Heriberto Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #18 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Acquired in the 2020 trade that sent Nate Lowe to the Rangers, Hernandez set the Bowling Green single-season home run record with 24, but he also finished third in the South Atlantic League with 155 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez has hit the ball as hard as nearly anyone in the Rays organization for a couple of years. In 2022 he developed a better ability to lift the ball to hit long home runs rather than just screaming line drives and ground balls. Hernandez is going to have to hit for big power, as he has below-average bat-to-ball skills. He makes solid swing decisions, but trades plenty of swings and misses and strikeouts to hit the ball as hard as he does. A former catcher, Hernandez does not fit the Rays profile for an outfielder thanks to his defensive limitations. He's fringe-average at best in left or right field and isn't capable of playing center field. First base is an option as well, as the Rays haven't regularly played an outfielder who can't play center since Avisail Garcia in 2019.
  
  The Future: Hernandez was left off the 40-man roster and unprotected and unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. He remains an intriguing power prospect, but as he heads to Double-A, he need to make strides defensively and find a little more adjustability to his swing.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #28 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: One of three players the Rays acquired from the Rangers for Nate Lowe last offseason (along with Osleivis Basabe and Alexander Ovalles), Hernandez was a low-cost $10,000 signing of the Rangers in 2017. He’s far exceeded those expectations since then. He was one of the best players in the Arizona Complex League in 2019. An oblique injury limited him to five games in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez hits the ball as hard as almost anyone in the system. He consistently tops 110 mph on his hardest-hit balls, although his power numbers haven’t fully reflected that plus-plus raw power yet. Hernandez also knows how to work counts and is happy to take a walk. He projects to hit .230-.(240, but with plenty of walks and 20+ home runs. The demands on his bat are going to be hefty, because he doesn’t do a whole lot else well. Once a catcher, Hernandez is now a well-below-average defender in the outfield corners. His above-average arm plays in right, but his well below-average speed will limit him.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has excellent bat speed and the chance to get on-base and hit for power. Like several other Rays prospects, his lack of a clear defensive home leads to plenty of questions.
  
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #28 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Hernandez signed for $10,000 during the 2017 international signing period and quickly emerged as a potential bargain. He finished second in the Dominican Summer League in home runs (12) and OPS (1.099) in his pro debut in 2018 and kept it up by ranking tied for second in home runs (11) and third in OPS in the Rookie-level Arizona League (1.079) the following year. He was set to make his full-season debut in 2020, but instead he took a step back without the structure professional baseball provided. The Rays acquired him from the Rangers in December in the deal that sent Nate Lowe to Texas.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Rangers brought Hernandez to their alternate training site during the summer and found a player who had lost strength and weight. He didn't have access to quality facilities in the Dominican Republic, where he spent the shutdown, and wasn't back to where he should have been until the end of instructs. When he's right, Hernandez has plus power on par with anyone in the Rays' system. He has trouble recognizing pitches and needs work on his hit tool, but the power comes naturally. Hernandez generates force through proper sequencing, quick hands, good extension and good bat speed. Hernandez signed as a catcher, but he's exclusively a first baseman and left fielder now.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez will begin at low Class A in 2021. As long as he's hitting homers, he will keep rising.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #20 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Since being signed from the Dominican Republic as a catcher for $10,000 in December 2017, Hernandez has raked, finishing second in the Dominican Summer League in OPS in his debut in 2018, then ranking third in that category in his jump to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez gets in a balanced hitting position, generates good leverage and hammers baseballs with raw power that grades out at least plus and translates in games. The best position for Hernandez is in the batter's box. He did catch last year, but he spent most of his time in right field and first base. The Rangers plan to keep giving some exposure to catching in 2020, but if he doesn't play there regularly, it's unlikely he stays there long term. A below-average runner, Hernandez has enough athleticism that he could be able to stay in right field with a slightly above-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: A likely right fielder/first baseman coming off his age-19 season in a complex league carries a lot of risk, but Hernandez may have enough offensive impact to deliver. He will have an opportunity to convert more believers if he keeps mashing at low Class A Hickory in 2020.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #14 prospect in 2019
  Questions as to where Hernandez fits best on the field are generally answered with the proclamation, "It doesn't matter because he's going to hit his way to the big leagues." He tied for second in home runs with 11 and led the league with 48 RBIs, posting an outstanding isolated slugging percentage of .302. He has plus-plus bat speed and is extremely athletic in the batter's box, while showing an advanced feel for adjustments at the plate. "I don't think the numbers are a lie," Rangers manager Carlos Cardoza said. "They actually tell a pretty close picture of the truth for him so far. The bat's the real deal." While listed as a catcher on the roster, Hernandez saw more action in right field. He's more athletic than he looks, and an above-average arm will allow him to handle either corner position—especially after he gets more outfield reps. Opinions are mixed as to whether Hernandez can stay behind the plate, but he can likely be serviceable there in a utility role. Regardless of where he plays, Hernandez's bat is his carrying tool, and he has a chance to be a special hitter.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Acquired in the 2020 trade that sent Nate Lowe to the Rangers, Hernandez set the Bowling Green single-season home run record with 24, but he also finished third in the South Atlantic League with 155 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez has hit the ball as hard as nearly anyone in the Rays organization for a couple of years. In 2022 he developed a better ability to lift the ball to hit long home runs rather than just screaming line drives and ground balls. Hernandez is going to have to hit for big power, as he has below-average bat-to-ball skills. He makes solid swing decisions, but trades plenty of swings and misses and strikeouts to hit the ball as hard as he does. A former catcher, Hernandez does not fit the Rays profile for an outfielder thanks to his defensive limitations. He's fringe-average at best in left or right field and isn't capable of playing center field. First base is an option as well, as the Rays haven't regularly played an outfielder who can't play center since Avisail Garcia in 2019.
  
  The Future: Hernandez was left off the 40-man roster and unprotected and unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. He remains an intriguing power prospect, but as he heads to Double-A, he need to make strides defensively and find a little more adjustability to his swing.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Acquired in the 2020 trade that sent Nate Lowe to the Rangers, Hernandez set the Bowling Green single-season home run record with 24, but he also finished third in the South Atlantic League with 155 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez has hit the ball as hard as nearly anyone in the Rays organization for a couple of years. In 2022 he developed a better ability to lift the ball to hit long home runs rather than just screaming line drives and ground balls. Hernandez is going to have to hit for big power, as he has below-average bat-to-ball skills. He makes solid swing decisions, but trades plenty of swings and misses and strikeouts to hit the ball as hard as he does. A former catcher, Hernandez does not fit the Rays profile for an outfielder thanks to his defensive limitations. He's fringe-average at best in left or right field and isn't capable of playing center field. First base is an option as well, as the Rays haven't regularly played an outfielder who can't play center since Avisail Garcia in 2019.
  
  The Future: Hernandez was left off the 40-man roster and unprotected and unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. He remains an intriguing power prospect, but as he heads to Double-A, he need to make strides defensively and find a little more adjustability to his swing.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record:: One of three players the Rays acquired from the Rangers for Nate Lowe last offseason (along with Osleivis Basabe and Alexander Ovalles), Hernandez was a low-cost $10,000 signing of the Rangers in 2017. He&#39s far exceeded those expectations since then. He was one of the best players in the Arizona Complex League in 2019. An oblique injury limited him to five games in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez hits the ball as hard as almost anyone in the system. He consistently tops 110 mph on his hardest-hit balls, although his power numbers haven&#39t fully reflected that plus-plus raw power yet. Hernandez also knows how to work counts and is happy to take a walk. He projects to hit .230-.240, but with plenty of walks and 20+ home runs. The demands on his bat are going to be hefty, because he doesn&#39t do a whole lot else well. Once a catcher, Hernandez is now a well-below-average defender in the outfield corners. His above-average arm plays in right, but his well below-average speed will limit him.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has excellent bat speed and the chance to get on-base and hit for power. Like several other Rays prospects, his lack of a clear defensive home leads to plenty of questions.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: One of three players the Rays acquired from the Rangers for Nate Lowe last offseason (along with Osleivis Basabe and Alexander Ovalles), Hernandez was a low-cost $10,000 signing of the Rangers in 2017. He’s far exceeded those expectations since then. He was one of the best players in the Arizona Complex League in 2019. An oblique injury limited him to five games in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez hits the ball as hard as almost anyone in the system. He consistently tops 110 mph on his hardest-hit balls, although his power numbers haven’t fully reflected that plus-plus raw power yet. Hernandez also knows how to work counts and is happy to take a walk. He projects to hit .230-.(240, but with plenty of walks and 20+ home runs. The demands on his bat are going to be hefty, because he doesn’t do a whole lot else well. Once a catcher, Hernandez is now a well-below-average defender in the outfield corners. His above-average arm plays in right, but his well below-average speed will limit him.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has excellent bat speed and the chance to get on-base and hit for power. Like several other Rays prospects, his lack of a clear defensive home leads to plenty of questions.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernandez signed for $10,000 during the 2017 international signing period and quickly emerged as a potential bargain. He finished second in the Dominican Summer League in home runs (12) and OPS (1.099) in his pro debut in 2018 and kept it up by ranking tied for second in home runs (11) and third in OPS in the Rookie-level Arizona League (1.079) the following year. He was set to make his full-season debut in 2020, but instead he took a step back without the structure professional baseball provided. The Rays acquired him from the Rangers in December in the deal that sent Nate Lowe to Texas.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Rangers brought Hernandez to their alternate training site during the summer and found a player who had lost strength and weight. He didn't have access to quality facilities in the Dominican Republic, where he spent the shutdown, and wasn't back to where he should have been until the end of instructs. When he's right, Hernandez has plus power on par with anyone in the Rays' system. He has trouble recognizing pitches and needs work on his hit tool, but the power comes naturally. Hernandez generates force through proper sequencing, quick hands, good extension and good bat speed. Hernandez signed as a catcher, but he's exclusively a first baseman and left fielder now.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez will begin at low Class A in 2021. As long as he's hitting homers, he will keep rising.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernandez signed for $10,000 during the 2017 international signing period and quickly emerged as a potential bargain. He finished second in the Dominican Summer League in home runs (12) and OPS (1.099) in his pro debut in 2018 and kept it up by ranking tied for second in home runs (11) and third in OPS in the Rookie-level Arizona League (1.079) the following year. He was set to make his full-season debut in 2020, but instead he took a step back without the structure professional baseball provided. The Rays acquired him from the Rangers in December in the deal that sent Nate Lowe to Texas.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Rangers brought Hernandez to their alternate training site during the summer and found a player who had lost strength and weight. He didn't have access to quality facilities in the Dominican Republic, where he spent the shutdown, and wasn't back to where he should have been until the end of instructs. When he's right, Hernandez has plus power on par with anyone in the Rays' system. He has trouble recognizing pitches and needs work on his hit tool, but the power comes naturally. Hernandez generates force through proper sequencing, quick hands, good extension and good bat speed. Hernandez signed as a catcher, but he's exclusively a first baseman and left fielder now.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez will begin at low Class A in 2021. As long as he's hitting homers, he will keep rising.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernandez signed for $10,000 during the 2017 international signing period and quickly emerged as a potential bargain. He finished second in the Dominican Summer League in home runs (12) and OPS (1.099) in his pro debut in 2018 and kept it up by ranking tied for second in home runs (11) and third in OPS in the Rookie-level Arizona League (1.079) the following year. He was set to make his full-season debut in 2020, but instead he took a step back without the structure professional baseball provided. The Rays acquired him from the Rangers in December in the deal that sent Nate Lowe to Texas.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Rangers brought Hernandez to their alternate training site during the summer and found a player who had lost strength and weight. He didn't have access to quality facilities in the Dominican Republic, where he spent the shutdown, and wasn't back to where he should have been until the end of instructs. When he's right, Hernandez has plus power on par with anyone in the Rays' system. He has trouble recognizing pitches and needs work on his hit tool, but the power comes naturally. Hernandez generates force through proper sequencing, quick hands, good extension and good bat speed. Hernandez signed as a catcher, but he's exclusively a first baseman and left fielder now.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez will begin at low Class A in 2021. As long as he's hitting homers, he will keep rising.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Since being signed from the Dominican Republic as a catcher for $10,000 in December 2017, Hernandez has raked, finishing second in the Dominican Summer League in OPS in his debut in 2018, then ranking third in that category in his jump to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez gets in a balanced hitting position, generates good leverage and hammers baseballs with raw power that grades out at least plus and translates in games. The best position for Hernandez is in the batter’s box. He did catch last year, but he spent most of his time in right field and first base. The Rangers plan to keep giving some exposure to catching in 2020, but if he doesn’t play there regularly, it’s unlikely he stays there long term. A below-average runner, Hernandez has enough athleticism that he could be able to stay in right field with a slightly above-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: A likely right fielder/first baseman coming off his age-19 season in a complex league carries a lot of risk, but Hernandez may have enough offensive impact to deliver. He will have an opportunity to convert more believers if he keeps mashing at low Class A Hickory in 2020. BA GRADE 50 Risk: Very High BA GRADE 50 Risk: Very High BA GRADE 50 Risk: Very High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Since being signed from the Dominican Republic as a catcher for $10,000 in December 2017, Hernandez has raked, finishing second in the Dominican Summer League in OPS in his debut in 2018, then ranking third in that category in his jump to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez gets in a balanced hitting position, generates good leverage and hammers baseballs with raw power that grades out at least plus and translates in games. The best position for Hernandez is in the batter's box. He did catch last year, but he spent most of his time in right field and first base. The Rangers plan to keep giving some exposure to catching in 2020, but if he doesn't play there regularly, it's unlikely he stays there long term. A below-average runner, Hernandez has enough athleticism that he could be able to stay in right field with a slightly above-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: A likely right fielder/first baseman coming off his age-19 season in a complex league carries a lot of risk, but Hernandez may have enough offensive impact to deliver. He will have an opportunity to convert more believers if he keeps mashing at low Class A Hickory in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Questions as to where Hernandez fits best on the field are generally answered with the proclamation, "It doesn't matter because he's going to hit his way to the big leagues." He tied for second in home runs with 11 and led the league with 48 RBIs, posting an outstanding isolated slugging percentage of .302. He has plus-plus bat speed and is extremely athletic in the batter's box, while showing an advanced feel for adjustments at the plate. "I don't think the numbers are a lie," Rangers manager Carlos Cardoza said. "They actually tell a pretty close picture of the truth for him so far. The bat's the real deal." While listed as a catcher on the roster, Hernandez saw more action in right field. He's more athletic than he looks, and an above-average arm will allow him to handle either corner position—especially after he gets more outfield reps. Opinions are mixed as to whether Hernandez can stay behind the plate, but he can likely be serviceable there in a utility role. Regardless of where he plays, Hernandez's bat is his carrying tool, and he has a chance to be a special hitter.