In one of the fastest rising farm systems in baseball is one player rising faster than the rest since the start of the 2022 season: OF Yanquiel Fernandez.
The 20-year-old Colorado Rockies prospect has cruised atop a wave that started last April in Low-A Fresno and has taken it to the 2023 MLB Futures Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle to begin the All-Star Week festivities.
“It’s a dream come true for every player in the world. To be here is great,” the Cuban outfielder said in front of his locker in the National League clubhouse on Saturday.
The 93rd overall ranked player on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list a eventually trotted out to right field on Saturday at the bottom of the fifth inning before lashing a single against RHP Sem Robberse, the no. 7 rated prospect for the Toronto Blue Jays, as per MLB Pipeline.
It wasn't accurate enough to get Spencer Jones going first to third, but …
this Yanquiel Fernandez throw came in at 103.3 mph. That would be the hardest throw by a #Rockies outfielder in the Statcast Era (since 2015). pic.twitter.com/963Kr99eC1
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) July 9, 2023
Signed as an international free agent out of Cuba at the age of 16 in July of 2019 for $295,000, a big year in 2021 with Colorado’s Dominican League team showed he was ready to play affiliated baseball in America.
As part of the 2022 Fresno Grizzlies, Fernandez and teammates — including top prospects 3B Warming Bernabel, SS/2B Adael Amador, C/1B Hunter Goodman and OF Benny Montgomery — won 83 games, most in the Low-A California League.
Fernandez fits the corner outfield profile very well, both because of his run-production potential and an easily plus arm that looks good in right field, according to MLB Pipeline. Mandatory Credit: Spokane Indians
“It was so much fun. It was a great experience. And thanks to God that it was a great season for all of us,” Fernandez said of last year’s Grizzlies’ squad that ultimately lost in the Northwest League Championship Series.
Fernandez picked up where he left off at the start of 2023. Even after jumping to Double-A Hartford on June 20, he’s hit five home runs with 10 runs batted in over his first 13 games. “It’s a difficult league,” he said of the Eastern League. “I’m adjusting and getting used to it.”
Even with the Majors one step closer, Fernandez isn’t thinking about Colorado just yet. That doesn’t mean Rockies fans don’t have to start dreaming about it.
Tink Hence, St. Louis Cardinals
A total of 28 players ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 participated in this year’s Futures Game. From that group, only five were pitchers, including St. Louis Cardinals’ RHP Tink Hence.
Jul 8, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; National League Futures relief pitcher Think Hence (3) of the St. Louis Cardinals stands on the mound during the second inning of the All Star-Futures Game at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Selected 63rd overall out of Watson Chapel HS in Pine Bluff, Ark. during the 2020 MLB Draft, Hence wasn’t sure if his dream of playing in the Majors would be derailed because of pandemic-shortened draft.
“I remember my dad texting me and saying, ‘Hey, the draft is five rounds now. You ready to go to college?’ I was thinking to myself, ‘Hey, I still want to go play professionally,” the 20-year-old explained before tossing a scoreless inning during the National League’s 5-0 shutout against the American League.
The highest drafted Arkansas high schooler in 15 years eventually returned to his home state earlier this month following a promotion to the Double-A Texas League. The 63rd-ranked prospect posted a 2.81 ERA in 11 starts at High-A before joining the Springfield Cardinals on July 1 where they were taking on the Arkansas Travelers.
“I didn’t get a chance to pitch because I was fresh off an outing. Just being (back in Arkansas) my family got a chance to come out, and some of my friends that grew up all around the area, so it was still a good moment and a great time being there without getting a chance to play,” the right-handed starter shared.
