Anderson Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #11 prospect in 2007
  No Mets prospect took a bigger step forward in 2005, but few stalled as much as Hernandez in 2006. He opened the season as the Mets' second baseman, but he struggled with the bat and then was sidelined with a bulging disc. By the time he recovered, Jose Valentin had displaced him as the Mets' regular second baseman. Hernandez' strength is his defensive ability. He has soft hands, plus range and an above-average arm but sometimes gets lazy and doesn't charge balls aggressively enough. A natural righthanded hitter, Hernandez was adept from both sides of the plate in 2005 and hit .298 from the left side. That dropped to .232 in 2006 and he looked far better from his natural side. Hernandez gets too pull conscious and has excess movement in his stance. He needs to improve his plate discipline to reduce his strikeouts and take advantage of his above-average speed. After struggling in the big leagues and losing his job, he began to press to prove he belonged and it only made matters worse. The Mets still do not have a long-term solution at second base-- Valentin is 37--so the opportunity is still there for Hernandez to establish himself, but it's looking more and more like he's destined for a utility role.
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  Ranked New York Mets #5 prospect in 2006
  No player in the organization bolstered his prospect status in 2005 more than Hernandez. After coming over from the Tigers in a trade for Vance Wilson, he shed his good-field/no-hit reputation and emerged as a potential everyday player. A switch-hitter, Hernandez is adept from both sides of the plate. He has learned to focus on using the whole field and to make use of his plus speed. Defensively, he has very soft hands, above-average range and an average, accurate arm. He has excellent body control and lateral mobility. For a player with very little power, Hernandez doesn't control the strike zone, and he needs to do a better job of making contact. For all his defensive gifts, he gets himself into trouble when he tries to be flashy. Hernandez isn't going to move Jose Reyes off of shortstop, but the disappointing Kaz Matsui is vulnerable at second base. Most likely, Hernandez will wind up becoming a dependable utilityman.
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  Ranked New York Mets #17 prospect in 2005
  Acquired in a January deal for catcher Vance Wilson, Hernandez immediately became the Mets' best shortstop prospect. Long considered the top defensive shortstop in the Tigers organization, Hernandez bounced back last year after a pair of disappointing seasons to show his bat isn't a lost cause. He still has work to do offensively, however. While added strength has helped him at the plate, he strikes out too much to take advantage of his above-average speed and doesn't drive the ball. He operates with more of a slap-hitting approach, which doesn't complement his free-swinging style. Hernandez' glove is major league-ready. He has fluid shortstop actions, excellent range and a strong arm. He has the athletic ability and body control to make accurate throws from all angles on the run. He toned down his tendency to be too flashy last season and was much more consistent on routine plays. Hernandez probably will open 2005 in Triple-A, but it's hard to imagine him pushing Jose Reyes or Kaz Matsui for a starting job in the Mets' middle infield.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #25 prospect in 2004
  Shaken by the death of his father and struggling with other off-field issues, Hernandez had a disappointing season in 2003. He remains the best defensive infielder in the system, with exceptional range, extraordinarily fluid movements, a cannon arm and soft hands. But just when it was expected he would step up his offensive production, it declined while he repeated high Class A. Hernandez lacks strength and plate discipline. He seldom pulls the ball and he swings at way too many bad pitches. He has plus speed but doesn't reach base enough to use it. There also are concerns surrounding his makeup. Hernandez' career is at a crossroads and he'll have to rebound in 2004, probably in Double-A. Last year's third-round pick, Tony Giarratano, has already moved way past him as the system's top shortstop.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #10 prospect in 2003
  Because he was 18 when he signed out of the Dominican Republic in April 2001, Hernandez has been pushed through the system. He made his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League and jumped to Lakeland for his first full season. Hernandez has handled the challenges well. A brilliant fielder, Hernandez is the best defensive shortstop in the organization. That's saying something with Omar Infante and Ramon Santiago on hand. Hernandez has excellent range, extraordinary arm strength and soft hands. As a hitter, he held his own in 2002 despite being young for the Florida State League. More quick than fast, he has average baserunning speed. A switch-hitter, Hernandez seldom turns on pitches or pulls the ball with authority. He hits everything to the opposite field, particularly while hitting lefthanded. He also needs a better understanding of the strike zone. For all of his brilliance with the glove, Hernandez still makes too many errors. He tends to sulk after poor performances. Hernandez will be one of the youngest regular position players in Double-A at age 20. He'll move as quickly as his bat allows.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2002
  The Tigers are high on many of their middle-infield prospects. New York-Penn League batting champ Juan Francia and Juan Gonzalez, who finished second in the Gulf Coast League batting race, couldn't quite crack this list. Hernandez, whom managers rated as the No. 2 prospect in the GCL behind Chad Petty, just barely made it. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in April, Hernandez led the GCL in triples and steals in his pro debut. An athletic switch-hitter, he's not very big and will have to get stronger and more disciplined to be much of a threat at the plate. His speed and defense are his strengths. He has more than enough range and arm to stay at shortstop. Hernandez could start 2002 in extended spring before heading to short-season ball in June, or he could open the year in low Class A if the Tigers decide to be more aggressive with him.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #2 prospect in 2001
  Hernandez lacks size and hitting prowess, but managers universally praised his speed, arm strength and infield actions. He also earned high marks for his exciting style of play. The switch-hitting Hernandez signed with the Tigers in April out of the Dominican Republic and led the league in triples and stolen bases. "He's a small kid," Royals manager Lino Garcia said, "but he's fluid and athletic, has a great arm and range and usually puts the ball in play." "He's a big league shortstop already," DeArmas said. "He makes all the plays."

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Hernandez lacks size and hitting prowess, but managers universally praised his speed, arm strength and infield actions. He also earned high marks for his exciting style of play. The switch-hitting Hernandez signed with the Tigers in April out of the Dominican Republic and led the league in triples and stolen bases. "He's a small kid," Royals manager Lino Garcia said, "but he's fluid and athletic, has a great arm and range and usually puts the ball in play." "He's a big league shortstop already," DeArmas said. "He makes all the plays."