Yanquiel Fernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #4 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High.
  
  Track Record: Signed out of Cuba in July 2019 for $295,000, Fernandez looks like one of the Rockies’ best investments in recent years. He dominated the Dominican Summer League in his 2021 pro debut before leading the Low-A California League in RBIs in 2022. Fernandez reached Double-A by the end of 2023 and returned to Hartford to begin 2024. It took time for Fernandez to find his footing at Double-A. He hit .283/.339/.439 in 89 games before being promoted to Triple-A on Aug. 6.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez is a physical slugger with huge raw power and a plus arm. He has above-average pure contact skills, but his poor swing decisions drag down his overall offensive profile. Fernandez excels at adjusting his barrel to get on plane with breaking balls and changeups, both pitches which he hits at an above-average rate. His greatest struggles come when trying to discern balls and strikes. This leads to whiffs and poor contact on pitches he should simply take. What Fernandez does have is special hands, which give him the ability to adjust on the fly and send balls into orbit when he finds the barrel. He has plus-plus power projection if he can optimize his ball flight. Fernandez’s lack of selectivity might limit his overall power output, but adjustments could lead to a higher contact rate, more sustainable on-base skills and a higher rate of barrels on balls in play. Fernandez is a below-average runner who is acceptable in a corner outfield spot because of his plus arm.
  
  The Future: Fernandez is a corner outfielder with power whose poor swing decisions will cut into his production. If he can improve his ability to discern balls and strikes, he could develop into a 30-home run threat. Fernandez will likely return to Triple-A to begin 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #3 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: A native of Cuba, Fernandez signed for $295,000 in 2019 but had to wait to make his pro debut until the 2021 Dominican Summer League. He impressed by hitting .333/.406/.531, flashing advanced bat-to-ball skills and power. Fernandez made his U.S. debut the following spring with Low-A Fresno. He once again impressed, leading the California League with 109 RBIs. Fernandez began his 2023 with High-A Spokane, hitting .319/.354/.605 with 17 home runs in 58 games to earn a promotion to Double-A Hartford on June 21. Fernandez struggled against more advanced pitchers and should return to Hartford to begin 2024.
  
  Scouting Report: A power-over-everything profile, Fernandez possesses sneaky bat-to-ball skills, driven by his gifted hands. His hand strength and bat speed allow him to make adjustments mid-swing, still finding his power when he is off-balance. He’s an aggressive swinger who can often swing himself into outs. An improvement in swing decisions would go a long way toward cutting down on some of Fernandez’s swing and miss. His power is easy plus in games, with a chance to fully tap into his double-plus raw as he refines his plate skills. Fernandez shows easy power to all fields with the ability to pulverize mistakes he gets the barrel on. He’s a fringe-average runner who will likely slow down to below-average at peak. This limits him to an outfield corner, where he’s playable, mostly due to his plus arm with plus-plus arm strength. His throwing ability will likely allow him to carve out a role in either corner outfield spot despite below-average fielding ability.
  
  The Future: Fernandez is a potential middle-of-the-order power hitter with all-star potential if he can refine his approach at the plate.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #13 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Fernandez signed out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019 and broke out in the Dominican Summer League during the summer of 2021, when he hit .333/.406/.531 with six home runs over 54 games. Fernandez moved to Low-A in 2022 and set the Fresno franchise record with 109 RBIs. That mark also stood as the fourth-most in the minors overall.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez has a power-over-everything profile and looks to do damage on every swing. He swings quite often, partly because he can get his barrel to pitches in and out of the zone. Despite his swing-happy approach, Fernandez possesses above-average contact skills that allow him to put to bat to ball at a high rate on pitches in the zone. His contact ability, combined with his bat speed and strength allows him to show plus power to all fields, with the high-end exit velocities to match. He's a below-average runner, and his speed limits him to an outfield corner, where he's a below-average defender. Fernandez keeps baserunners honest with a plus throwing arm that helped him rack up seven outfield assists at Fresno.
  
  The Future: How Fernandez's approach develops will dictate his ultimate role, as his overzealous approach could limit the upside of his eye-popping power tool. His ceiling is as a classic power-hitting corner outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 40. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #18 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Fernandez signed with the Rockies out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019, and it quickly became apparent he had the talent to match some of the top players in that year’s international class. He made his pro debut as an 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2021 and ranked sixth in the league with a .937 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez is a physical lefthanded hitter with a power stroke. It’s a loose swing with good bat speed, leverage and strength behind it, posting top-end exit velocities that approach 110 mph. It should be at least plus raw power once he fills out, with a chance to be a 30 home run hitter in his prime. He recognizes pitches well for his age and generally stays within the strike zone. Fernandez has big offensive upside and is a smart player, but his lack of mobility restricts him defensively. He has a strong arm, but he’s a well below-average runner who might slow down more, with some risk he could go to first base.
  
  The Future: Fernandez will have to mash given his defensive limits, but he has the offensive upside to hit in the middle of a lineup.
  
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #28 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Fernandez signed with the Rockies for $295,000 in 2019, making him a key piece of the international signing class that also included Adael Amador. He was considered to be one of the best lefthanded power bats available in the class but did not get a chance to make his pro debut in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez cuts an imposing figure in the batter's box even at just 17 years old. He has plus power and is to project as a middle-of-the-order bat if everything goes well. The Rockies only expect him to get stronger and potentially tick up another power grade. While he's certainly a power hitter first, he uses his hands well, controls the strike zone and has a chance to be an average hitter. Fernandez has a strong arm in the outfield but a lack of foot speed may limit him to a corner and a below-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is a long way from the big leagues, but his big power could lead him to make a splash in his debut in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #22 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Dominican shortstop Adael Amador was the prize signing of Colorado's 2019 international signing class, but Fernandez has made a loud impression as well. After Fernandez left Cuba, he signed with the Rockies at 16 for $295,0000.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez is a strong, physical player with a chance to hit in the middle of a lineup. His strength and bat speed jump out, producing plus raw power with good leverage from a loose lefty stroke. He uses his hands well at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone and recognizing pitches with advanced hitting instincts for his age. A smart player who is a student of the game, Fernandez uses the whole field and hangs in well against lefthanded pitching already. Fernandez has an arm that earns plus or better grades, but his value will come from what he does at the plate, as he's a below-average runner and athlete with limited range in an outfield corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is far from the major leagues and has yet to make his pro debut, but he's one of the most exciting power bats in the organization.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #47 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Fernandez signed out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019 and broke out in the Dominican Summer League during the summer of 2021, when he hit .333/.406/.531 with six home runs over 54 games. Fernandez moved to Low-A in 2022 and set the Fresno franchise record with 109 RBIs. That mark also stood as the fourth-most in the minors overall.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez has a power-over-everything profile and looks to do damage on every swing. He swings quite often, partly because he can get his barrel to pitches in and out of the zone. Despite his swing-happy approach, Fernandez possesses above-average contact skills that allow him to put to bat to ball at a high rate on pitches in the zone. His contact ability, combined with his bat speed and strength allows him to show plus power to all fields, with the high-end exit velocities to match. He's a below-average runner, and his speed limits him to an outfield corner, where he's a below-average defender. Fernandez keeps baserunners honest with a plus throwing arm that helped him rack up seven outfield assists at Fresno.
  
  The Future: How Fernandez's approach develops will dictate his ultimate role, as his overzealous approach could limit the upside of his eye-popping power tool. His ceiling is as a classic power-hitting corner outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 40. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Fernandez signed out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019 and broke out in the Dominican Summer League during the summer of 2021, when he hit .333/.406/.531 with six home runs over 54 games. Fernandez moved to Low-A in 2022 and set the Fresno franchise record with 109 RBIs. That mark also stood as the fourth-most in the minors overall.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez has a power-over-everything profile and looks to do damage on every swing. He swings quite often, partly because he can get his barrel to pitches in and out of the zone. Despite his swing-happy approach, Fernandez possesses above-average contact skills that allow him to put to bat to ball at a high rate on pitches in the zone. His contact ability, combined with his bat speed and strength allows him to show plus power to all fields, with the high-end exit velocities to match. He's a below-average runner, and his speed limits him to an outfield corner, where he's a below-average defender. Fernandez keeps baserunners honest with a plus throwing arm that helped him rack up seven outfield assists at Fresno.
  
  The Future: How Fernandez's approach develops will dictate his ultimate role, as his overzealous approach could limit the upside of his eye-popping power tool. His ceiling is as a classic power-hitting corner outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 40. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record:: Fernandez signed with the Rockies out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019, and it quickly became apparent he had the talent to match some of the top players in that year&#39s international class. He made his pro debut as an 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2021 and ranked sixth in the league with a .937 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez is a physical lefthanded hitter with a power stroke. It&#39s a loose swing with good bat speed, leverage and strength behind it, posting top-end exit velocities that approach 110 mph. It should be at least plus raw power once he fills out, with a chance to be a 30 home run hitter in his prime. He recognizes pitches well for his age and generally stays within the strike zone. Fernandez has big offensive upside and is a smart player, but his lack of mobility restricts him defensively. He has a strong arm, but he&#39s a well below-average runner who might slow down more, with some risk he could go to first base.
  
  The Future: Fernandez will have to mash given his defensive limits, but he has the offensive upside to hit in the middle of a lineup.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Fernandez signed with the Rockies out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019, and it quickly became apparent he had the talent to match some of the top players in that year’s international class. He made his pro debut as an 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2021 and ranked sixth in the league with a .937 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez is a physical lefthanded hitter with a power stroke. It’s a loose swing with good bat speed, leverage and strength behind it, posting top-end exit velocities that approach 110 mph. It should be at least plus raw power once he fills out, with a chance to be a 30 home run hitter in his prime. He recognizes pitches well for his age and generally stays within the strike zone. Fernandez has big offensive upside and is a smart player, but his lack of mobility restricts him defensively. He has a strong arm, but he’s a well below-average runner who might slow down more, with some risk he could go to first base.
  
  The Future: Fernandez will have to mash given his defensive limits, but he has the offensive upside to hit in the middle of a lineup.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Fernandez signed with the Rockies for $295,000 in 2019, making him a key piece of the international signing class that also included Adael Amador. He was considered to be one of the best lefthanded power bats available in the class but did not get a chance to make his pro debut in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez cuts an imposing figure in the batter's box even at just 17 years old. He has plus power and is to project as a middle-of-the-order bat if everything goes well. The Rockies only expect him to get stronger and potentially tick up another power grade. While he's certainly a power hitter first, he uses his hands well, controls the strike zone and has a chance to be an average hitter. Fernandez has a strong arm in the outfield but a lack of foot speed may limit him to a corner and a below-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is a long way from the big leagues, but his big power could lead him to make a splash in his debut in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Fernandez signed with the Rockies for $295,000 in 2019, making him a key piece of the international signing class that also included Adael Amador. He was considered to be one of the best lefthanded power bats available in the class but did not get a chance to make his pro debut in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez cuts an imposing figure in the batter's box even at just 17 years old. He has plus power and is to project as a middle-of-the-order bat if everything goes well. The Rockies only expect him to get stronger and potentially tick up another power grade. While he's certainly a power hitter first, he uses his hands well, controls the strike zone and has a chance to be an average hitter. Fernandez has a strong arm in the outfield but a lack of foot speed may limit him to a corner and a below-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is a long way from the big leagues, but his big power could lead him to make a splash in his debut in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Fernandez signed with the Rockies for $295,000 in 2019, making him a key piece of the international signing class that also included Adael Amador. He was considered to be one of the best lefthanded power bats available in the class but did not get a chance to make his pro debut in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez cuts an imposing figure in the batter's box even at just 17 years old. He has plus power and is to project as a middle-of-the-order bat if everything goes well. The Rockies only expect him to get stronger and potentially tick up another power grade. While he's certainly a power hitter first, he uses his hands well, controls the strike zone and has a chance to be an average hitter. Fernandez has a strong arm in the outfield but a lack of foot speed may limit him to a corner and a below-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is a long way from the big leagues, but his big power could lead him to make a splash in his debut in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Dominican shortstop Adael Amador was the prize signing of Colorado’s 2019 international signing class, but Fernandez has made a loud impression as well. After Fernandez left Cuba, he signed with the Rockies at 16 for $295,0000.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez is a strong, physical player with a chance to hit in the middle of a lineup. His strength and bat speed jump out, producing plus raw power with good leverage from a loose lefty stroke. He uses his hands well at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone and recognizing pitches with advanced hitting instincts for his age. A smart player who is a student of the game, Fernandez uses the whole field and hangs in well against lefthanded pitching already. Fernandez has an arm that earns plus or better grades, but his value will come from what he does at the plate, as he’s a BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme below-average runner and athlete with limited range in an outfield corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is far from the major leagues and has yet to make his pro debut, but he’s one of the most exciting power bats in the organization.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Dominican shortstop Adael Amador was the prize signing of Colorado's 2019 international signing class, but Fernandez has made a loud impression as well. After Fernandez left Cuba, he signed with the Rockies at 16 for $295,0000.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez is a strong, physical player with a chance to hit in the middle of a lineup. His strength and bat speed jump out, producing plus raw power with good leverage from a loose lefty stroke. He uses his hands well at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone and recognizing pitches with advanced hitting instincts for his age. A smart player who is a student of the game, Fernandez uses the whole field and hangs in well against lefthanded pitching already. Fernandez has an arm that earns plus or better grades, but his value will come from what he does at the plate, as he's a below-average runner and athlete with limited range in an outfield corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Fernandez is far from the major leagues and has yet to make his pro debut, but he's one of the most exciting power bats in the organization.