Wilkel Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Angels signed Hernandez in 2015 on the promise of his projectable frame and mid-80s fastball. After spending 2017 in Rookie ball, the Angels dealt him to the Tigers for Ian Kinsler at the Winter Meetings. Hernandez made his full-season debut at low Class A West Michigan in 2019. He logged over 100 innings and posted a career-best 2.3 walks per nine innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez attacks hitters with a fastball that now sits 92-93 mph and tops out at 95. He still has room to add strength and grow into more velocity, allowing it to project as a potential plus pitch as he fills out. His curveball needs refinement but shows signs of being an average pitch down the road. Hernandez also uses his changeup a fair amount, but like his breaking ball, it projects near average at best. While his control has been suspect in the past, it has started to trend positively and could end up being near above-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Executives are split as to whether Hernandez's stuff would hold up in the rotation. He will try to show it can at high Class A Lakeland in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Angels signed Hernandez in 2015 based off his projectability and the present mid-80s fastball he was sporting when he was signed. The pitch ticked up shortly after he turned pro, and he turned in an excellent season in 2017 in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He was dealt to the Tigers for Ian Kinsler at the 2017 Winter Meetings.
  
  Scouting Report: Hernandez has a lively arm that produces fastballs that have touched 96 mph. It’s a future 60-grade pitch and pairs well with his curveball, which grades as future-average. His third-best pitch is a changeup, and he doesn’t have particularly good control of it at the moment. He has a solid pitcher’s body, and there is room for added physicality and further projection with his offerings.
  
  The Future: With an above-average fastball/curveball combination, Hernandez could eventually find relief work in higher-leverage situations. He will have to improve upon his control, which has the potential to be average. Hernandez will be ticketed for more time in the Midwest League in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2018
  The Tigers' rebuild hit full speed when Justin Verlander was dealt to the Astros. That helped make further decisions like trading away Ian Kinsler easier to make and Hernandez is a key part of that trade's return. Hernandez, who signed as a 16-year-old for $125,000, put on about 20 pounds from the 2016 season, and the added weight and strength was reflected in his fastball velocity, which sat 93 mph with good movement and touched 96 mph in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2017. Hernandez has a good feel for his changeup, which he can throw to lefthanded and righthanded batters as an average pitch. He has a nice, loose arm and impressed with his competitive nature and work ethic. Hernandez's primary focus coming out of his first full season in the U.S. is to improve his inconsistent curveball, which has good shape but is a little slow. The pitch, which Hernandez learned in the instructional league in 2017, was in the low 70s this season; it needs more arm speed and conviction. It's too soon to determine whether Hernandez projects as a starter or a reliever. Hernandez doesn't turn 19 until after the start of the 2018 season, but may get a shot at full-season ball with low Class A West Michigan.

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Angels signed Hernandez in 2015 on the promise of his projectable frame and mid-80s fastball. After spending 2017 in Rookie ball, the Angels dealt him to the Tigers for Ian Kinsler at the Winter Meetings. Hernandez made his full-season debut at low Class A West Michigan in 2019. He logged over 100 innings and posted a career-best 2.3 walks per nine innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez attacks hitters with a fastball that now sits 92-93 mph and tops out at 95. He still has room to add strength and grow into more velocity, allowing it to project as a potential plus pitch as he fills out. His curveball needs refinement but shows signs of being an average pitch down the road. Hernandez also uses his changeup a fair amount, but like his breaking ball, it projects near average at best. While his control has been suspect in the past, it has started to trend positively and could end up being near above-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Executives are split as to whether Hernandez's stuff would hold up in the rotation. He will try to show it can at high Class A Lakeland in 2020.