Kansas City Royals top 10 prospects for 2019

10. Carlos Hernandez, RHP

Birthday: 3/11/1997 (21)
Acquired: International Free Agent, July 2016
Level(s): low-A Lexington
Statistics: 15 GS, 79 1/3 IP, 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.9% BB, 24.8% K

The Kansas City Royals made a number of excellent international signings over the last two years, but none has been a better deal so far than the $15,000 spent on a late-bloomer out of Venezuela. The 6’4″ righty was signed at 19 and made his pro debut when he was already 20.

Hernandez drew the Royals’ attention due to his power fastball and projectible size. He did not see his fastball truly tick up in 2018, but he did see his secondary pitches really move up in a hurry. The fastball sits 93-97 and has been reported in triple digits, but verifiable guns had him 98-99 for sure, which is still elite velocity. With projection still left in his body, Hernandez could even pick up another MPH or two on the top end. He’s been able to show incredible life on his fastball for a pitch with that much velocity along with an ability to hold that velocity late into games.

Hernandez works with a change that’s drawn “Bugs Bunny” comments from scouts at games due to the ability to get as much as 20 MPH difference between his fastball and change along with getting excellent movement on the pitch while maintaining his arm speed and getting hitters to look foolish.

Adding in a slow curve and a slider that has made incredible progress in one year of working with it gives Hernandez four pitches that he can use as a mid-rotation starter, but with the natural movement already on his pitches, as he gains stability in his delivery and experience, he could jump up not only this list but national prospect lists.

Though it’s very likely that Nicky Lopez will appear on many lists, Hernandez jumped on mine with his elite ceiling, while Lopez is more of a David Eckstien type that could have a solid big league career as a fringe starter/elite bench player.