Luis Hernandez Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Luis Armando Hernandez
Born 06/26/1984 in Quibor, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School U.E. Altagracia
Debut 07/08/2007

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The signing of Hernandez as a minor league free agent--not to mention his addition to the 40-man roster--is another sign the Orioles are looking to supplement their stock of position players at the upper levels. The Braves let him go after he showed little progress with the bat in the last two seasons. Defense has always been his calling card, and Hernandez instantly becomes one of the slickest defenders in the Baltimore system. He has quick, soft hands with above-average range and a strong arm that would make him a legitimate big league shortstop. Hernandez will need to get a lot stronger and improve his offensive approach. Advanced pitchers have been able to keep him off balance with breaking stuff, and he's often tentative at the plate. He has just average speed, so he won't be a basestealer. Hernandez still will open the season as a 22-year-old in Triple-A, so he has upside.
At first glance, it would appear that Hernandez had one of the more disappointing seasons among Braves prospects in 2005. After his stock skyrocketed in high Class A the year before, he struggled as one of the youngest players in the Southern League. The increased speed of the game at the Double-A level overwhelmed him early on, and he didn't lift his average above the Mendoza Line for good until the last day of May. He also was tentative with the glove. Nevertheless, Hernandez proved resilient and should be a better player for having cleared the challenges he faced. He showed improved consistency at the plate during the second half while showing a better grasp of the strike zone. He projects as a light-hitting, slick-fielding shortstop whose defense alone could carry him to the big leagues. He utilizes soft, quick hands, a strong arm and the ability to pick it up the middle and deep in the hole. Hernandez will repeat Double-A this season, but he'll still be just 21.
No one made greater strides in the Braves system in 2004 than Hernandez. The youngest player in the Carolina League, he boosted his batting average 41 points from the previous season while continuing to shine on defense. At least one opposing manager said he has as bright a future as teammates Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann. Hernandez is a smooth fielder with soft, quick hands, drawing raves for the way he picks the ball at shortstop. His ability to transfer the ball from glove to hand enables him to make highlight plays, and he also completes the routine ones. An improving contact hitter, he has decent pop and should improve his ability to drive the ball as he gains strength and maturity. Hernandez needs more patience after drawing just 40 walks in 228 full-season games. His free-swinging approach will be challenged, and possibly exploited, at higher levels. His body is built more for quickness than speed, so he's not much of a threat to steal. The Braves say they're more convinced than ever that Hernandez will be a special player. He's slated for Double-A and will be one of the game's youngest players at that level.

Minor League Top Prospects

As a hitter, Hernandez has fringy major league potential. As a shortstop, he can't miss. "He could play defensively in the big leagues right now," Dodgers manager Luis Salazar said. "He makes all the plays." In 47 games, Hernandez committed just two errors while displaying above-average range, hands and arm strength. "He can really pick it," Skeels said. "In 16 games against our club, I remember him misplaying one ball. He has excellent instincts in the field." Though just a .254 hitter and small in stature, the switch-hitting Hernandez sprayed the ball to all fields and was one of the league's best bunters. He understands his limitations and focuses on doing the little things.