Junior Vizcaino, Making Assessments - 1202

Coming off his second professional season, Junior Vizcaino had the eye of Pirates minor league field coordinator Buzzy Keller, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Keller saw Vizcaino continuing his success.

"He's just getting ready," Keller told The Post-Gazette that April. "He has all the tools. He's big, strong and he can hit. He's jumped high in a hurry."

Vizcaino never did fulfill those expectations. He only got four seasons as a pro. Now, though, it's Vizcaino who's been making the assessments. He's gone on to a long career as a scout.

Vizcaino's career began in 1987, taken by the Pirates in the 14th round of the draft, out of Valdosta State University in Georgia. He also attended Indian River Community College in Florida.

At Indian River, Vizcaino served time as a pitcher, picking up a win in a February 1985 game.

With the Pirates, Vizcaino the infielder started at short-season Watertown. He hit .306 in 51 games. He then moved to single-A Salem for 1988. He hit .261 there, with 20 stolen bases.

He returned to Salem for 1989, getting 17 games at AA Harrisburg. Between the two levels he hit just .238. In an April game at Harrisburg, Vizcaino hit a late two-run single that proved the game-winner.

Vizcaino then got a full season at Harrisburg in 1990. He hit .254. He picked up two hits in a June game. It was his final year as a pro.

Vizcaino soon took a different role in the game, as a scout. He served as a scout for the Braves from 1994 to 2000. He then became a scout for the Royals. In 2012, he was the Royals national cross checker.

In 2002, Vizcaino was a regional cross checker for the Royals. Before the draft, Baseball America asked him his thoughts on prospect B.J. Upton, whom he'd been impressed with since Upton was 12.

"He does everything you want in a big league player," Vizcaino told Baseball America. "He’s a five-tool player, plain and simple. He can play the game. Since he produces offensively from a defensive position, that’s an added bonus."

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 3, 1989: Among prospects, third baseman is King of the hill
• Baseball America, May 29, 2002: Upton enjoys ride to top of draft

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,706
Made the Majors: 820 - 48.1%
Never Made Majors: 886-51.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 357
10+ Seasons in the Minors:205