(670 The Score) Already rated as the No. 3 prospect in the Cubs' farm system, 18-year-old shortstop Cristian Hernandez is getting a fair deal of attention in minor league camp.
Hernandez signed with the Cubs on the international market in 2021, and he's now preparing for the next step of his professional journey after playing in the Dominican Summer League last season.
"He is pretty impressive physically," Cubs minor league hitting coach Rachel Folden said. "We are just trying to expose him right now to what he is going to see. A lot of young kids either here or in other countries grow up in that showcase mentality. In those environments, the workouts are very controlled. Playing in games are all uncontrolled, and the pitcher is going to dictate a lot of what the young hitter will be able to accomplish. We are walking him through that process because we know he will struggle at some point. Every player does. Knowing why we do everything is very, very important for him."
Hernandez hit .285 with five homers, 22 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and an .822 OPS in 47 games in the Dominican Summer League in 2021. He has also impressed the Cubs with his work ethic, and Hernandez has been compared by some scouts to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado at that age.
"You have to look at Cristian with some reality knowing he would just be coming out of his senior year in high school at this point if he was from the United States," Cubs director of hitting Justin Stone said. "There has been so much media attention to the signing of one of the most high-profile players of his particular class. With that comes those comparisons with who else was high-profile in past international drafts. People will compare him to what the others in the past have accomplished. That is natural for people to do. However, it's our job from a player development aspect is to view a not-so-linear path of what he is going to be as a baseball player. We help young players like Cristian stay in tandem with the coaches. We are focused on the right now and helping him get better each day. I think that approach has made it a little easier for him too."
Hernandez is enjoying his experience this spring and his developmental journey.
"I try to take the positives from all the players and coaches around here," Hernandez said. "I watch their routine. I look at their swing. I try to concentrate on all live BP in the cages. I try to copy a bit from everyone and take what fits best for me as a player. Hopefully all of that helps me in my development. My goal is to get to (the major leagues) as soon as possible. Every day, I wake up and work as hard as I can to achieve that goal as soon as possible."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
