Elier Hernandez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	76
AVG	.289
OBP	.386
SLG	.474
HR	2

Full name Elier Hernandez
Born 11/21/1994 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 197 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 07/14/2022

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Hernandez was the jewel of the Royals' 2011 international class, signing for a $3 million bonus. He's yet to meet those lofty expectations, but he made strides in a 2017 season shortened by a groin injury that limited him to 46 games split between high Class A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Hernandez' combined .844 OPS was by far the best offensive performance in his six-year minor league career, albeit in a small sample. He has a strong, athletic build and played with more confidence in 2017, with better handling of offspeed pitches the biggest reason for his improvement. He's an average hitter with strong hands, bat speed and a good bat path but with marginal barrel control. He's an average runner with a better second gear in the outfield, and an above-average arm plays in the outfield corners. He could handle all three outfield positions once he improves his routes. He's got the ability to steal bases, with his speed playing up due to timing and athleticism. Hernandez made up for time missed from injury with an offseason assignment to the Arizona Fall League, and he should be ready for a return to Double-A in 2018.
Signed for $3 million as part of the Royals' 2011 international class that included Raul Mondesi, Hernandez has developed much more slowly than Mondesi, but he has made strides. Like Alfredo Escalera, he showed plenty of improvement in a return to low Class A Lexington, but then got way too aggressive after a promotion to Wilmington. When Hernandez is swinging well, he's driving balls to the gaps with a smooth swing and using his lower half. When he gets too aggressive like he was in Wilmington, he relies entirely on his arms in his swing. When he's in a funk he'll stop staying back on his back foot. He'll spin off with his stride foot pointed toward first base and his back foot pointed to third. Hernandez has the hands and bat speed to be an above-average hitter with average power, but he doesn't have the consistency. He's maintained his average speed and is a solid-average defender in either corner with an average arm.
Hernandez had the good fortune to sign for $3 million as a 16-year-old. He had the misfortune to sign that deal the same year as Raul A. Mondesi agreed to terms for $2 million. When the two players made their debuts together at Rookie-level Idaho Falls in 2012, Mondesi quickly outclassed Hernandez, whose swing is fairly straightforward, but he hasn't shown the consistent pop that was expected. Hernandez's overaggressiveness has been an issue and he has struggled to recognize and lay off sliders off the plate. He improved his reads and comfort level in right field in 2014, showing signs he can become an average defender, but his average arm may force an eventual move to left. Hernandez still is young enough to take big strides forward, but so far he hasn't shown the requisite hitting or power potential to fit as a corner outfielder. He will still be one of the younger players in the high Class A Carolina League.
When the Royals hit the Dominican Republic showcase circuit to prepare for the 2011 international signing period, they discovered that Hernandez, and not shortstop Raul A. Mondesi, was the focus of an intense bidding war. Hernandez signed for $3 million, then joined Mondesi in the Rookie-level Pioneer League to make his pro debut in 2012 and looked overwhelmed, struggling to put together competitive at-bats. While Mondesi advanced to low Class A Lexington in 2013, Hernandez went back to Idaho Falls. His second stint went much better than the first. Where Hernandez was often simply trying to make contact in 2012, he drove the ball in 2013, which allowed him to lead the PL in triples (eight) despite being only an average runner. A center fielder as an amateur, Hernandez is shaky defensively in right field now, as he seemed to struggle to read balls at night and in the higher altitude parks of the PL. His 10 errors ranked second in the league. He has an above-average arm and has the tools to be at least an average outfielder, appearing more confident in day games. Hernandez is ready for low Class A Lexington in 2014, and he could grow to be an above-average hitter with at least average power, but he's years away from reaching that ceiling.
Rated by many clubs as the top international amateur prospect for the 2011 signing period, Hernandez signed for $3.05 million, earning kudos for his impressive bat speed and solid feel for the game. The Royals thought he and fellow 2011 signee Adalberto Mondesi were advanced enough to make their professional debuts at Idaho Falls. Mondesi, the son of a longtime big leaguer, flourished in the challenging environment, but Hernandez struggled to keep his head above water. He struggled to recognize breaking balls and developed bad habits. Where he impressed scouts with his quick wrists as an amateur, he started trying to push balls to the opposite field too often instead of using his bat speed to turn on pitches he could drive. Hernandez is a solid athlete who profiles as a right fielder with the ability to hit for average and power, though his power potential requires a lot of projection for now. He's an average runner with a strong arm. Hernandez is young enough that a return to Rookie ball in 2013 still would get him to full-season ball as a 19-year-old.
As recently as five years ago, the Royals had only one homegrown Latin American prospect among their Top 30 Prospects. The team's renewed emphasis on scouting in that region has paid off with the likes of Cheslor Cuthbert, Kelvin Herrera and Yordano Ventura. Kansas City hopes it found another keeper in 2011 when it signed Hernandez to a $3.05 million bonus that ranked third on the international amateur market last year. He has some of the best bat speed international scouts have seen in recent years. Like many young prospects, he has work to do on his pitch recognition, and he's a ways from tapping into his above-average power potential because his quick swing is more suited to line drives than long flyballs. Hernandez also has excellent quickness--though only average speed--enough arm for right field and solid athleticism. If his bat develops, he could be a potential all-star corner outfielder, but he's years away from realizing that ceiling. Hernandez got his first taste of pro ball with an impressive showing in instructional league. He could make his official U.S. debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2012.

Minor League Top Prospects

Hernandez was the top target for many teams during the 2011 international signing period. The Royals secured him for a bonus of $3 million and sent to the PL as a 17-year-old in 2012. He struggled and repeated the league this year, raising his OPS from .536 in 2012 to .790 and leading the league with eight triples. Idaho Falls? Ramirez said Hernandez was much more relaxed this year and put more effort into working on his defense in right field, with improved focus a key to his growth. He also has above-average arm strength, which should allow him to handle either outfield corner. His athletic frame still has room to fill out, so he should add more home-run power in time. He needs to shorten his stroke and improve his two-strike approach to cut down on strikeouts. The Royals don?t expect Hernandez to move quickly through the system, but he ought to be ready for full-season ball next year.