Chad Hermansen

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #1 prospect in 1999
  Background: Hermansen has made rapid progress through the Pirates system and has had little trouble hitting anywhere. Before his 21st birthday, he had 81 home runs and 277 RBIs in four full minor league seasons. Hermansen also has been a man on the move. He was a shortstop for two years before moving to center field early in 1997. He then shifted to second base late that year and began 1998 at that position until he went to the outfield one week into the season. The Pirates say he's in the outfield to stay. Strengths: As evidenced by his season against more experienced pitchers at Triple-A, Hermansen has outstanding power potential. He also has above-average speed and the potential to be a 30-30 player in the major leagues. He has good baserunning instincts, as he was thrown out just four times in 25 attempts last season. Though he has been a nomad defensively, Hermansen has good range and a good arm. If he doesn't cut it in center field, he should be able to play at least an average left field. Topping off Hermansen's package is the fact he is extremely mature and one of the most likable players in the organization. Weaknesses: Hermansen is a free swinger who needs to cut down on his strikeouts to be an effective major league hitter. He must become more patient and work on hitting breaking balls and off speed pitches. In particular, hard sliders give him problems. Hermansen is still getting used to playing the outfield but experience should smooth out the rough spots. The Future: Still in need of fine-tuning at the plate and settling in one spot in the field, Hermansen will repeat this season in Triple-A. Expect him to be in the big league lineup by Opening Day, 2000.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #20 prospect in 2000
  Hermansen spent 1998 and 1999 in Triple-A, hitting a total of 60 home runs to lay claim to the Pirates’ center-field job for 2000. He quickly lost it, though, by batting .185 in Pittsburgh and posting a dismal .163 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot. He didn’t fare much better after getting sent down, hitting .224 and striking out in nearly one-third of his at-bats. Managers thought his career could go either way at this point. Hermansen is a very good athlete who has the range and arm to play a fine center field. Roof said he had the quickest bat in the league, and Gamboa noted that he can crush any fastball. He also runs well enough to steal a few bases. However, Hermansen never has made the necessary adjustments to hit breaking pitches. He looks for fastballs and pulls off offspeed stuff, and pitchers are more than willing to let him chase curves and sliders out of the strike zone. His walk rate has declined precipitously during the last two seasons. Trembley believes Hermansen still will become a very good major leaguer, while another manager opined that he was better at age 18 than he is four years later.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #4 prospect in 1999
  Hermansen signed as a shortstop, and was tried at second base and left field before being moved to center field. "I like him in center field," Pitts said. "He can run and he can throw. He can definitely play in center field." "He's an outstanding player, an outstanding person," Biagini said. "He can play center. He has tremendous foot speed, tremendous range. And he has an accurate throwing arm. "He is mature beyond his years as a hitter. He will develop as a hitter for average and a hitter for power, and he'll be a huge run scorer. He's a young 22 with two years of Triple-A experience. It's unusual for a hitter that young and with so many defensive challenges to keep his head above water at this level."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #33 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #37 prospect in 1999
• Ranked Baseball America's #13 prospect in 1998
• Ranked Baseball America's #21 prospect in 1997
• Ranked Baseball America's #54 prospect in 1996

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Hermansen spent 1998 and 1999 in Triple-A, hitting a total of 60 home runs to lay claim to the Pirates’ center-field job for 2000. He quickly lost it, though, by batting .185 in Pittsburgh and posting a dismal .163 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot. He didn’t fare much better after getting sent down, hitting .224 and striking out in nearly one-third of his at-bats. Managers thought his career could go either way at this point. Hermansen is a very good athlete who has the range and arm to play a fine center field. Roof said he had the quickest bat in the league, and Gamboa noted that he can crush any fastball. He also runs well enough to steal a few bases. However, Hermansen never has made the necessary adjustments to hit breaking pitches. He looks for fastballs and pulls off offspeed stuff, and pitchers are more than willing to let him chase curves and sliders out of the strike zone. His walk rate has declined precipitously during the last two seasons. Trembley believes Hermansen still will become a very good major leaguer, while another manager opined that he was better at age 18 than he is four years later.