"The Giants have built one of their stronger farm systems in recent years, a development made possible by an influx of players from Latin America. On Thursday morning, San Francisco strengthened that talent pool by officially signing shortstop Luis Hernandez, the top prospect of this year's international signing class, during a ceremony at the team's Felipe Alou Baseball Academy in the Domincan Republic. Hernandez reportedly received a $5 million signing bonus, the largest bonus of the 2026 signing class and the second-largest in franchise history behind only Lucius Fox ($6 million)."
"The 17-year-old Hernandez hails from Guarico, Venezuela and has trained under former major-leaguer Carlos Guillen, a three-time All-Star who amassed 1,331 hits for 14 seasons. At 15-years-old, Hernandez played in Liga Mayor de Beisbol Profesional (Venezuelan Major League) and had a slash line of .346/.386/.452 over 114 at-bats despite playing against older players. Hernandez has been lauded as possessing 30-30 upside with projectable physical tools and high baseball IQ while playing a premium defensive position."
"San Francisco was tied with the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and New York Mets for the smallest bonus pools at $5.44 million. All four teams lost $1 million from their bonus pools after signing a player in free agency who rejected his team's qualifying offer. In the Giants' case, that player was Willy Adames. Signing Gonzalez ($2,997,500) and Hernandez in back-to-back years marks a significant step for a franchise that has not produced much foundational homegrown talent from Latin America in recent years."
San Francisco signed 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Luis Hernandez for a reported $5 million, the largest bonus of the 2026 international class and the second-largest in franchise history. Hernandez trained under former major-leaguer Carlos Guillen and at 15 posted a .346/.386/.452 slash line over 114 at-bats in the Venezuelan Major League against older competition. MLB Pipeline grades list Hernandez with a 65 overall, a 65 hit tool and 60 grades for power, run and field, with projectable physical tools, 30-30 upside and high baseball IQ. The signing follows last year’s addition of Josuar Gonzalez and strengthens the Giants’ Latin American talent pipeline.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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