Wynton Bernard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #24 prospect in 2016
  Bernard is close to completing one of baseball's most unusual journeys to the big leagues. The Padres drafted Bernard as 35th-round organizational filler in 2012, had him spend most of 2013 in the short-season Northwest League, then released him. When the Tigers held an open tryout camp at spring training in 2014, Bernard impressed the Tigers with his speed, so they signed him and assigned him to low Class A West Michigan. Bernard hit well there, though he was already 23. It was a surprise when the Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the season, but he didn't miss a beat in 2015 when he skipped a level and he hit over .300 in Double-A. Bernard's best tool is his plus speed. His swing isn't pretty, but he has a knack for finding the barrel, putting the ball in play often on the ground and using his wheels. Bernard was a dead pull hitter when he got to the Tigers, but he did a better job of using right field last season. He has the speed for center field and is an average defender. Though he might never be more than the 25th man on the roster, Bernard has extraordinary drive to get the most out of his ability and continues to defy expectations. He should move up to Triple-A next season.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  Bernard is close to completing one of baseball's most unusual journeys to the big leagues. The Padres drafted Bernard as 35th-round organizational filler in 2012, had him spend most of 2013 in the short-season Northwest League, then released him. When the Tigers held an open tryout camp at spring training in 2014, Bernard impressed the Tigers with his speed, so they signed him and assigned him to low Class A West Michigan. Bernard hit well there, though he was already 23. It was a surprise when the Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the season, but he didn't miss a beat in 2015 when he skipped a level and he hit over .300 in Double-A. Bernard's best tool is his plus speed. His swing isn't pretty, but he has a knack for finding the barrel, putting the ball in play often on the ground and using his wheels. Bernard was a dead pull hitter when he got to the Tigers, but he did a better job of using right field last season. He has the speed for center field and is an average defender. Though he might never be more than the 25th man on the roster, Bernard has extraordinary drive to get the most out of his ability and continues to defy expectations. He should move up to Triple-A next season.