Vince Fernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #24 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Big West Conference player of the year in 2016, Fernandez has proven to be a productive hitter in pro ball. He followed up 16 home runs in his first full season, at low Class A Asheville in 2017, with 25 doubles, eight triples and 24 home runs at high Class A Lancaster in 2018.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez is a legitimate hitter who still figures to get stronger. He has a consistent power swing and uses his hands well. He shows above-average power to all fields but gets himself in trouble when he gets too aggressive, which is underscored by 172 strikeouts in 2018 and a career strikeout rate of 31 percent. Fernandez's bat will determine how far he goes. He is best suited to left field and can catch what he gets to, but his range is merely adequate. He does have above-average arm strength.
  
  The Future: After his first two full seasons were spent in hitter-friendly ballparks, Fernandez faces a big test in 2019 with his likely move to Double-A Hartford. This will be a good test of how well he adapts, and his ability to make some adjustments to ensure more consistent contact.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #27 prospect in 2018
  Fernandez led the Big West Conference in total bases and finished third in home runs in 2016 with UC Riverside before the Rockies drafted him in the 10th round. He has carried that pop into pro ball with 40 doubles and 21 home runs in 151 career games. Fernandez has some tools, but evaluators mostly see a player whose entire package fits well together and who has great feel for the game. Offensively, Fernandez possesses a solid, consistent swing that generates above-average power to all fields. He hits with his hands, adjusts the barrel and still has some room to get stronger. He can get overly aggressive at times and run into contact issues, which showed up with 122 strikeouts in 100 games at low Class A Asheville. Defensively, Fernandez does the job in the outfield corners. He catches what needs to be caught, but isn't going to necessarily make the eye-popping catch. He is above-average arm strength and is best in left field, although he can slide to right. Fernandez has a chance to keep putting up numbers at high Class A Lancaster in 2018 and could continue to rise as a lefthanded power bat.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #223 prospect in 2016 draft
  In a down draft year for the West, Fernandez was a split-camp player who figures to be drafted around the fifth round because of his good 6-foot-4, 205-pound athletic frame and the lack of position players in the West. He had just 17 extra-base hits in 203 at-bats and has had serious contact issues in two years as a starter (117 strikeouts in 409 ABs). However, he's tooled up and heated up with his power as the season's end drew near. Fernandez is an above-average runner underway who can play center field but profiles better on a corner. He has plus raw power and he showed above-average arm this spring, after showing poor arm strength due to a shoulder injury during his summer in the Cape Cod League. He may profile for right if he gets to his power enough. Inconsistency with his focus and offensive approach hold Fernandez back, but he's improved under former big leaguer Troy Percival, the Highlanders' coach. He lays off spin more and makes more hard contact. He's got the frame to add 15-20 more pounds comfortably and could be a late bloomer.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  In a down draft year for the West, Fernandez was a split-camp player who figures to be drafted around the fifth round because of his good 6-foot-4, 205-pound athletic frame and the lack of position players in the West. He had just 17 extra-base hits in 203 at-bats and has had serious contact issues in two years as a starter (117 strikeouts in 409 ABs). However, he's tooled up and heated up with his power as the season's end drew near. Fernandez is an above-average runner underway who can play center field but profiles better on a corner. He has plus raw power and he showed above-average arm this spring, after showing poor arm strength due to a shoulder injury during his summer in the Cape Cod League. He may profile for right if he gets to his power enough. Inconsistency with his focus and offensive approach hold Fernandez back, but he's improved under former big leaguer Troy Percival, the Highlanders' coach. He lays off spin more and makes more hard contact. He's got the frame to add 15-20 more pounds comfortably and could be a late bloomer.