Jake Hernandez

Jake Hernandez, a Southern California recruit, is a solid, workmanlike receiver with a classic strong catcher's frame and quality catching skills. He's not a great athlete, recording only a 7.30-second time in the 60-yard dash and a 25.2-inch vertical leap at last year's Area Code Games. His showcase pop times were in the 1.95-2.00-second range, but he lowered those to 1.85-1.90 this spring. His release is quick and his throws have good velocity and straight-line carry. Hernandez is not the smoothest catcher around, but his receiving skills should grade out to major league average. Early on, some scouts dismissed Hernandez's bat as that of a backup catcher, but his bat had come around. In the MLB preseason scouts showcase in February at Compton, he ripped a long wood-bat triple to right-center on a day when pitchers dominated. Hernandez profiles as a reliable catcher defensively, and his ability to start will depend on his progress with the bat.