Adrian Hernandez by Ed Delany, MMN
Adrian Hernandez
Position: CF Bats/Throws: R/R Age: February 8, 2001 (19)
Ht: 5’9″ Wt: 210 lb.
Acquired: International Free Agent from Dominican Republic on 7/2/17 ($1.5 million bonus)
Previous Ranking: 14
ETA: 2023
Stats (GCL): .286/.375/.643, 2 2B, HR, RBI, 2 SB, CS
Hernandez was regarded by Baseball America rated him as the 16th best player and seventh best outfielder in the 2017 international free agent class due to his natural power and speed. Initially, we did not see that on display when he was a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League.
For four games to start the Gulf Coast League season, we saw a glimpse of what Hernandez could be with his hitting for power and showcasing his speed on the basepaths and in the field. Unfortunately, with Hernandez suffering a season-ending knee injury, we would only get that glimpse. There is no expectation the knee injury was structurally significant robbing him of his immense natural ability.
As a result, when evaluating him, we are still mostly left discussing his raw tools and potential rather than how his skills have translated on the field. Looking at those raw skills, the consensus is this is an extremely talented player with room to still develop.
With the right regiment, Hernandez can become stronger and quicker as a player. Ideally, he will also prevent the types of injuries which cost him most of the 2019 season. When he returns, the Mets should see a player who can begin turning that raw potential into production.
While Hernandez does have natural power and bat speed, which is a strong indicator of future power potential, he does need some work at the plate. The one knock on him at the plate has been his pitch recognition and plate discipline. Those issues have emerged as he has struck out three times more than he has walked in his brief professional career.
The good news is that despite his issues with this pitch recognition, Hernandez does make contact, and he has a slightly above average strikeout rate. When he makes contact, Hernandez has been hitting the ball hard with an ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. When he does get it in the air, he does damage as evidenced by his 7.1% HR/FB in 2018 and 33.3% in 2019.
That power has been mitigated by his hitting the ball on the ground nearly half the time. Once Hernandez learns how to better lift and drive the ball, he could very well become a dangerous power hitter. Again, this circles back to his pitch recognition skills. Those should come as he plays more games.
Defensively, he has the speed, skill, and instincts to play center. However, the expectation as he continues to fill out more physically, he may be best suited to move to right field. Even if that were to occur, he will still have the arm, range, and speed to be a good defender there.
While we discuss potential with every prospect, that is really the case with Hernandez because at this stage of his career he has not played that much. As he gets more opportunities, he can work on some of those areas he needs to improve. Given his natural ability, once he begins to be able to put it all together, he has the real potential to be a special five tool player in the future.
Still, there is a lot of time and many things he needs to work on before he gets to that point. That will begin with him getting the opportunity to work during Spring Training and being on the Opening Day roster of whichever affiliate he will be assigned to start the 2020 season.
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