Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Hernandez signed with the Marlins for $850,000 out of Venezuela in January 2021 and slowly developed at two complex-level circuits over his first two seasons of pro ball. He returned to the Florida Complex League at age 19 in 2023 and showed signs of taking off on the circuit before he was traded to the Mets in late July for closer David Robertson. Between Miami and New York FCL affiliates, Hernandez slashed .295/.476/.460 with four homers, 47 walks and 37 strikeouts in 45 games before getting a late-season promotion to Single-A.

Aided by his innate knowledge of the strike zone, Hernandez ranked third among all 124 complex-level qualifiers with his 24.6 percent walk rate and .476 OBP, and he has the sound swing from both sides to hit for a solid average. He got a lot more time working as left-handed hitter (201 plate appearances) than he did as a righty (29) in 2023, and he was much more productive from a power standpoint from the left side. He could still scrape double-digit homers as he matures and gains more experience in both boxes.

Hernandez draws solid reviews for his receiving and communication work from behind the plate – he can speak both English and Spanish with his pitchers -- and he could figure to be above-average defensively. His arm strength is just average, and his caught-stealing rate actually dipped from 33 percent in 2022 to 24 percent last summer. Controlling the running game is all the more important in the current era of baseball, but most of Hernandez's other arrows are pointing up.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 35 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Marlins signed their two best catching prospects six months apart in 2021, landing Hernandez with an $850,000 bonus out of Venezuela in January before drafting Joe Mack 31st overall in July. Hernandez has less offensive upside but is a more advanced defender. He slashed .236/.329/.321 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League while making his U.S. debut at age 18 last season. Hernandez was in the middle of a nice FCL rebound when Miami dealt him to the Mets in late July in a deal for closer David Robertson.

A steady receiver, Hernandez is agile behind the plate and does a nice job of blocking balls in the dirt. He has solid-to-plus arm strength and showed improved throwing accuracy in 2022, when he erased 33 percent of basestealers. He works hard on his craft, diligently preparing for games, displaying leadership skills and communicating with pitchers in either English or Spanish. 

While he hadn't posted big offensive numbers until this year, Hernandez has a sound swing from both sides of the plate and makes consistent contact to all fields. He has the patience to work counts and should continue to improve offensively as he adds more strength and experience. He could provide 12-15 homers per season once he learns to turn on and lift pitches more often. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 35 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40 

Miami added its two best catching prospects six months apart in 2021, signing Hernandez for $850,000 out of Venezuela in January before drafting Joe Mack 31st overall in July. While Mack is more athletic and has more offensive ceiling, Hernandez is a superior defender.  

Hernandez's most impressive tool is his solid-to-plus arm strength, though he still needs to refine the accuracy of his throws. He's a steady receiver who has the quickness to block balls behind the plate. He displays leadership ability and can communicate with pitchers in English and Spanish. 

Hernandez hasn't produced much at the plate in his first two pro seasons, but the Marlins like the switch-hitter's swing from both sides of the plate and believe he'll improve offensively with more strength and experience. He shows a willingness to draw walks and doesn't swing-and-miss excessively. A tendency to make ground-ball contact has muted his power early in his career, but he has the bat-to-ball skills and physical projection to develop into at least a 12- to 15-homer threat. 

Awards

FSL Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/19/2024

FCL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/27/2024	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from St. Lucie Mets.
	03/11/2024	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to New York Mets.
	03/07/2024	New York Mets Prospects activated C Ronald Hernandez.
	08/26/2023	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.
	07/28/2023	New York Mets traded RHP David Robertson to Miami Marlins for 2B Marco Vargas and C Ronald Hernandez.
	07/28/2023	C Ronald Hernandez roster status changed by New York Mets.
	07/28/2023	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to FCL Mets.
	03/25/2023	C Ronald Hernandez and assigned to Miami Marlins.
	06/05/2022	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to FCL Marlins.
	06/05/2022	FCL Marlins activated C Ronald Hernandez.
	06/05/2022	FCL Marlins activated C Ronald Hernandez.
	07/10/2021	C Ronald Hernandez assigned to DSL Marlins.
	01/15/2021	Miami Marlins signed free agent C Ronald Hernandez to a minor league contract.