Josue Briceño Scouting Report
Background: Venezuelan native who signed in January 2022 as part of the 2021 international class. Pedestrian pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, but posted an impressive .319/.402/.539 line over 55 games between the Florida Complex League and Florida State League in 2023. His 2024 season in the FSL was interrupted by a knee injury that cost him three months. Exploded onto the national scene with an epic Arizona Fall League performance, batting .437 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs to become the circuit’s first ever Triple Crown winner.
Physical Description: Large person who is likely 10–15 pounds heavier than his listed weight (6’4, 200). Well put together and not overweight by any means, and though he already appears to be in his man body, he figures to gain more mass as he ages.
Hit: 60
Briceño is a left-handed hitter with an upright, open stance. He worked in the AFL to improve his lower-half flexibility, and he did appear slightly looser in the box. Bat speed is average, but he shows well above-average bat-to-ball skills that let him make consistent hard contact and spoil borderline offerings. Shows an advanced feel for picking up spin and has a mature approach, rarely leaving the zone. Should run double-digit walk rates annually.
Power: 60
Strong young man with easy plus raw power. Shows impressive feel for the barrel and the ability to turn on inside pitches to the pull field or wait for pitches on the outer third and drive them to the left-center gap. More of a hitter with power than a power hitter, and could stand to add more loft to clear the fences more often. His combination of contact skills and strength should still let him hit 20-25 home runs a season.
Run: 20
Well below-average runner with slightly awkward gait. Hustles, but still produces home-to-first times in the 4.5-4.6 range.
Field: 40
Briceño’s knee injury and advanced bat likely mean his days as a catcher are over. He was a well below-average backstop who showed good hands and an average arm, but needed a lot of work with his receiving and lateral agility. Hands have translated well to first base, but he remains somewhat stiff and likely won’t ever show average range at the position.
Arm: 50
Showed slightly above-average arm strength behind the dish, with pop times in the 1.9-2.0 range. Accuracy wasn’t always great. Won’t matter as much at first base, but he should be able to make all the necessary throws.
Overall: Briceño’s future value would be higher if he could stick behind the plate, so the Tigers may be tempted to continue to develop him as a catcher. But his glove is far enough behind his offense that it’s probably best to just let him play first base. That puts much more pressure on his bat, but he has the potential for plus contact, plate discipline, and power tools in his prime. His upside is as an average to above-average regular in the mold of a Brandon Belt.
Updated 3/15/25
Rogelio Castillo