Tejada Improving

After a poor season last year for A+ St. Lucie in the Florida State 19 year old shortstop Ruben Tejada is having a successful start to his season in the Hawaii Winter league. In 2007 Tejada hit .324 with 41 rbis, 45 runs, 16 stolen bases, 35 strikeouts, and 38 walks in 67 games between the Venezuelan summer league and the rookie gulf league. He was unable to continue that success in 2008 as he struggled throughout the year in the hitter friendly Florida state league. He only managed a .229 average with 37 rbis, 55 runs. He stuck out 77 times compared to 41 walks and was thrown out stealing 5 times out of 13 tries accumulating for only 8 stolen bases.

It looks like the 5 foot 11 kid is back on track as he is hitting .324 after 9 games and has 7 runs to go along with 8 rbis. Tejada does not have great tools. He does not have a lot of power and is more like a second baseman then a shortstop but after a great 2007 season he looked very polished and advanced for his age. This can be attributed to more walks then strikeouts and a high batting average to say the least. His defense is very good and even though he struggled in St Lucie he is said to have good plate discipline.