SF Giants among several teams scouting top Cuban outfielder prospect
The SF Giants were among several teams at a showcase for top Cuban outfielder prospect Yandro Hernández earlier this month, according to a report by independent reporter Francys Romero. Per Romero, the Giants, Cardinals, White Sox, Royals, Pirates, Brewers, and Angels were all in attendance. Hernández recently left his native Cuba, which does not allow residents to sign with MLB teams because of the United States' embargo on the Caribbean nation.
Hernández is the son of Stayler Hernández, a former outfielder for top Cuban baseball teams, like the Metros and Industriales. Over his 18-year professional career, Hernández hit .297/.396/.453 with 100 home runs from 2003-2021. Now, his son is looking to build off his father's legacy in the major leagues.
The younger Hernández, who is still only 18 years old, was one of the best young hitting prospects in Cuba prior to his defection. He hit .463 with the U-18 Cuban National Team, leading the squad with 37 hits during their last set of tournament player.
Hernández is lauded for his advanced feel for hitting, which features promising bat-to-ball skills and a strong feel for the strike zone. A switch-hitter, the biggest questions in Hernández's profile surround his power and defensive upside. Hernández has yet to showcase the speed to lead evaluators to believe he will stick in center field nor the above-average power potential that scouts like to see in a player with a corner profile. Of course, he's also just a teenager with plenty of time to develop enough strength to be an impactful bat.
The Giants have already signed 20 players during the 2024-25 international free-agent period, but still have north of seven figures in pool space remaining. Teams usually exhaust their entire pool when the IFA signing window opens, so the SF Giants should have an advantage trying to sign prospects like Yandro Hernández who are still available.
