Jonathan Herrera Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1200
AVG	.259
OBP	.316
SLG	.329
HR	10

Full name Jonathan Alejandro Herrera
Born 11/03/1984 in Maracaibo, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Manuel Segundo Sanchez
Debut 04/30/2008

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Herrera made his big league debut last year, yet was removed from the 40-man roster in November. The Rockies say that was more a statement on the organization's middle infield depth than Herrera's abilities. The club did immediately re-sign him to a minor league deal and invited him to big league spring training. A natural righthanded hitter, Herrera has worked on switch-hitting hard enough that he is actually more in sync from the left side of the plate now. He is a contact hitter, but after stealing 34 bases in Modesto in 2006, he has a combined total of 34 thefts at Tulsa (18), Colorado Springs (15) and in the big leagues (1) the last two years. He was originally a shortstop, which gives him utility infielder potential, and he worked in the outfield last season to add to his versatility. Herrera has little power to speak of, limiting his offensive upside and preventing him from being a big league regular.
Herrera rebounded from a 15-game suspension for violating baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy in 2005 to become a California League all-star while repeating high Class A in 2006. His batting average dropped 53 points last year in his first shot at Double-A, though he was selected to play in the Texas League all-star game. A natural righthander before he started switch-hitting, Herrera was better from the left side of the plate in 2007. He's decent but nothing special with the bat. He makes contact but has only modest power, and he has above-average speed but isn't much of a basestealing threat. He was caught 12 times in 30 attempts last year. Though he played solely at shortstop in 2007, Herrera's biggest asset is his ability to also handle second and third base, and he projects as more of a utilityman than a regular on a contender. He has good range and enhances his plus arm with a quick release. Herrera tends to wear down over the course of a long season and lose his focus. He didn't show much progress in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason and could benefit from repeating Double-A, but fellow shortstop prospect Chris Nelson is ready to move up.
Herrera served a 15-game suspension in 2005 for violating MLB's policy on performanceenhancing substances. He bounced back, hit his way out of low Class A and spent the rest of that season in high Class A. In a return trip last year, Herrera showed enough that the Rockies added him to the 40-man roster. Managers rated him the top defensive shortstop in the California League. Herrera has dazzling defensive skills with plus range, arm strength and a quick release. He's not a burner, but he runs above-average and knows how to use his speed on the bases. He emerged as a legitimate leadoff candidate in high Class A. He began taking pitches and incorporated bunting in his offensive game. He led the organization with 24 bunt base hits. He also worked counts deep and went the other way. Herrera has modest power but has to be careful not to try and hit home runs. He's naturally righthanded and has more power from that side of the plate, but stays inside on the ball better from the left side. Herrera will jump to Double-A in 2007.

Minor League Top Prospects

Herrera looked overmatched in his first tour through the Cal League as a backup to Troy Tulowitzki in 2005, but his game matured in every facet this year. Herrera and fellow speedy middle infielder Corey Wimberly caused all kinds of havoc atop the Modesto lineup, and Herrera had the much more impressive all-around game. "He was a pain in the neck," Lancaster manager Brett Butler said. "He knows how to play the game. He's a little fireball and a leader on the field, and I'd take him on my team any day of the week." Far more than just a sparkplug, Herrera has four average or better tools and is beginning to show some sneaky pop. He dazzles at shortstop thanks to his excellent range, smooth instincts, slightly above-average arm and quick release. His plus speed also helps him on the basepaths, where he's an aggressive basestealer. As a hitter, Herrera has quick hands and can sting line drives to all fields from both sides of the plate. He still plays a little out of control sometimes, but he's becoming more selective and projects as a solid-average hitter with gap power and occasional home run pop.