Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2013: #12 2B Cesar Hernandez

Venezuelan born infielder Cesar Hernandez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies at the age of 16. Since then, the slick defender that primarily plays second base, has displayed solid progress and improvements in many areas of his game.

Hernandez, a switch-hitter, made his professional debut with the Venezuelan Summer League in 2007 at the age of 17. In two seasons there, he tallied a .296 batting average with three home runs and 45 RBI in 114 games.  He followed that effort with a campaign in which he batted .267 with five doubles and a triple in 41 games for the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2009. 

The following year, as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Hernandez was voted as the Most Valuable Player of the club by his teammates and was an All-Star. He proved clutch with the ‘Cutters, posting a .400 average (16-for-40) with runners in scoring position and two outs. Overall that season, Hernandez sported an impressive .325/.390/.392 line with 13 doubles and two triples in 65 games and placed second in the New York-Penn League in stolen bases, with 32.

His remarkable season in Williamsport led to a complete skip of full season Class A Lakewood. Hernandez played the entire 2011 season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, where his offensive production took a dip (.268/.303./.333). With just 15 extra-base hits and 98 singles that year, a power boost was something that the Phils' brass and coaches were looking for when they assigned Hernandez a strengthening program for the following off-season.

In 2012, the 5-foot-10-inch 175-pounder was named as an All-Star in the Double-A Eastern League, as he sported a .304 average with 26 doubles, a league leading 11 triples and two homers with 51 RBI as well as 16 steals in 104 games with the Reading Phillies.  After July, Hernandez was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he batted .248 with four doubles, a triple, six RBI and five steals in 30 games. 

The 22-year-old played in the Venezuelan Winter League this off-season, manning mostly second base but playing some shortstop as well.  As a member of the Margarita Bravos for the third straight year, Hernandez posted a .266/.345/.357 line in 44 games.

While his stolen base totals have steadily looked nice, a drop in success rate from 84% in 2010 to 70% in 2011 then to 58% in 2012 shows a need for Hernandez and/or his coaches to be more selective with his steal attempts.  Regardless of the dip in this area, speed is still an asset for Hernandez.

Defensively, Hernandez’s range is very good and while his throwing release is quick, his arm is best suited for second base as opposed to shortstop, where he initially played upon breaking into the minors.

As he has ascended in the pro ranks, Hernandez has developed a better ability to make contact and has a greater trust in his hands at the plate.  And while he will never be a big home run guy, doubles and triples will surely be areas that Hernandez can do some damage in. Additionally, he needs to become more selective and draw a larger number of walks to become a better rounded offensive threat.

Phillies developmental coaches and organizational instructors praise his many talents and are confident that Hernandez has what it will take to compete at the highest levels of professional baseball while potentially becoming a successor to Chase Utley at second for the big league club. 

Maturing and learning outside of the game has helped the outgoing Hernandez when it comes to baseball as well.  A focus on improving his English and fully adapting to the cultural changes that come with playing in the United States, has increased the 22-year-old's confidence and his ability to pick up more about the game from his coaches and peers.

A member of the Phils' 40-man roster, Hernandez is likely to begin the 2013 season back with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, where he should produce on a more consistent basis than he did upon his initial trial there last season.  Hernandez could be a reliable back up to the big league team in case of injuries or could be seen as a call up in September this year, if his production follows the same progress he's shown after previous promotions.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

This Guy Speaks For All of You

This individual, interviewed by FOX 29 on Friday as the Phillies arrived back at Citizens Bank Park, said it best. When asked how he felt regarding the Phillies, he told Steve Keeley that he was, "Stoked, baby!" The unidentified phanatic then proclaimed, "We are talking about the Fightins here, the Fightins! Said!" Check out the media player below, as the transcribed version certainly does not do this phireball of phandom justice. The Phillies forced game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night. Game 6 will feature Roy Oswalt vs. Jonathan Sanchez in a return pitching match up from game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 pm EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Be sure to tune in on 97.3 ESPN's Weekend Sports Guide with Tyrone Johnson this afternoon around 1:15pm to hear me chatting about the Phillies! 97.3 is based in Atlantic City. You can listen live online HERE . ______________