Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KC | RHP | 10 | 45 |
Grades Update: May 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 50 | 40 | 60 | 50/45 |
May 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 1
RuleV: 2024
Physical Description: Average height, thin muscular frame with some bulk in his lower half. Ability to add muscle and good weight in the coming years. Above-average athleticism, moves well on the mound.
Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-wind-up; tall and fall delivery; short claw arm action; high 3/4 slot, fast arm. Easy, clean repeatable mechanics with a little bit of effort at release. Repeats well, stays on time, finishes in good position to field.
Fastball: Sits 90-93 mph; up to 96 mph in game last spring. Locates best to the gloveside; run over ride movement profile, but will flash good shape elevated. Locates well to all four quadrants, not a bat missing pitch, but sets up changeup well. Gets an average grade to ability to locate and velocity projection. Grade: 50
Curveball: Below average mid-70s breaking ball, used as a change of pace pitch. Will show good late downward break when he gets on top of it. Can get slurvy and he can break off a few non-competitive pitches. Improvement on this pitch is essentially to maintain starter's future. Grade: 40
Changeup: Plus pitch; low-80s with late run and tumble. Sold well with arm speed, tunnels with fastball before dropping as it hits the zone. Can throw in any count against either handedness. Go-to out pitch that generates ugly swings and misses. Grade: 60
Control and Command: Fastball and changeup command is above average, as Hernandez works all around the zone with both pitches. Breaking ball command is poor. Needs to improve in that regard to avoid two-pitch relief role. Above-average strike thrower that works in the zone. Doesn't get behind often and sets himself up. Fastball is hittable and he often catches too much of the middle of the plate. Control: 50 | Command: 45
Overall: A young talented arm with projection in his fastball and advanced feel for his changeup. Needs to improve feel for his breaking ball to avoid future relief role. Adding velocity and improving his breaking ball could push the profile up a full role grade. Still early in Hernandez's career with a wide range of outcomes. Shows advanced pitchability for a young prep arm.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 or High Leverage Reliever
Risk: Extreme
