Guillermo Heredia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #18 prospect in 2017
  Heredia made his name as a two-time gold-glove center fielder in Cuba's Serie Nacional and was the starting center fielder for the Cuban national team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He left Cuba in January 2015 and signed with the Mariners in February 2016. Heredia is a defense-first outfielder with an explosive first step and the ability to make both routine plays and spectacular ones. After beginning the year at Double-A Jackson, Heredia received a callup to Seattle for good in August and served as a late-game defensive replacement at both corner-outfield spots down the stretch. His plus defense and above-average arm allow him to play all three outfield spots, though center is where he can best use his speed, superb instincts and extensive range to maximum effect. He is an average hitter with little power who works counts and controls the strike zone well enough to consistently get on base. Heredia profiles as a valuable glove-first fourth outfielder and will fill that role for the Mariners in 2017.

• November, 2016 Scouting Report
  Heredia had a breakthrough season as a 21-year-old in Cuba during the 2011-12 season, when he batted .343/.439/.527 in 443 plate appearances and won a gold glove award. The following year, Heredia took over as the center fielder on the Cuban national team at the World Baseball Classic. He won another gold glove in 2012-13, but his offensive numbers regressed and he eventually left the country in January 2015. Declared a free agent in August, Heredia draws praise for his defense but gives scouts pause about his offensive game. He's a plus runner with a quick first step and terrific acceleration. He gets great reads off the bat in center field, even on balls hit directly over his head, giving him excellent range. He also has a strong arm, though it's not always accurate. Heredia had been a switch-hitter, but during his last full season in Cuba, he dropped the lefty swing, making him the rare lefthanded thrower who bats exclusively righthanded. His bat is quick, his hands stay short to the ball and he doesn't expand the strike zone much. While he doesn't swing and miss often, he doesn't do much damage when he does connect. His swing doesn't have much load, his weight transfers forward early and he pushes the bat, with below-average power. If Heredia can iron out some things with his swing, he could be an everyday player, though more skeptical scouts believe he's more of a fourth outfielder. He's exempt from the international bonus pools, though he could use some time in Triple-A first.