasts elite strike-zone discipline. His approach and advanced barrel control yield above-average contact ability, and his mix of strength, approach and feel for the barrel give him a chance to hit for average power. Paredes came up as a shortstop but is purely a third baseman now with his portly, fully developed frame. He has the arm strength for the hot corner and projects to hit enough to profile at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes is in line to be the Tigers’ Opening Day third baseman in 2021. He has enough offensive skill to be a first-division player, but he’s going to have to watch his fitness.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #5 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Paredes' bat is what made him a valuable pickup for Detroit when they acquired him in July of 2017 from the Cubs in a deal for catcher Alex Avila and lefthander Justin Wilson. After reaching Double-A as a 19-year old during the 2018 season, Paredes returned in 2019 and posted a career-high in homers (13) and hits (135) as the second youngest player in the league. He didn't chase much at all out of the zone and drew nearly as many walks (57) as strikeouts (61).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Natural bat-to-ball skills and elite plate discipline are the highlights of Paredes' profile. He hits for some power and projects to be above-average in that department. He will have to move from shortstop to third base, where his hands will play, although executives wonder if his maxed out frame means he will ultimately end up at first base. Paredes has arm strength but needs to work on throwing mechanics and consistency of his throws. At best, his range projects as fringe-average. While he won't clog up the bases, he is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes' ability to mash should get him to the big leagues. With developing power, it's conceivable that he will get the chance to be an everyday regular even with fringe-average defense.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #3 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After signing with the Cubs in 2015, Paredes was traded to the Tigers in the July 2017 deal that sent Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to Chicago. He stood out in 2017 as an 18-year-old shortstop who swatted 11 home runs with a low strikeout rate. He added 15 more homers in 2018 as he reached Double-A as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paredes’ innate knack for putting the barrel on the ball gives him the potential to be a plus hitter. He has a contact-oriented approach with average power. It’s a pull-heavy approach and all his power is to his pull side. Equipped with an above-average arm, Paredes is viewed as an average defender at second or third base, who can move around the diamond if necessary. Scouts do not believe he has the range to stick at shortstop. Though he is a below-average runner and already has a stocky frame, his hands and consistency on the defensive end should allow him to stay in the infield.
  
  The Future: Paredes profiles as a first-division regular at second base thanks to his offensive potential. His defensive versatility only adds to his value. He should split 2019 between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo with a chance to make his major league debut in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #7 prospect in 2018
  If not for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Fernando Tatis Jr.'s standout seasons, Paredes would have generated plenty of an attention as an 18-year-old shortstop who hit 11 home runs, drew walks and didn't strike out much. Along with Jeimer Candelario, he was acquired from the Cubs for lefthander Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila at the end of July. Even if his stats don't fully indicate it, scouts saw him as one of the better pure hitters in the Midwest League. He showed a consistent ability to square up balls, while showing pitch recognition, a whole-field approach and the plate discipline of an older, more experienced hitter before wearing down in August. He should be at least an above-average hitter and he has a chance to hit 15-20 home runs a season. Defensively, there's much less consensus. Paredes' thick trunk draws comparisons to Jhonny Peralta, but more often, players with Paredes' build end up moving to second or third base. With an above-average arm, soft hands and good instincts, he should be able to stick at either spot if he stays on top of his conditioning. Paredes' ultimate ceiling depends on how his body develops. If he doesn't get much thicker, Paredes could stick at a premium defensive position where his well-rounded offensive toolset will make him an asset. He should be one of the younger players in the Florida State League in 2018.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #29 prospect in 2017
  The Cubs scout Mexico aggressively, in part because money spent on players there doesn't all count against their bonus pool. Only the portion the players receive counts, while the percentage that goes to the Mexican League club that owns those players' rights doesn't. Chicago signed Paredes away from the Mexico City Red Devils for $800,000, and he was advanced enough to jump to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2016. There, he hit well enough to earn a late cameo at low Class A South Bend and started all three of its playoff games. He went 1-for-11 with two errors. Paredes is squat and somewhat thick for a shortstop, earning Jhonny Peralta comparisons. But, he has great hands that play at the plate and in the field, and he has surprising agility with nimble, quick feet. An average runner, Paredes has an above-average arm that may work at third base if he has to move. A veteran of Mexico's 15U national team, he is an advanced hitter for his age with an all-field approach, some pop and good plate discipline. He should go back to South Bend for 2017 as a 19-year-old.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #10 prospect in 2019
  Paredes slashed .321/.406/.458 in 39 games with Erie in 2018 and picked up where he left off in 2019. He ranked among the league's better performers in each of the major offensive categories. His approach has continued to improve, and he struck out 61 times, which was just four times more than he walked. "That kid is a super professional hitter, he has a really solid approach," one manager said about Paredes. "He lets the game come to him, and his hit tool has grown to be plus with developing power. He is a solid defender on the infield with a good arm and pays attention to the finer aspects of the game." Paredes is a station-to-station runner with below-average speed. The biggest question Paredes faces going forward is where will he play. He switched from playing shortstop to primarily playing third base with Erie. Evaluators generally said that Paredes' frame will likely not allow him to stay on the left side of the infield long term, but his natural hitting ability should help him to get to the big leagues.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #16 prospect in 2018
  Along with third baseman Jeimer Candelario, Paredes was sent to the Tigers in 2017 as part of the deal that moved reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila to the Cubs. Paredes’ reputation as a bat-first player preceded him, and he’s lived up to that billing as he’s moved up the ladder. He excelled at two levels this season, and was especially exciting in a five-week stint at Double-A in the second half, and showed an ability to coax pitchers into giving him hittable fastballs, which proceeded to crush. Defensively, however, it’s clear he’s not a shortstop. Evaluators believe he’s probably bigger than his his listed weight, and doesn’t show the range needed to stick at shortstop in the long-term. He’s got the arm strength for third base, if the Tigers choose to move him over there at some point. He’s a below-average runner, too, but the bat is too good to ignore.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #9 prospect in 2017
  The Cubs signed Paredes for $800,000 in July 2015 then traded him to the Tigers along with Triple-A third baseman Jeimer Candelario in late July for reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila. Instantly, he became one of the best prospects in a rebuilding Tigers system. Paredes draws comparisons with former Tiger Jhonny Peralta, both for his squatty body and his power. Scouts project that Paredes could eventually get to 20 homers in a peak season because of above-average bat speed. He has solid plate discipline with a knack for finding the barrel, which leads evaluators to project him as an above-average hitter as well, with one scout calling him the best pure hitter in the MWL. In the field, Paredes has smooth actions and shows good agility and average run times despite a thick body, though most scouts project a move to third base. He has an above-average arm and the requisite power.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #94 prospect in 2019

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers acquired Paredes with Jeimer Candelario in the 2017 trade that sent Alex Avila and Justin Wilson to the Cubs. Paredes quickly established himself as one of the top up-and-coming hitters in the Tigers’ system and, after a strong showing at Double-A Erie in 2019, made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2020. He appeared in 34 games down the stretch and hit .220 with one home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paredes doesn’t have the most athletic figure, but he can hit. He has long displayed an understanding of how to handle opposing pitchers beyond his years and boasts elite strike-zone discipline. His approach and advanced barrel control yield above-average contact ability, and his mix of strength, approach and feel for the barrel give him a chance to hit for average power. Paredes came up as a shortstop but is purely a third baseman now with his portly, fully developed frame. He has the arm strength for the hot corner and projects to hit enough to profile at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes is in line to be the Tigers’ Opening Day third baseman in 2021. He has enough offensive skill to be a first-division player, but he’s going to have to watch his fitness.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers acquired Paredes with Jeimer Candelario in the 2017 trade that sent Alex Avila and Justin Wilson to the Cubs. Paredes quickly established himself as one of the top up-and-coming hitters in the Tigers’ system and, after a strong showing at Double-A Erie in 2019, made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2020. He appeared in 34 games down the stretch and hit .220 with one home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paredes doesn’t have the most athletic figure, but he can hit. He has long displayed an understanding of how to handle opposing pitchers beyond his years and boasts elite strike-zone discipline. His approach and advanced barrel control yield above-average contact ability, and his mix of strength, approach and feel for the barrel give him a chance to hit for average power. Paredes came up as a shortstop but is purely a third baseman now with his portly, fully developed frame. He has the arm strength for the hot corner and projects to hit enough to profile at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes is in line to be the Tigers’ Opening Day third baseman in 2021. He has enough offensive skill to be a first-division player, but he’s going to have to watch his fitness.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Paredes’ bat is what made him a valuable pickup for Detroit when they acquired him in July of 2017 from the Cubs in a deal for catcher Alex Avila and lefthander Justin Wilson. After reaching Double-A as a 19-year old during the 2018 season, Paredes returned in 2019 and posted a career-high in homers (13) and hits (135) as the second youngest player in the league. He didn’t chase much at all out of the zone and drew nearly as many walks (57) as strikeouts (61).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Natural bat-to-ball skills and elite plate discipline are the highlights of Paredes’ profile. He hits for some power and projects to be above-average in that department. He will have to move from shortstop to third base, where his hands will play, although executives wonder if his maxed out frame means he will ultimately end up at first base. Paredes has arm strength but needs to work on throwing mechanics and consistency of his throws. At best, his range projects as fringe-average. While he won’t clog up the bases, he is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes’ ability to mash should get him to the big leagues. With developing power, it’s conceivable that he will get the chance to be an everyday regular even with fringe-average defense.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Paredes' bat is what made him a valuable pickup for Detroit when they acquired him in July of 2017 from the Cubs in a deal for catcher Alex Avila and lefthander Justin Wilson. After reaching Double-A as a 19-year old during the 2018 season, Paredes returned in 2019 and posted a career-high in homers (13) and hits (135) as the second youngest player in the league. He didn't chase much at all out of the zone and drew nearly as many walks (57) as strikeouts (61).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Natural bat-to-ball skills and elite plate discipline are the highlights of Paredes' profile. He hits for some power and projects to be above-average in that department. He will have to move from shortstop to third base, where his hands will play, although executives wonder if his maxed out frame means he will ultimately end up at first base. Paredes has arm strength but needs to work on throwing mechanics and consistency of his throws. At best, his range projects as fringe-average. While he won't clog up the bases, he is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paredes' ability to mash should get him to the big leagues. With developing power, it's conceivable that he will get the chance to be an everyday regular even with fringe-average defense.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Paredes slashed .321/.406/.458 in 39 games with Erie in 2018 and picked up where he left off in 2019. He ranked among the league's better performers in each of the major offensive categories. His approach has continued to improve, and he struck out 61 times, which was just four times more than he walked. "That kid is a super professional hitter, he has a really solid approach," one manager said about Paredes. "He lets the game come to him, and his hit tool has grown to be plus with developing power. He is a solid defender on the infield with a good arm and pays attention to the finer aspects of the game." Paredes is a station-to-station runner with below-average speed. The biggest question Paredes faces going forward is where will he play. He switched from playing shortstop to primarily playing third base with Erie. Evaluators generally said that Paredes' frame will likely not allow him to stay on the left side of the infield long term, but his natural hitting ability should help him to get to the big leagues.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  There weren’t many 19-year-olds in the Florida State League. There was only one who reached double digits in home runs–Paredes, and it earned him a bump to Double-A. Paredes’ bat is ahead of his glove, which is why he’ll likely end up at second or third base eventually. He’s playing more and more second base this season and has the bat to profile there.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Overshadowed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the low Class A Midwest League in 2017, Paredes was notable in his own right as an 18-year-old shortstop who hit 11 home runs, drew walks and didn't strike out much. Along with Jeimer Candelario, he was acquired from the Cubs for lefthander Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila. Scouting Report: Even if his stats don't indicate as such, Paredes was one of the better pure hitters in the MWL. He showed a consistent ability to square balls, while showing pitch recognition, a whole-field approach and the plate discipline of an older, more experienced hitter before wearing down in August. He should be at least an above-average hitter and has a chance to hit 15-20 home runs per season. Defensively, there's much less consensus. Often, players with Paredes' build end up moving to second or third base. With an above-average arm, soft hands and good instincts, he should stick at either spot if he stays in shape. The Future: Paredes' ceiling depends on how his body develops. If he doesn't get much thicker, he could stick at a premium defensive position, where his well-rounded offensive tool set will make him an asset.