Player Profile: Adrian Hernandez

 

Photo by Ernest Dove

Here is a continued look at Mets Prospects and Players as we get ready for the 2021 Baseball season.

Today: Adrian Hernandez.

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

CF, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 2/8/2001, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; 5' 9", 210 pounds; International Free Agent signing for $1.5M on 7/2/17.

In 2017 the Mets made some aggressive signings with SS Ronny Mauricio for $2.1M and OF Adrian Hernandez for $1.5M.

In 2018, as a 17 year old, Adrian Hernandez played 63 games in the Dominican Summer League – 5 Home Runs, 34 RBIs, .261/.351/.386. 

In 2019 he moved the Gulf Coast league but only saw action in 4 games when his season was ended with a knee injury.

He was not one of the outfielders at the recent Mets Florida Instructional Camp in October 2020.

Mets Insider Blog: “Hernandez’s quick bat produces raw power that helped him land on scouts’ radars. With a 5-foot-9 frame and weighing 210 pounds, Hernandez packs a lot of strength in his game. With that strength comes a lot of speed which benefits Hernandez both offensive and defensively.”

Prospects1500.com has Adrian as the #13 2021 Mets Prospect saying: “A highly touted 2017 J2 signing, Hernandez has a large collection of tools. Hernandez has yet to be able to really showcase his tools as he missed almost all of 2019 with a serious leg injury. 2021 will be a big season for him as he will be two years removed from his injury, which should be a good determination if he has fully recovered or has been zapped of some of tools such as his speed and power.”

Amazing Avenue recently ranked him at #21: Standing 5’9” and weighing 210 lbs., Hernandez is built like a running back and his profile centers around that strength. His bat speed, which was considered among the best in the 2017-2018 international rookie class, is explosive. When combined with his physical strength, Hernandez boasts plus raw power. 

His ability to hit is currently raw, with a swing that has too much of an uppercut and moves out of the zone too quickly, and a shows a vulnerability to spin. Once his pitch recognition and barrel control develop further, and his hit tool improve, the outfielder could develop above-average to plus in-game power as well.

Last year Metsmerized Online had Adrian Hernandez as their #17 Mets Prospect:  “For four games to star the Gulf Coast League season, we saw a glimpse of what Hernandez could be with his hitting for power and showcasing his speed on the base paths and in the field. Unfortunately, with Hernandez suffering a season ending knee injury, we would only get that glimpse. There is no expectation the knee injury was structurally significant, robbing him of his immense natural ability.”

He placed #22 on our Ultimate Prospect in April 2020 list which combined every other Mets Prospect List into one.

Baseball Savant: 2020 Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

FanGraphs:

Hit	Game Power	Raw Power	Speed	Field	Throws	FV
20 / 45	25 / 50	50 / 55	50 / 55	40 / 50	50 / 50	40

 

Stats:

 

Hitting:

Fielding:

Videos and Tweets:

 

Welcome to the @Mets Adrian Hernandez. #Macho scouting Fernando Encarnacion pic.twitter.com/bO8n7NPzmq

— Steve Barningham (@Stevebarningham) July 2, 2017

🚨 Weird line alert 🚨#Mets 17-year-old prospect Adrian Hernandez somehow managed to do this today: 1-for-5, 0 BB, 4 R

Only 4 times in @MLB history has a player had 5 AB, 1 H, 0 BB & 4 R

Hernandez is No. 14 on the @Mets' Top 30: https://t.co/5JMSo3Dr29 pic.twitter.com/gWI75SuV1b

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 9, 2018

Some minor leaguers are beginning to trickle into Mets camp. Spotted on the back fields this morning: 19-year-old outfield prospect Adrian Hernandez, who signed a $1.5 million contract in 2017. pic.twitter.com/19mG5KqqWX

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 22, 2020