Javier Herrera Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2177
AVG	.282
OBP	.36
SLG	.461
HR	79

Full name Javier Armando Herrera
Born 04/09/1985 in Caracas, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Herrera was highly touted after ranking as the short-season Northwest League's top prospect in 2004, but was suspended for two weeks in 2005 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, then missed all of 2006 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Herrera didn't return until spring training last year and hamstring problems limited him to just 82 games. When he's healthy, Herrera's tools still rank among the best in the system. He's a five-tool player with exceptional bat speed, power, speed, defense and arm strength. His strong wrists help his righthanded stroke produce hard contact to all fields. Herrera's work ethic first came into question when he wasn't fully committed to his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Scouts are critical about his lackadaisical demeanor on the field, as he appears to do what he wants to do and not what's expected of him. His hamstring issues have reduced his speed and limited his range in center field. He never had a lot of plate discipline, and it regressed last season. Herrera might be destined for a corner spot if he can't keep his legs healthy, in which case he'd have to show more power. He's still just 22 and relatively raw from all the missed time, and he'll try to put in a full season in Double-A this year.
Considered on the fast track after ranking as the Northwest League's top prospect in 2004, Herrera has hit significant speed bumps the last two seasons. He was suspended for violating baseball's performance enhancing drug policy in 2005, then missed all of 2006 after injuring his elbow in spring training. He had Tommy John surgery and wasn't ready to return for instructional league. Herrera has more athletic ability than anyone in the system. He has above-average power and speed, a sound swing and center-field skills. He had the A's best outfield arm before his surgery and it should bounce back. He started drawing more walks in low Class A two years ago. Herrera has yet to play 100 games in a season and has played just five above low Class A. Many Tommy John surgery alumni--especially hitters--have returned quicker than Herrera, leading to suspicion that he didn't attack his rehabilitation as he should have. When he last played, he struck out 111 times in 372 at-bats in 2005 because he tends to overswing. Herrera may struggle in 2007 if his plan is to work his way back into shape. Even if he's a bit heavier and slower in his return, his power potential allows him to profile as a corner outfielder. He'll head to high Class A Stockton as soon as he's healthy.
Herrera won MVP honors in the short-season Northwest League in 2004, but his encore was delayed when he was suspended after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance before Opening Day. Once he returned, his natural talent took over. He earned a one-week May stint in Triple-A when Sacramento was decimated by injuries. Herrera's combination of raw tools outclasses that of any A's farmhand. A true five-tool talent, he can hit for average, flashes plus power and is a well-above-average runner. He took to the Oakland approach in 2005, dramatically improving his walk rate. He's a good center fielder with a plus arm. Herrera is still a work in progress when it comes to translating his tools to performance. He has a tendency to overswing, leading to high strikeout totals. He needs to improve his throwing accuracy and his routes in the outfield, especially on balls hit in front of him. The A's have a rare commodity in Herrera, a potential 30-30 man in center field. His progress will continue one step at a time with an assignment to high Class A in 2006.
In 2003, his first season in the United States, Herrera crashed into the wall during a Rookie-level Arizona League game and temporarily lost all feeling in his legs. Fully recovered in 2004, he was named MVP of the short-season Northwest League, where he was the lone player to reach double figures in both home runs and stolen bases. On pure tools and athletic ability, Herrera has more upside than any player in the system. He grades out at average or above in all five tools. He already has translated his power to game situations and was successful on 23 of 24 steal attempts in the NWL. Defensively, he has the speed to play center field and the arm for right. Herrera's aggressive approach at the plate could use refinement, and he has trouble with good breaking balls. In the outfield, he often must use his plus speed to offset bad jumps. He's understandably still a little tentative going back on balls toward the wall. Javier is ready to showcase his skills at the full-season level. He should spend most or all of 2005 at low Class A Kane County.
Of the players on this list who signed their first pro contract with Oakland, Herrera and Esteban German are the only ones who aren't college products. Herrera has five-tool potential, but drew the most attention in 2003 when he ran into the center-field fence during a Rookie-level Arizona League game on July 1. He had to be airlifted to a Phoenix hospital after losing all feeling in his legs. Herrera made a complete recovery but wasn't as electric once he returned. He has center-field speed, a plus-plus arm and early signs of power. He's unpolished and will need a lot more experience and adjustments. He tends to play out of control and is overaggressive at the plate. He'll probably return to the AZL in 2004.

Minor League Top Prospects

After winning Northwest League MVP honors last summer, Herrera got off to a slow start in 2005. He was suspended for the first 15 days of the season for failing an MLB offseason test for performance-enhancing substances, then needed another two weeks to get his average above the Mendoza Line. Once he finally got going, it became evident why he's regarded as the best tools player in the Oakland system. "His best tool is everything," Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes said. "He can run, he has a phenomenal arm, he has power and he can hit." For all his physical ability, Herrera is still raw and sometimes out of control. He can get too aggressive at the plate and with his throws. He sometimes takes shaky routes in center field, especially on balls hit in front on him, and relies on his speed to make up for his mistakes.
Managers voted Herrera as league MVP and called him the circuit's most exciting player because he showcased five tools, all of which rate at least average. Herrera ranked third in batting and second in steals, showing off his smooth stroke and good speed. His power stroke should deliver 20-30 home runs annually in the majors. He chased breaking balls at times, and still must correct his strikeout-walk ratio, but also showed the ability to make in-game adjustments and not get fooled on the same pitch twice. Herrera takes great routes to balls in the outfield and possesses a strong right-field arm, though he has the wheels to play center as well. He looks smooth in everything he does, and just needs to remember to keep his focus for nine innings over the course of the season; Herrera was guilty of drifting at times. Still managers were in awe of the precocious 19-year-old's upside. "For a young kid, how he handled himself, you thought he ought to be in advanced A-ball," Gideon said.
Herrera crashed awkwardly into the center-field fence on July 1, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. He was taken from the field in a helicopter and missed several weeks recuperating. He showed five-tool potential early but wasn't the same player after he returned. He's just 18, so he might be back in the AZL in 2004. "He can run and really play center field," Escalera said, "but he needs to calm down a bit at the plate. He's out of control at times. But the ball really jumps off his bat. The power will come."