Marco Hernandez, ss, Cubs: The Cubs have added a wave of Latin American talent to the lower levels...

Marco Hernandez, ss, Cubs: The Cubs have added a wave of Latin American talent to the lower levels of their farm system. As a result, the organization now faces a dilemma, albeit a good one, in trying to sort out playing time for Hernandez and Gioskar Amaya with its Rookie-level Arizona club. Amaya, an 18-year-old from Venezuela, has played mostly second base, though he's also spent time at shortstop and third base, while Hernandez, an 18-year-old Dominican, has been the primary shortstop but also has played a bit at second. At the plate, they have both excelled in their U.S. debuts. Amaya is hitting .390/.427/.476, showing advanced baseball instincts for his age. Hernandez is the better athlete with a more lively, projectable body (6 feet, 170 pounds) and has hit .310/.355/.410 through 24 games. Hernandez has good bat speed from the left side and shows good bat-to-ball ability, though he projects more as a doubles hitter than a power threat.

BA on Rookie-ball prospect Hernandez

10 months ago FTLOTC 11 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Sweet.

Despite this being the WYICH, 2011 seems to be a pretty decent year for the farm system. Lots and lots of talent and room for future growth being added…

Anyone have a complete list of IFA signings over the past couple years? I know 2010 was a good year too for the Cubs in that area…

by SenorGato on Jul 22, 2011 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, we've made good strides down there

It only looks to be getting better after Ricketts opened to purse strings this year. We not only gave out the first 7 figure latin american bonus this year, we gave out 2 of them. And there are still guys out there than could command 7 figures, if we are so inclined. If all the draft overslot signings come to fruition, 95% of this board better be prepared to eat some major crow about Ricketts being cheap.

by RynoRooter on Jul 22, 2011 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep, I've been sitting here with my big ol' plate of crow ready to serve a few hundred.

by bdlugz on Jul 22, 2011 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Good problem to have it seems.

Let these kids play for a couple of years and go from there. Maybe one will project to playing third or left.

by Grockcubs on Jul 22, 2011 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

Need pitching!!

If a bit time pitcher from Japan or someone becomes available (like Dice-K a few years ago) the Cubs better make a big run for him (like they did with Kouske!!). that’s our biggest need, enough middle infielders!!

by QuincyCub on Jul 22, 2011 9:10 PM CDT reply actions

Just acquire as much talent as possible

If we have 5 good MIF prospects, chances are only 2 pan out (and that’s probably generous). We keep one and use him on the big league club and deal the other one for help at whatever position we need. Don’t acquire amateurs based on need.

by RynoRooter on Jul 22, 2011 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Most amateurs will wash out.

Add talent. Replace what fails. Repeat until champions. Repeat.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Jul 22, 2011 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Yu Darvish.

He’s the next Japanese pitcher we should see get major hype.

by SenorGato on Jul 22, 2011 10:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I feel like I've been hearing about Darvish forever.

When’s he gonna be up for bidding or whatever?

GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.

by shoemile on Jul 23, 2011 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Best I can give you is something in the next 5 years lol.

by SenorGato on Jul 23, 2011 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't know about that

Japanese pitchers are scary. Dice-K had one or two solid years, but couldn’t hold up. The cost to acquire them is just so huge that the return is almost never worth it. I’d rather sign a bunch of latin american and korean talent for the posting fee that a Yu Darvish will cost. Of course, Darvish is kind of a different story with his relatively young age for a Japanese posting (assuming he is posted in the next couple years).

by Bradsbeard on Jul 23, 2011 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions