Jack Herman

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #29 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Herman out of high school in the 30th round in 2018, a spot where high school picks normally end up going to college. Herman, however, signed with the Pirates for $50,000 instead of heading to Maryland and already looks like a good value. He hit .340 after signing in his pro debut and moved to low Class A Greensboro in 2019, where he posted an .804 OPS in 75 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Previously regarded as a contact hitter, Herman added muscle in the offseason to improve his power production and saw results. He hit 13 home runs in just 75 games at Greensboro and finished fourth on the team with a .464 slugging percentage. That increased power came with a drop in his contact skills, however, and a strikeout rate that nearly doubled from 2018. Herman has quick hands and sound swing mechanics and now needs to find the balance between hitting for average and hitting for power. He profiles as a right fielder, with plus arm strength and enough range that he could play center field in a pinch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herman will likely see high Class A Bradenton in 2020, where he'll be challenged to find out who he is as a hitter.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #17 prospect in 2018
  Herman flew under the radar as a high school senior in New Jersey this spring. Drafted No. 849 overall in the 30th round, Herman signed for just $50,000 rather than go to Maryland, but he made a strong impression around the GCL after ranking second in the league in OBP and third in batting average. Herman has an advanced offensive approach for an 18-year-old. He's a smart hitter with a sharp eye for the strike zone, drawing nearly as many walks as strikeouts. He has quick hands and sound swing mechanics, staying through the ball well to use the middle of the field. Herman has a hit-over-power profile, but he has more than just gap power and should continue to turn more of his doubles into home runs as he gets stronger. Herman split time between center and right field in the GCL but projects best as a right fielder.

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Herman out of high school in the 30th round in 2018, a spot where high school picks normally end up going to college. Herman, however, signed with the Pirates for $50,000 instead of heading to Maryland and already looks like a good value. He hit .340 after signing in his pro debut and moved to low Class A Greensboro in 2019, where he posted an .804 OPS in 75 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Previously regarded as a contact hitter, Herman added muscle in the offseason to improve his power production and saw results. He hit 13 home runs in just 75 games at Greensboro and finished fourth on the team with a .464 slugging percentage. That increased power came with a drop in his contact skills, however, and a strikeout rate that nearly doubled from 2018. Herman has quick hands and sound swing mechanics and now needs to find the balance between hitting for average and hitting for power. He profiles as a right fielder, with plus arm strength and enough range that he could play center field in a pinch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herman will likely see high Class A Bradenton in 2020, where he'll be challenged to find out who he is as a hitter.