Odubel Herrera

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #12 prospect in 2015
  Signed by the Rangers for $160,000 as a 16-year-old back in 2008, Herrera always has been an offensive-oriented prospect who hits for a high average'though a rough 2013 season at Double-A Frisco dropped his stock. He regrouped in 2014, winning the Texas League batting title (.321) and ranking third in on-base percentage (.373). Swimming in middle-infield prospects, the Rangers did not add Herrera to the 40-man roster, and the Phillies selected him in the major league Rule 5 draft. He has a quick, compact stroke and squares up line drives to all fields. He showed better patience at the plate in 2014 than he did the previous year, which is important because his swing doesn't have much loft and he doesn't have the power to crack double-digit homers. Despite his thick body, Herrera is a plus runner, though he needs to improve his jumps to become a more effective basestealer. Managers voted him the best defensive second baseman in the TL in 2014, a testament to the improvements he has made, along with a thin crop at the position in the league. He's still a fringy defender, but that's better than he was before, and he has an average arm. He spent some time in the outfield in the regular season, and was playing center field while leading the Venezuelan League in batting in winter ball. His versatility and bat give him a good chance to stick with the rebuilding Phillies in 2015.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #27 prospect in 2012
  Though he doesn't look the part with thick legs and a barrel chest, Herrera was a star volleyball player in Venezuela and has a 40-inch vertical jump. He knew his future was on the diamond, though, and he signed with the Rangers for $160,000 in 2008. Herrera moved from shortstop to second base when he made his U.S. debut in 2010. Last year, he ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League in hitting at age 19, and he batted .339 over the final three months. Herrera doesn't have loud tools, but he's a gritty gamer who has the fastest bat in the system. He has a short, compact swing with great hip rotation and a knack for making hard contact. He presently has gap power but might grow into more as he adds strength, though home runs won't ever be a significant part of his game. Herrera has the athleticism, instincts and arm strength to handle shortstop in a pinch, though he fits best at second base, where he's a solid defender with soft hands and good movements around the bag. He could end up being a utility player down the line. Herrera has above-average speed and runs the bases well. He'll continue as Jurickson Profar's double-play partner in high Class A this year.