Jan Hernandez: Prospect Profile for Philadelphia Phillies’ 3rd-Round Pick

Player: Jan Hernandez

Drafted by: Philadelphia Phillies (No. 96 overall)

Position: 3B

DOB: 1/3/1995 (Age: 18)

Height/Weight: 6’3″/195 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico)

College Commitment: None

 

Background

Like last year’s top pick, Carlos Correa, Jan Hernandez has drawn a lot of interest coming out of a Puerto Rico baseball academy. While he won’t be taken as high as his fellow countryman, Hernandez does offer a good package of tools that make him a second-round talent. 

Even though Hernandez has played shortstop throughout his amateur career, it is obvious from his huge frame and eventual weight gain that he is going to be pushed over to third base. Fortunately, he has a solid profile for the position and could turn into a quality big leaguer down the line. 

 

Full Scouting Report

Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 80-point scouting scale, with the current score first and projected score second.

Hitting: 40/50

Good swing with some polish already; bat speed is very good, though not elite; will have some contact issues, even against average velocity, with big leg kick and uppercut finish; must prove he can adjust to pitches down in the zone to hit for average. 

 

Power: 40/50

Still growing into power, despite large frame already; swing is geared more for power than contact, but potential for strikeouts limit home run ceiling; if he adjusts to professional pitching, power could end up being better than average. 

 

Plate Discipline: 35/50

Capable of driving a fastball over the fence with ease; doesn’t get great reads on off-speed stuff; shows a tendency to chase pitches down in the zone; pitch recognition is below average; won’t walk a lot, but shows enough to get on base at a decent clip. 

 

Speed: 45/40

Already a fringe-average runner; not going to beat out a lot of infield hits, but should do better than just station to station in pros; speed will decrease as he ages and adds more weight; won’t be big part of his game in three years. 

 

Defense: 50/50

Shows solid footwork at shortstop right now; limited range now and in the future will push him to third base; good glove and soft hands will play well at third base; must learn to react to the hitter rather than the ball when he moves to hot corner. 

 

Arm: 60/60

Best present and future tool; can make all the throws from shortstop; very good moving deep into the hole on his right side; accuracy is very good; will have one of the better third base arms in the future. 

 

MLB Player Comparison: Will Middlebrooks

 

Projection: Average third baseman on first-division team with good power potential. 

 

MLB ETA: 2017

 

Chances of Signing: 90%

While it is dangerous to put such a high number on a high school-aged player, when you really break Hernandez down, it seems clear that he is almost a lock to sign on the dotted line as soon as he is selected. 

The biggest clue is that Hernandez has yet to commit to a college, though he is reportedly considering the University of Miami. By not committing yet, he is giving teams every indication that he is ready to start his pro career right away. 

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