BONIFACIO, EMILIO  
 
Nickname:   N/A Position:   2B-3B-SS-OF
Home: N/A Team:   MARLINS
Height: 5' 11" Bats:   S
Weight: 180 Throws:   R
DOB: 4/23/1985 Agent: N/A
Birth City: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Draft: 2001 - D'Backs - Free agent
Uniform #: 1  
 
YR LEA TEAM SAL(K) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO OBP SLG AVG
2005 MWL SOUTH BEND   127 522 81 141 14 7 1 44 55 17 56 90 .341 .330 .270
2006 CAL LANCASTER   130 546 117 175 35 7 7 50 61 14 44 104 .375 .449 .321
2007 SL BAYBEARS   132 551 84 157 21 5 2 40 41 13 38 105   .352 .285
2007 NL DIAMONDBACKS   11 23 2 5 1 0 0 2 0 1 4 3 .333 .261 .217
2008 PCL TUCSON   85 367 49 111 18 5 1 29 17 8 27 64   .387 .302
2008 IL COLUMBUS   8 31 9 14 2 0 0 3 4 2 4 4   .516 .452
2008 NL DIAMONDBACKS   8 12 3 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 5 .167 .250 .167
2008 NL NATIONALS   41 157 26 39 5 5 0 12 6 4 14 41 .305 .344 .248
2009 NL MARLINS $400.00 127 461 72 116 11 6 1 27 21 9 34 95 .303 .308 .252
2010 PCL NEW ORLEANS   40 164 19 45 8 3 0 11 8 4 16 33 .339 .360 .274
2010 NL MARLINS $420.00 50 90 15 23 4 1 0 6 6 0 7 19 .303 .322 .256
2010 PCL NEW ORLEANS   40 164 19 45 8 3 0 11 8 4 16 33 .339 .360 .274
2010 NL MARLINS $420.00 52 96 17 26 5 2 0 6 6 0 7 20 .314 .365 .271
2010 PCL NEW ORLEANS   40 164 19 45 8 3 0 11 8 4 16 33 .339 .360 .274
2010 NL MARLINS $420.00 54 102 18 29 5 2 0 6 6 0 7 21 .324 .373 .284
2010 PCL NEW ORLEANS   40 164 19 45 8 3 0 11 8 4 16 33 .339 .360 .274
2010 NL MARLINS $420.00 55 106 21 32 5 3 0 6 6 0 8 21 .345 .406 .302
PERSONAL:

  • Bonifacio is a great kid that is loaded with talent. He is humble, has a real passion for the game, and his demeanor is outstanding both on and off the field.
  • In 2006, Bonifacio led the California League in stolen bases while ranking second with 117 runs.

  • During the winter before 2007 spring training, Baseball America rated Emilio as 12th-best prospect in the Diamondbacks organization. 

    In the winter before 2008 spring camp opened, the magazine had moved Bonifacio up to 6th-best prospect in the Arizona farm system.

  • Emilio had Brett Butler as a manager for two years while in the Arizona farm system.

  • In 2007, Bonifacio hit .341/.390/400 for Licey in the Dominican Winter League.

  • In September 2007, Emilio was called up to the Major Leagues. As soon as he heard the news, he called his father, Jose.

    "I was so happy that I was crying," he said. "I called my Dad and he was crying, too."

  • Emilio is knowledgable about the game of baseball. His body and game are mindful of Twins second baseman Luis Castillo.

  • Emilio's first Major League home run was an inside-the-park home run on opening day 2009. He also went 4 for 5 that day with 4 runs scored and 3 stolen bases.

    TRANSACTION REPORT

  • 2001: At age 16, Bonifacio was signed by D'Backs scout Junior Noboa, out of the Dominican Republic.

  •  
  • July 22, 2008: The Nationals sent RHP Jon Rauch to the D'Backs, acquiring Emilio.

  • November 11, 2008: The Marlins sent LHP Scott Olsen and OF Josh Willingham to the Nationals, acquiring Bonifacio, RHP P.J. Dean, and INF Jake Smolinski.

  •  
     
    BATTING:

    • Bonifacio is a contact hitter; he slaps the ball around the ballpark. He is a batter from the left side, but he is currently working to develop his righthanded stroke. Right now his swing is not really conducive to the small-ball game he needs to play.
    • He hustles at the game and puts pressure on the opposition with his all-out style. Any ball that he hits he's thinking about taking the extra base as he's getting out of the box.

    • Emilio beats out a lot of infield hits.

    • Bonifacio works the count, fights off pitches he can't hit. He is currently increasing his knowledge of the strike zone. That should cut down on his high strikeout total.

      BREAKDOWN VS. LEFTIES AND RIGHTIES

  • In 2009, this switch-hitter nailed lefthanded pitchers for a .315 average with no homers in 143 at-bats, while righthanders held him to a .223 average with one homer in 318 at-bats.

  • As of the start of 2010 season, Bonifacio had a careeer batting average of .248 with one home run and 43 RBI in 653 at-bats.
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    FIELDING:

    • Bonifacio is a solid 2nd baseman. He's quick, with soft, sure hands, and he has good range. However, he needs better footwork.
    • Emilio is a high energy player, playing out of control at times and rushing his throws. But the way he plays the game, with energy and passion, is very refreshing.

    • Bonifacio's arm strength is about average. He makes a good, smooth exchange on the double play.

    • The Marlins had Emilio move to 3rd base.
     
    RUNNING:

    • Emilio is extremely fast. He gets to first base in an incredible 3.6 to 3.7 seconds from the left side, making him one of the fastest baserunners in baseball. (And he is at 3.9 seconds from the right side.)

      "He has top-of-the-charts speed," Diamondbacks farm director (now manager) A. J. Hinch said before 2007 spring training. "He's the fastest guy in the organization, and he is probably the most dynamic athlete we have in the system."
    • Bonifacio's speed rates as either a 70 or 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale.

    • Nationals G.M. Mike Rizzo first saw Bonifacio when the latter was a 16-year-old, trying out at the Diamondbacks' complex in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. As part of the drilling, players were asked to run a 60-yard dash. Rizzo watched a blur, looked at his stopwatch and gasped: Bonifacio had run a 6.22.

    "I said, 'Is this 60 yards legit?' '' Rizzo recalled Tuesday. " 'Or is this a Dominican 60 yards?' '' They re-measured the distance and confirmed its accuracy.
     
     
    CAREER INJURY REPORT:

    • Late in May, 2010: Bonifacio was on the D.L. for a week or so.
     
     
    Last Updated 9/8/2010. All contents © 2000 by Player Profiles. All rights reserved.