Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PIT | OF | 17 | 45 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 45 | 55 | 45 | 55 | 45 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Justin Lada
Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 30
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Physical build in a medium-sized frame. Broad shoulders. Since signing with the Pirates and foregoing a commitment to Maryland after high school, Herman has filled out his frame already, looking physically stronger in his chest and arms. There's a little room left to add some strength. He's already a well built, athletic, and physical 21 year old.
Hit: Uses a square-ish stand. Very compact with knees bent and upper half slightly crouched with his chest over his knees. Bat is horizontal over his shoulder. Hands are slightly active pre-pitch. Very modest leg kick timing mechanism to start his load. Starts working the barrel right on his load and gets it vertical to work it around. Very little wasted movement in his swing. Leg kick slightly closes him off and keeps his back hip and weight back and rotates extremely well once his front foot gets down. Plus bat speed and quick hands. Gets the bat and barrel through to the zone efficiently. Adjusts to velocity well. Shows decent command of the strike zone. Was young for his level in 2019 (19 at Low-A) and showed some struggles with breaking pitches and could be beat up in the zone. Ingredients for average hit tool if he shows the ability to adjust to breaking pitches. Grade: 45
Power: Rotational athlete and generates eas bat speed. Works the barrel around efficiently and shows a good feel for it. Line drive type swing but does show the ability to use shoulders and upper half to match plane and drive the ball with loft. Natural strength, feel for the barrel and plus bat speed are all there for above-average power. Grade: 55
Field: Wasn't challenged in many pro looks but is an average runner and appeared to make good reads and took efficient routes to balls to his left and right. Should be close to an average defender in right field and could fill in at centerfield. Grade: 45
Arm: No looks at his throwing arm in pro ball but pitched in high school and clocked outfield throws up to 94 as an amateur. Throws through his body with a good motion. Good carry on his throws. Grade: 55
Run: Clocked 4.33 home to first. Choppy steps but pushes back with legs well. Strong runner but average speed at best, and probably fringe-average as he ages and if he fills out the frame a little more. Won't be an impact base runner but shows good instincts on the bases and could add some value that way. Grade: 45
Overall: Herman missed half of his junior season with a left shoulder subluxation. Strong work ethic allowed him to come back strong, giving him markup for plus character. The Pirates challenged him assigning him at the SAL at 19 where he had some swing and miss issues but showed some patience and power. He's not a big, physical type mashing type right fielder, but he has the strength, bat speed and feel for the barrel to give him above-average raw power. Efficient swing will give him a chance to hit enough if he can work on weak spots up in the zone and spin recognition. Has a chance to be a mild-variance above-average right fielder with power and a good arm for the position.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench/Platoon
Risk: Moderate
