The ball just sounds different coming off Fernandez’s bat. The 21-year-old lefty outfielder (who signed for $295k in 2019 out of Cuba) is well-known for making loud contact, and did a lot of that in 2022 with Low-A Fresno as one of the youngest players in the league. He did a lot more of that in 2023 too. Fernandez is lauded for his plus power projection and good feel for hitting, though his below-average speed limits him to the corner outfield positions.
Mid-season 2023 Rank: 3
High Ballot: 2
Mode Ballot: 3
Future Value: 50, corner outfield regular
Contract Status: 2019 IFA (CU), 40 Man Roster, three options remaining
MLB ETA: Late 2024
After a three game stint back in Low-A to begin 2023, the 6’2” Fernandez was assigned to High-A Spokane in mid-April, where he was one of the youngest players in the league at 2.