Cristian Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #7 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Hernandez trained at the same program in the Dominican Republic that produced big league righthanders Cristian Javier and Deivi Garcia and emerged as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international class. The Cubs signed him for a franchise-record $3 million bonus and assigned him the Dominican Summer League in 2021, where he had a solid pro debut. Hernandez made his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022 and continued to show promising tools and athleticism, but he slumped as the year progressed and posted a concerning 30.2% strikeout rate.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez stands out with a lean, athletic 6-foot-2 frame that has plenty of room to fill out. He has excellent bat speed and generates plus power to all fields with remarkable ease. He consistently impacts the ball and could have plus-plus power once he reaches physical maturity. Hernandez hits balls hard when he connects, but his swing gets long and he chases too often, particularly against breaking balls. He has the physical ingredients to be an average hitter who gets to his power in games, but he has to tighten his swing and approach. Hernandez is a smooth defender at shortstop with the actions, hands and plus arm strength to stick at the position. He is a below-average runner with a tick below-average range, so he may move to third base as he gets bigger and loses a step. He would be at least an above-average defender at the hot corner.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be a power-hitting shortstop, but he has a lot of offensive adjustments to make before he can reach that ceiling. He'll make his full-season debut with Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #2 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Hernandez showed elite swing mechanics from an early age in the Dominican Republic and established himself as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international signing class. The Cubs signed him for $3 million, a franchise record for an international amateur, the first day the signing period opened. Hernandez began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League and delivered a promising early return on that investment. He posted an .822 OPS with 21 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (30) as strikeouts (39).
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez is the rare explosive athlete who is also a polished hitter for his age. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and keeps his barrel through the zone for a long time. He effortlessly drives the ball hard to all fields and projects to grow into plus power as he fills out his projectable, 6-foot-2 frame. Hernandez got off to a slow start in his pro debut, but he showed the ability to adjust and caught fire at the end of the season. He has a high baseball IQ and a preternatural ability to slow the game down. Hernandez is impressively coordinated for his age and has the hands, instincts and range to be an average defender at shortstop. He may outgrow the position as he fills out and has the plus arm strength for third base if he has to move.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup, but he’s a long way away. He is set to make his U.S. debut in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #3 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Several international scouts considered Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez to be the best player available in the 2020 international class. He has enormous upside, with the offensive ability to develop into an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup and the defensive skills that could keep him at shortstop. The Cubs signed him for $3 million when the international period opened on Jan. 15.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez is 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with elite swing mechanics that have stood out for years while training in the Mejia Top 10 program. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and stays through the hitting zone for a long time. Hernandez has a knack for manipulating the bat head, enabling him to barrel pitches in all parts of the strike zone and drive the ball well to all fields. He has performed well in games and showed big power for his age early on during batting practice, with that power translating more now against live pitching. Hernandez needs little effort to generate that power, which flashes plus and should grade higher once he fills out his lean, athletic frame. He could develop into a plus or better hitter with a chance for 30-plus home runs. Early on, some scouts questioned whether Hernandez would eventually outgrow shortstop. Instead, he has enhanced his athleticism, speed and defensive ability over the last couple of years. He's now at least a plus runner underway, moving well to both sides at shortstop with the range, hands and instincts to stay there. He can throw from different angles with a plus arm that could bump up a grade once he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez is still 17 and like everyone else in the 2020-21 international class needs to be tested in pro games, but he has a chance to develop into a premium player.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #81 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Hernandez trained at the same program in the Dominican Republic that produced big league righthanders Cristian Javier and Deivi Garcia and emerged as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international class. The Cubs signed him for a franchise-record $3 million bonus and assigned him the Dominican Summer League in 2021, where he had a solid pro debut. Hernandez made his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022 and continued to show promising tools and athleticism, but he slumped as the year progressed and posted a concerning 30.2% strikeout rate.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez stands out with a lean, athletic 6-foot-2 frame that has plenty of room to fill out. He has excellent bat speed and generates plus power to all fields with remarkable ease. He consistently impacts the ball and could have plus-plus power once he reaches physical maturity. Hernandez hits balls hard when he connects, but his swing gets long and he chases too often, particularly against breaking balls. He has the physical ingredients to be an average hitter who gets to his power in games, but he has to tighten his swing and approach. Hernandez is a smooth defender at shortstop with the actions, hands and plus arm strength to stick at the position. He is a below-average runner with a tick below-average range, so he may move to third base as he gets bigger and loses a step. He would be at least an above-average defender at the hot corner.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be a power-hitting shortstop, but he has a lot of offensive adjustments to make before he can reach that ceiling. He'll make his full-season debut with Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Hernandez trained at the same program in the Dominican Republic that produced big league righthanders Cristian Javier and Deivi Garcia and emerged as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international class. The Cubs signed him for a franchise-record $3 million bonus and assigned him the Dominican Summer League in 2021, where he had a solid pro debut. Hernandez made his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022 and continued to show promising tools and athleticism, but he slumped as the year progressed and posted a concerning 30.2% strikeout rate.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez stands out with a lean, athletic 6-foot-2 frame that has plenty of room to fill out. He has excellent bat speed and generates plus power to all fields with remarkable ease. He consistently impacts the ball and could have plus-plus power once he reaches physical maturity. Hernandez hits balls hard when he connects, but his swing gets long and he chases too often, particularly against breaking balls. He has the physical ingredients to be an average hitter who gets to his power in games, but he has to tighten his swing and approach. Hernandez is a smooth defender at shortstop with the actions, hands and plus arm strength to stick at the position. He is a below-average runner with a tick below-average range, so he may move to third base as he gets bigger and loses a step. He would be at least an above-average defender at the hot corner.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be a power-hitting shortstop, but he has a lot of offensive adjustments to make before he can reach that ceiling. He'll make his full-season debut with Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 60/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Hernandez showed elite swing mechanics from an early age in the Dominican Republic and established himself as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international signing class. The Cubs signed him for $3 million, a franchise record for an international amateur, the first day the signing period opened. Hernandez began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League and delivered a promising early return on that investment. He posted an .822 OPS with 21 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (30) as strikeouts (39).
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez is the rare explosive athlete who is also a polished hitter for his age. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and keeps his barrel through the zone for a long time. He effortlessly drives the ball hard to all fields and projects to grow into plus power as he fills out his projectable, 6-foot-2 frame. Hernandez got off to a slow start in his pro debut, but he showed the ability to adjust and caught fire at the end of the season. He has a high baseball IQ and a preternatural ability to slow the game down. Hernandez is impressively coordinated for his age and has the hands, instincts and range to be an average defender at shortstop. He may outgrow the position as he fills out and has the plus arm strength for third base if he has to move.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup, but he&#39s a long way away. He is set to make his U.S. debut in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Hernandez showed elite swing mechanics from an early age in the Dominican Republic and established himself as arguably the top player in the 2020-21 international signing class. The Cubs signed him for $3 million, a franchise record for an international amateur, the first day the signing period opened. Hernandez began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League and delivered a promising early return on that investment. He posted an .822 OPS with 21 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (30) as strikeouts (39).
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez is the rare explosive athlete who is also a polished hitter for his age. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and keeps his barrel through the zone for a long time. He effortlessly drives the ball hard to all fields and projects to grow into plus power as he fills out his projectable, 6-foot-2 frame. Hernandez got off to a slow start in his pro debut, but he showed the ability to adjust and caught fire at the end of the season. He has a high baseball IQ and a preternatural ability to slow the game down. Hernandez is impressively coordinated for his age and has the hands, instincts and range to be an average defender at shortstop. He may outgrow the position as he fills out and has the plus arm strength for third base if he has to move.
  
  The Future: Hernandez has the potential to be an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup, but he’s a long way away. He is set to make his U.S. debut in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Several international scouts considered Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez to be the best player available in the 2020 international class. He has enormous upside, with the offensive ability to develop into an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup and the defensive skills that could keep him at shortstop. The Cubs signed him for $3 million when the international period opened on Jan. 15.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez is 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with elite swing mechanics that have stood out for years while training in the Mejia Top 10 program. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and stays through the hitting zone for a long time. Hernandez has a knack for manipulating the bat head, enabling him to barrel pitches in all parts of the strike zone and drive the ball well to all fields. He has performed well in games and showed big power for his age early on during batting practice, with that power translating more now against live pitching. Hernandez needs little effort to generate that power, which flashes plus and should grade higher once he fills out his lean, athletic frame. He could develop into a plus or better hitter with a chance for 30-plus home runs. Early on, some scouts questioned whether Hernandez would eventually outgrow shortstop. Instead, he has enhanced his athleticism, speed and defensive ability over the last couple of years. He's now at least a plus runner underway, moving well to both sides at shortstop with the range, hands and instincts to stay there. He can throw from different angles with a plus arm that could bump up a grade once he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez is still 17 and like everyone else in the 2020-21 international class needs to be tested in pro games, but he has a chance to develop into a premium player.
• January, 2021 Scouting Report
  On pure talent, Hernandez has a case to make as the top overall player in the international class. He has an outstanding, high-level swing, with fast bat speed and a barrel that stays on plane through the hitting zone for a long time. He has performed well in games and drives the ball with impact, giving him a chance for plus or better raw power, especially once he fills out his projectable build. Hernandez's bat is what generates the most attention, but he's also a good athlete and a plus runner. The Cubs are expected to sign Hernandez, who trains in the Mejia Top 10 program, for around $3.5 million.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Several international scouts considered Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez to be the best player available in the 2020 international class. He has enormous upside, with the offensive ability to develop into an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup and the defensive skills that could keep him at shortstop. The Cubs signed him for $3 million when the international period opened on Jan. 15.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez is 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with elite swing mechanics that have stood out for years while training in the Mejia Top 10 program. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and stays through the hitting zone for a long time. Hernandez has a knack for manipulating the bat head, enabling him to barrel pitches in all parts of the strike zone and drive the ball well to all fields. He has performed well in games and showed big power for his age early on during batting practice, with that power translating more now against live pitching. Hernandez needs little effort to generate that power, which flashes plus and should grade higher once he fills out his lean, athletic frame. He could develop into a plus or better hitter with a chance for 30-plus home runs. Early on, some scouts questioned whether Hernandez would eventually outgrow shortstop. Instead, he has enhanced his athleticism, speed and defensive ability over the last couple of years. He's now at least a plus runner underway, moving well to both sides at shortstop with the range, hands and instincts to stay there. He can throw from different angles with a plus arm that could bump up a grade once he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hernandez is still 17 and like everyone else in the 2020-21 international class needs to be tested in pro games, but he has a chance to develop into a premium player.