Darell Hernaiz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #7 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Drafted by the Orioles in 2019, Hernaiz kickstarted his ascent through the minors by hitting .273 with 12 homers across three levels in 2022 and finishing at Double-A. The Athletics took notice and acquired him that winter in the deal that sent Cole Irvin to Baltimore. Hernaiz hit .321 in 131 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernaiz makes ample contact via a direct path to the ball and strong feel for the barrel. He also has a solid understanding of the strike zone and posted a nearly even strikeout-to-walk ratio at Triple-A in his age-21 season. He’s an aggressive hitter, especially early in the count, employing an all-fields approach. While he produces above-average exit velocities for his age, he has a bit of a BABIP-dependent profile. His downhill swing plane isn’t geared toward launch, tempering his power potential. Hernaiz posted a 51.6% groundball rate in his first taste of Triple-A. He also had significant reverse splits in 2023, particularly struggling against offspeed pitches from lefthanders. Defensively, Hernaiz benefited from working with A’s Double-A manager Bobby Crosby, who will join Oakland’s big league staff in 2024. Hernaiz has the hands and range to stay at shortstop, but his fringe-average arm is tested on more difficult throws. Some within the organization believe he ultimately moves to either second or third base. Hernaiz is a solid runner with good baserunning instincts, but there are concerns he may slow down as his body continues to fill out.
  
  The Future: While he may have an opportunity to win Oakland’s starting shortstop job out of spring training, Hernaiz could ultimately settle into a super-utility type role once other shortstops arrive.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #18 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Young hitters like Hernaiz, who signed for $400,000 in 2019, were among Orioles GM Mike Elias' chief concerns from a developmental standpoint during the canceled 2020 season. Hernaiz's uneven path through the low minors showed why as he needed to repeat Low-A Delmarva in 2022. He went back to dominate the level, and performed well at High-A Aberdeen as well, meaning he finished the year at age-21 at Double-A Bowie. He was traded to the A's in Jan. 2023 in a swap that sent Cole Irvin to the Orioles.
  
  Scouting Report: After learning to be more consistent in his preparation and getting a feel for full-season baseball in 2021, Hernaiz was better able to show his strong contact skills and line-drive approach that could make him an average hitter with at-best average power by better controlling the zone. Hernaiz hit the ball harder with more consistency without losing any of his contact ability at the lower levels. He finds the sweet spot consistently -- his nickname isn't Barrels only because it rhymes. However, exposure to Double-A pitching where secondaries are better commanded proved challenging for Hernaiz, especially when it came to swing decisions. Defensively, Hernaiz has the athleticism and actions to play shortstop but the arm to play third and the overall ability to handle second base as well if he's pushed off shortstop. He's also one of the organization's most instinctive and effective base-stealers, swiping 32 bases in 2022 thanks to his plus speed.
  
  The Future: Hernaiz has the potential to be more than an athletic utility player if he continues to develop offensively, but that floor seems much more reachable after his impressive 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #25 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Hernaiz was still 17 years old when the Orioles drafted and signed him for $400,000 to make him the highest drafted player from El Paso's Americas High and keep him from a longstanding Texas Tech commitment.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Plenty of refinement is required for the slight Hernaiz, but there could be an interesting player to grow from his current package. Hernaiz is a great athlete in the middle of the field with the arm for third base if he outgrows shortstop. He displays great energy and zeal for the game. Hernaiz possesses plus bat speed with average raw power, though a flyball rate above 50 percent in his pro debut creates an interesting profile, especially if he grows into game power and those turn into extra-base hits.
  
  THE FUTURE: A young, up-the-middle prep talent at this stage in the draft is irresistible, though it hasn't exactly panned out for the Orioles before. They see at least average, everyday potential in Hernaiz, and more if his power develops. A full-season assignment would be a challenge in 2020 but a worthwhile one.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #439 prospect in 2019 draft
  An athletic, 6-foot-1, 180-pound shortstop committed to Texas Tech, Harnaiz has shown some solid defensive actions, but his arm strength is currently better suited for second base. He has some bat speed at the plate, but is currently a light bat. There's not much polish currently in Hernaiz's game, but teams like his overall athleticism.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Young hitters like Hernaiz, who signed for $400,000 in 2019, were among Orioles GM Mike Elias' chief concerns from a developmental standpoint during the canceled 2020 season. Hernaiz's uneven path through the low minors showed why as he needed to repeat Low-A Delmarva in 2022. He went back to dominate the level, and performed well at High-A Aberdeen as well, meaning he finished the year at age-21 at Double-A Bowie. He was traded to the A's in Jan. 2023 in a swap that sent Cole Irvin to the Orioles.
  
  Scouting Report: After learning to be more consistent in his preparation and getting a feel for full-season baseball in 2021, Hernaiz was better able to show his strong contact skills and line-drive approach that could make him an average hitter with at-best average power by better controlling the zone. Hernaiz hit the ball harder with more consistency without losing any of his contact ability at the lower levels. He finds the sweet spot consistently -- his nickname isn't Barrels only because it rhymes. However, exposure to Double-A pitching where secondaries are better commanded proved challenging for Hernaiz, especially when it came to swing decisions. Defensively, Hernaiz has the athleticism and actions to play shortstop but the arm to play third and the overall ability to handle second base as well if he's pushed off shortstop. He's also one of the organization's most instinctive and effective base-stealers, swiping 32 bases in 2022 thanks to his plus speed.
  
  The Future: Hernaiz has the potential to be more than an athletic utility player if he continues to develop offensively, but that floor seems much more reachable after his impressive 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Young hitters like Hernaiz, who signed for $400,000 in 2019, were among Orioles GM Mike Elias' chief concerns from a developmental standpoint during the canceled 2020 season. Hernaiz's uneven path through the low minors showed why as he needed to repeat Low-A Delmarva in 2022. He went back to dominate the level, and performed well at High-A Aberdeen as well, meaning he finished the year at age-21 at Double-A Bowie. He was traded to the A's in Jan. 2023 in a swap that sent Cole Irvin to the Orioles.
  
  Scouting Report: After learning to be more consistent in his preparation and getting a feel for full-season baseball in 2021, Hernaiz was better able to show his strong contact skills and line-drive approach that could make him an average hitter with at-best average power by better controlling the zone. Hernaiz hit the ball harder with more consistency without losing any of his contact ability at the lower levels. He finds the sweet spot consistently -- his nickname isn't Barrels only because it rhymes. However, exposure to Double-A pitching where secondaries are better commanded proved challenging for Hernaiz, especially when it came to swing decisions. Defensively, Hernaiz has the athleticism and actions to play shortstop but the arm to play third and the overall ability to handle second base as well if he's pushed off shortstop. He's also one of the organization's most instinctive and effective base-stealers, swiping 32 bases in 2022 thanks to his plus speed.
  
  The Future: Hernaiz has the potential to be more than an athletic utility player if he continues to develop offensively, but that floor seems much more reachable after his impressive 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernaiz stood out as a toolsy infielder who was still 17 years old at the time of the 2019 draft. The Rangers drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for a below-slot $400,000 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. Hernaiz posted a .371 on-base percentage in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after signing and impressed opposing scouts during 2020 instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernaiz's youth shows at times, but there's plenty for the Orioles to work with. He has natural contact skills and projects for average power with the loft in his swing. Further refinement of his mechanics and approach could boost his offensive output. Hernaiz is a tremendous athlete who can stay up the middle on the infield dirt. He has the actions and instincts to stick at shortstop and average arm that will play at third base if he outgrows the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Young high school draftees were who the Orioles were most worried about missing the 2020 season from a development standpoint. The hope is the year away doesn't knock Hernaiz too far off his long-term projection as a solid utilityman.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernaiz stood out as a toolsy infielder who was still 17 years old at the time of the 2019 draft. The Rangers drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for a below-slot $400,000 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. Hernaiz posted a .371 on-base percentage in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after signing and impressed opposing scouts during 2020 instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernaiz's youth shows at times, but there's plenty for the Orioles to work with. He has natural contact skills and projects for average power with the loft in his swing. Further refinement of his mechanics and approach could boost his offensive output. Hernaiz is a tremendous athlete who can stay up the middle on the infield dirt. He has the actions and instincts to stick at shortstop and average arm that will play at third base if he outgrows the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Young high school draftees were who the Orioles were most worried about missing the 2020 season from a development standpoint. The hope is the year away doesn't knock Hernaiz too far off his long-term projection as a solid utilityman.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernaiz was still 17 years old when the Orioles drafted and signed him for $400,000 to make him the highest drafted player from El Paso’s Americas High and keep him from a longstanding Texas Tech commitment.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Plenty of refinement is required for the slight Hernaiz, but there could be an interesting player to grow from his current package. Hernaiz is a great athlete in the middle of the field with the arm for third base if he outgrows shortstop. He displays great energy and zeal for the game. Hernaiz possesses plus bat speed with average raw power, though a flyball rate above 50 percent in his pro debut creates an interesting profile, especially if he grows into game power and those turn into extra-base hits.
  
  THE FUTURE: A young, up-the-middle prep talent at this stage in the draft is irresistible, though it hasn’t exactly panned out for the Orioles before. They see at least average, everyday potential in Hernaiz, and more if his power develops. A full-season assignment would be a challenge in 2020 but a worthwhile one. BA GRADE 45 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: High BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hernaiz was still 17 years old when the Orioles drafted and signed him for $400,000 to make him the highest drafted player from El Paso's Americas High and keep him from a longstanding Texas Tech commitment.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Plenty of refinement is required for the slight Hernaiz, but there could be an interesting player to grow from his current package. Hernaiz is a great athlete in the middle of the field with the arm for third base if he outgrows shortstop. He displays great energy and zeal for the game. Hernaiz possesses plus bat speed with average raw power, though a flyball rate above 50 percent in his pro debut creates an interesting profile, especially if he grows into game power and those turn into extra-base hits.
  
  THE FUTURE: A young, up-the-middle prep talent at this stage in the draft is irresistible, though it hasn't exactly panned out for the Orioles before. They see at least average, everyday potential in Hernaiz, and more if his power develops. A full-season assignment would be a challenge in 2020 but a worthwhile one.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  An athletic, 6-foot-1, 180-pound shortstop committed to Texas Tech, Harnaiz has shown some solid defensive actions, but his arm strength is currently better suited for second base. He has some bat speed at the plate, but is currently a light bat. There's not much polish currently in Hernaiz's game, but teams like his overall athleticism.