Nelson Jorge

NELSON JORGE, SHORTSTOP
Born: December 14, 1995
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Drafted: 7th Round, 221st Overall, 2014
How Acquired: Draft
High School: International Baseball Academy (PR)
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Jorge out of the International Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico.  He was unrated in Baseball America’s top 500 draft prospects list, so there isn’t much information out there on him.  He also wasn’t ranked in BA’s list of the top 14 prospects in Puerto Rico, a list that included five other shortstops, the top one of which went two rounds after Jorge.  Last November, Perfect Game had Jorge throwing 90 MPH from shortstop and 93 MPH from the outfield, with a best time of 6.54 in the 60, which gives him above average speed.  He’s a switch-hitter who is better from the left side, showing good contact skills and power to the gaps.  From the right side, he stands more straight up and has an uppercut to his swing.  Jorge has a shot to stick at shortstop due to his speed and athleticism, but he could also end up at second base or in the outfield.  Jorge signed a week after the draft.  His bonus was $125,000, which was $39,700 under slot.

2014
R:  150/259/214, 140 AB, 3 2B, 3 3B, 19 BB, 61 K, 5-6 SB

With Cole Tucker at short, Jorge was the primary secondbaseman in the GCL, also getting into four games at short.  He was overmatched at the plate, striking out in over 40% of his ABs.  He did try to work the count and had a good walk rate, but more often than not simply got himself into two-strike counts.  He also struggled in the field.

2015
R:  191/337/206, 68 AB, 1 2B, 15 BB, 23 K, 3-4 SB

The Pirates sent Jorge back to the GCL, where he had largely the same season at the plate apart from a much higher walk rate.  With more promising infielders available (Adrian Valerio, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Raul Siri, among others), Jorge’s playing time was limited.  He played second exclusively.

2016
R:  274/361/453, 106 AB, 5 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 10 BB, 36 K, 9-11 SB

Jorge went back to the GCL for a third season and finally made some progress at the plate, even hitting for good power.  He played second exclusively, and made some progress in the field and on the bases.  He started only a little over half the team’s games, though, an indication that the Pirates weren’t convinced that he’s become a prospect.  He had a very high K rate, for one thing.

2017
R+:  250/373/402, 92 AB, 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 13 BB, 33 K, 4-8 SB

Jorge served as a utility player for Bristol, playing second, third and the outfield.  He also pitched a couple times.  He continued to hit reasonably well, still with a very high K rate.  The Pirates didn’t give him a great deal of playing time.

If he returns, Jorge figures to serve as a utility player somewhere at the lower levels.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2018: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $125,000
MiLB Debut: 2014
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2020
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2018
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 6, 2014: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round, 221st overall pick; signed on June 14.