Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

  • International Player Profile: Yilber Herrera

    Jamie Cameron

    By Jamie Cameron

    The Twins are expected to sign #35 international free agent prospect Yilber Herrera next week. He's been compared to fellow Twin Jorge Polanco. Read about this potential Minnesota Twins Venezuelan addition.

     

    Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson - USA Today Sports

    Twins Video

    The Twins have a type when it comes to international free agents. The majority of players signed by Minnesota profile as athletic shortstops or centerfielders with quick hands and strong hit tools who need to grow into their bodies to achieve their power potential.

    Yilber Herrera is the former of these two profiles. The 16-year-old Venezuelan is ranked as the #35 international free agent overall. If you want a professional player comp, MLB Pipeline likens Herrera to a young Jorge Polanco based on his frame and overall athleticism, which could allow him to move quickly through the minor leagues.

    Yilber Herrera Scouting Report
    Bats: S | Throws: R | HT: 6’0 | WT: 155
    MLB Pipeline Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

    Offensively    , Herrera profiles as an effective contact hitter with quick hands and good bat speed. His lagging offensive tool currently is power. While he has shown flashes, he is lanky at 6’0, 155 lbs, and has yet to grow into his body. There is a good chance he develops more power as he grows and fills out. The 16-year-old has shown a strong ability to use the whole field when hitting and while not a burner, is quick and a savvy baserunner.

    Defensively, he diverges from the Polanco comparison significantly. While Polanco never promised to stick at SS due to a weak arm, Herrera’s athleticism and strong arm indicate he has a stronger chance to stick at shortstop.

    Herrera trains at the Jaime Ramos Baseball Academy. If he signs with the Twins, he will continue to cement a strong relationship between the Twins and Venezuelan youngsters in the last decade.

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    The Minnesota Twins Recent History in International Free Agency
    International Free Agent Profile: Bryan Acuna

     

    Ex-Londoner, adopted Minnesotan
    Follow Jamie Cameron on Twitter: J_D_Cameron

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
    — Become a Twins Daily Caretaker

     Share
     Share
    Go to articles

    Community Blogs

    • How many games will the Minnesota Twins win in 2023?
    • Gopher Preview (Week 3)

    Forum Topics

    • PVTEST
    • Hey, look here
    • This is an exceptionally long title to test how various points look on a phone and smaller devices
    The Ultimate Fan Guide to Target Field

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Featured Comments

    Seth Stohs

    Seth Stohs 23,732

  • Owner

    • Posted

    The funny thing is that when the Twins signed Polanco, he was touted as a plus-plus defensive shortstop and the hope was that he could hit... First time I saw him was in 2013 in Cedar Rapids. He was playing 2B (because Niko Goodrum actually was a plus defensive shortstop) and it was rough... But he crushed the ball in that game and those games... 

    Man, has he developed. It's definitely fun guessing what 15-16 year olds will become in 6-7 years! 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Dman

    Dman 7,149

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I like that he has that strong arm because it is needed at short.  Glove and footwork are import to be in position to make good throws and I hope he can develop those skills.  Hard to project power at 16 even Spencer Steer at 21 was not projected to have much power and he just hit 24 HR's last year so Herrera has plenty of time to develop power.  

    I like that he looks like he will have decent hit tool.  Would be nice if he had some better speed to maybe solidify his ability to stay at short but here's hoping the Twins found another Polanco.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Ghost_Of_Sid_Hartman

    Ghost_Of_Sid_Hartman 25

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    3 hours ago, Dman said:

    I like that he has that strong arm because it is needed at short.  Glove and footwork are import to be in position to make good throws and I hope he can develop those skills.  Hard to project power at 16 even Spencer Steer at 21 was not projected to have much power and he just hit 24 HR's last year so Herrera has plenty of time to develop power.  

    I like that he looks like he will have decent hit tool.  Would be nice if he had some better speed to maybe solidify his ability to stay at short but here's hoping the Twins found another Polanco.

    Defensively we should be so lucky as to find another Greg Gagne...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    roger

    roger 3,369

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    18 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

    The funny thing is that when the Twins signed Polanco, he was touted as a plus-plus defensive shortstop and the hope was that he could hit... First time I saw him was in 2013 in Cedar Rapids. He was playing 2B (because Niko Goodrum actually was a plus defensive shortstop) and it was rough... But he crushed the ball in that game and those games... 

    Man, has he developed. It's definitely fun guessing what 15-16 year olds will become in 6-7 years! 

    Thanks, Seth.  I also recall that when Polanco signed all I heard was a lot of talk about his glove/defense and not expecting too much about his bat.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    Loading...
    ×

×
×
  • Create New...