2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps: Cristian Hernandez
InsidetheCubs.com will review each of the Chicago Cubs’ Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com at the end of the 2023 season.
No. 20: SS Cristian Hernandez, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class-A)
Statistics for 2023: (106 games) .223/.302/.301/.603, 46 runs, 12 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 40 RBI, 39 walks, 118 strikeouts, 27 stolen bases, five caught stealing.
Season Transactions: Hernandez played the entire season at Myrtle Beach.
Season Summary: Hernandez made his first appearance at full season minor league baseball in 2023 with the Cubs’ Class A affiliate at Myrtle Beach. His batting average took a bit of a dip from his 2022 season with the Arizona Complex League Cubs. Some of the power numbers were there, including 12 doubles and driving in 40 runs. But strikeouts also remained an issue, as he fanned 118 times in his 385 official at-bats.
Path Through the Organization: The Cubs paid Hernandez $3 million when they signed him out of the Dominican Republic in January of 2021, and scouts compared Hernandez physically to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado. He could be one of the best upside players in their organization, but they kept him in their Dominican Summer League until 2022, when he batted .261 for the ACL Cubs. He's projected as a potential 30-home run hitter. He has the potential to be a shortstop in the future and the Cubs have plenty of time to develop him.
What’s next: Hernandez is just 19 years old and the Cubs already have an established shortstop in Dansby Swanson, so they certainly don't have to hurry Hernandez through the system. Given how he hit at Myrtle Beach, it's possible the Cubs may start him with the Pelicans again in 2024 and allow him to play his way to a promotion to High-A South Bend. Even under the best of circumstances, the highest Hernandez will likely reach in the organization next season is Double-A Tennessee, and that’s likely only if he becomes a .300 hitter.
2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps:
No. 30: Christian Franklin | No. 29: Brody McCullough | No. 28: Kohl Franklin | No. 27: Pablo Aliendo | No. 26: Porter Hodge | No. 25: Luke Little | No. 24: Jaxon Wiggins | No. 23: Caleb Kilian | No. 22: Josh Rivera | No. 21: Luis Vazquez |
