Diego Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #19 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: It's been a slow, steady climb through the Royals system for Hernandez, with his most recent season--split between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas--being his biggest step forward yet. He was remarkably consistent between the two levels and finished with a combined .284/.347/.408 batting line. His 40 stolen bases ranked third among all Royals minor leaguers.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to the 2022 season Hernandez made changes to his swing mechanics. He developed more of a line drive stroke in order to make more contact. While he's added nearly 40 pounds since originally joining the organization in 2017, he'll need to continue adding strength to his still-lanky frame in order to be able to handle major league pitching. A gap-to-gap hitter with plus speed, he projects to have more doubles power than over-the-fence pop, but a positive sign in 2022 was the nine home runs he hit--surpassing his combined total of two from his previous three seasons. Hernandez is a plus defender who can stay in center field, with an average arm that would allow him to play all three positions in a fourth outfielder role. He's aggressive on the field and a hard worker who has adapted well to new hitting philosophies introduced by the Royals hitting development team.
  
  The Future: Hernandez's development is not going to be rushed, with a return to Double-A in 2023 his most likely destination. He's been added to the 40-man roster and will head to spring training with the major league squad.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 50.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: It's been a slow, steady climb through the Royals system for Hernandez, with his most recent season--split between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas--being his biggest step forward yet. He was remarkably consistent between the two levels and finished with a combined .284/.347/.408 batting line. His 40 stolen bases ranked third among all Royals minor leaguers.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to the 2022 season Hernandez made changes to his swing mechanics. He developed more of a line drive stroke in order to make more contact. While he's added nearly 40 pounds since originally joining the organization in 2017, he'll need to continue adding strength to his still-lanky frame in order to be able to handle major league pitching. A gap-to-gap hitter with plus speed, he projects to have more doubles power than over-the-fence pop, but a positive sign in 2022 was the nine home runs he hit--surpassing his combined total of two from his previous three seasons. Hernandez is a plus defender who can stay in center field, with an average arm that would allow him to play all three positions in a fourth outfielder role. He's aggressive on the field and a hard worker who has adapted well to new hitting philosophies introduced by the Royals hitting development team.
  
  The Future: Hernandez's development is not going to be rushed, with a return to Double-A in 2023 his most likely destination. He's been added to the 40-man roster and will head to spring training with the major league squad.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: It's been a slow, steady climb through the Royals system for Hernandez, with his most recent season--split between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas--being his biggest step forward yet. He was remarkably consistent between the two levels and finished with a combined .284/.347/.408 batting line. His 40 stolen bases ranked third among all Royals minor leaguers.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to the 2022 season Hernandez made changes to his swing mechanics. He developed more of a line drive stroke in order to make more contact. While he's added nearly 40 pounds since originally joining the organization in 2017, he'll need to continue adding strength to his still-lanky frame in order to be able to handle major league pitching. A gap-to-gap hitter with plus speed, he projects to have more doubles power than over-the-fence pop, but a positive sign in 2022 was the nine home runs he hit--surpassing his combined total of two from his previous three seasons. Hernandez is a plus defender who can stay in center field, with an average arm that would allow him to play all three positions in a fourth outfielder role. He's aggressive on the field and a hard worker who has adapted well to new hitting philosophies introduced by the Royals hitting development team.
  
  The Future: Hernandez's development is not going to be rushed, with a return to Double-A in 2023 his most likely destination. He's been added to the 40-man roster and will head to spring training with the major league squad.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  August Update: The lean, lanky Hernandez has always teased with his potential, but growing into his body and gaining strength has resulted in his best season at the plate, with more home runs in less than half a season in High-A than his combined total in three previous seasons. A swing change has resulted in him hitting more line drives, with his batting line improving each month. He was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Aug. 9.