Cubs Expected to Land Phenom Dubbed ‘Baby A-Rod’
The Chicago Cubs minor league system has been slowly regaining steam. They now boast multiple left-handed pitchers that can reach 100-MPH, they have some position players that are promising, and now they are expected to sign possibly the best international talent there is in Cristian Hernandez.
If there's an international draft in 2020, Cristian Hernandez would be a strong candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick.https://t.co/6HdEgZ0SA1 pic.twitter.com/t2rjho3XKk
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 26, 2019
Hernandez has been named Baby A-Rod, and by the video below you can see why. He has all the tools, slick glove, speed, the ball just flys off his bat. When he starts adding muscle, this kid will hit absolute tanks in the big leagues.
Baseball America has claimed that he would be the number one pick if there was an international draft. His swing looks so effortless, he can tune up his footwork defensively, but he has an arm that can make all the throws. But it is his comps that has me most excited about this young stud.
One of the top players available in this year’s international class, Cristian Hernandez has earned plenty of accolades for a swing that has drawn comparisons with Manny Machado and an all-around game that reminds some of a young Alex Rodriguez.
Baseball America’s Josh Norris
Hernandez is expected to sign a deal with the Cubs for around $3.5 million, but that will have to wait. Typically the International Signing Period is July 2nd, but due to COVID-19, it has been pushed to January 15th of 2021. While nothing is concrete, it is very likely he will sign with the Cubs.
Here’s some word porn to get you psyched for Hernandez.
Christian Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic
Jesse Sanchez MLB.com
At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, the teenager resembles a young Alex Rodriguez and has a build similar to Manny Machado at the same age. His approach and abilities give him a chance to hit for a high batting average and he is expected to have plus power in the future. There’s a belief he could eventually develop into a .300 hitter who can slug 30 or more home runs a year. On defense, he shows plus arm potential with smooth hands and the ability to make plays in the hole and up the middle with equal proficiency. He consistently runs the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. The Cubs are the favorite to sign the infielder.
Hernandez is one of the top prizes in this year’s international signing class. A 6-foot-2, 165-pound shortstop from the Dominican Republic, Hernandez has a chance to develop plus power to go with plus speed. He has a very quick bat and already showed easy over-the-fence power as a 15-year-old.
Ben Badler Baseball America
So, a lot of these accolades are often tossed out there as their ceiling. So if a player’s ceiling is Alex Rodriguez or even Manny Machado – that’s a damned good baseball player. We’re talking a ceiling of a Hall of Fame caliber player or a perennial All Star. Now, players don’t often hit their ceilings. It is extremely rare to have a player actually reach the ceiling, and when they do we are often talking about a special player.
I don’t know what Hernandez will become, but watching him hit I am excited to see his power when he’s fully developed. I’m also very excited that he has the ability to remain a shortstop long-term.
The Cubs had made it a point to draft shortstops as they typically have the athletic ability to move to other positions, and the Cubs often moved them. Starlin Castro moved to second when Addison Russell took over, Russell moved to second for Castro as well as when Javier Baez earned the starting SS job in 2018. Baez himself has played all over the diamond.
They also had Gleyber Torres, who was traded for Aroldis Chapman and a World Series trophy (people forget that).
I’m excited to see what happens with Hernandez. A five-tool prospect, that in the Cubs organization should flourish – I mean, they’ve proven to be able to develop shortstops – and a means to help this club in about four years (he’s currently 16-yrs old). Come on Baby A-Rod!
