photo: Sammy Hernandez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown for 2025 reaches no. 20 with a good performer at just 20 years of age with solid hit and defensive projections at a premium position. What is next for catcher Sammy Hernandez? Free report!
Position: Catcher
Age: 20 years old
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 5’9, 185 pounds
Acquired: Acquired from Toronto for pitcher Genesis Cabrera on July 21, 2023
Hometown: Ponce, Puerto Rico
College: none
Opened 2024: Palm Beach Cardinals (Class-A)
Primary team in 2024: Palm Beach Cardinals (Class-A)
Finished 2024: Springfield Cardinals Development List (Double-A)
Prior Top 50 rankings – not ranked
Click on the above photo to be taken to Hernandez’ player page at The Cardinal Nation, with additional biography and history information.
2024 highlights
| PA | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | BB% | K% | BABIP | wRC+ |
| 383 | 0.255 | 0.373 | 0.365 | 0.738 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11.5% | 17.8% | 0.310 | 119 |
Link to Hernandez’ career stats
Blake Newberry’s scouting report
Blake’s ranking – no. 20
(current grade/future grade)
| Hit | Power | Run | Arm | Field | FV |
| 40/50 | 25/40 | 40/40 | 55/55 | 40/50 | 40 |
Sammy Hernandez’ stock has consistently risen ever since he was acquired by the Cardinals in the Genesis Cabrera trade and now, he ends up in the Top 20 of our countdown. That’s because of his production at a young age while playing a premium position.
Hernandez still has a lot of room for growth across the board with the potential to be a solid defensive catcher with a strong hit tool.
He doesn’t hit for much power and his lack of power production is supported by his lack of high-end exit velocities. His 106.6 mph max exit velocity and 83.6 mph average exit velocity leave a lot to be desired. Even though Hernandez could come into more power as he matures, it’s important to keep in mind that he stands just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds so there isn’t a ton of physical projection left on his frame.
While he’s not likely to ever hit for power, he does a good job making contact against all pitch types and hitting the ball on a line. He is also proficient at hitting fly balls to the pull side which should help him maximize his limited power.
That’s enough to project him for a solid average hit tool. The 20-year-old is an aggressive swinger with a 2024 chase rate over 32%. But he has made progress there as he chased at greater than a 36% rate in the previous season.
Defensively, Hernandez has not adopted the one-knee down catching stance that has become more popular in recent years and instead stays crouched. He is mobile behind the plate and does a good job of blocking balls. He also has a strong arm and quick release which helped him throw out 30.9% of attempted base stealers in 2024.
Hernandez may be somewhat limited offensively by a lack of any real power, but he has a strong defensive projection, has shown a solid hit tool, and still has plenty of development ahead of him at only 20 years old. So, there’s certainly plenty of potential for him to become a producer at the major league level in the future.
Summary: Sammy Hernandez has produced at a high level at a young age while showing a solid hit and good defensive projection at a premium position.
Brian Walton’s environmental impact report
Brian’s ranking – no. 20
Background
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Hernandez idolized Ivan Rodriguez. Sammy was the Toronto Blue Jays’ 14th round selection in the 2022 Draft from Lakeland (FL) High School. His family had relocated to the US during his high school years to improve his opportunities.
“Ever since I was very young, my dream was to become a professional baseball player,” Hernandez said. “I was born in Puerto Rico and moved here to Lakeland, Florida when I was 14. We moved here for a reason, so people could come and watch me. I played all the tournaments like Perfect Game here in Jupiter. I did well and everything changed for me.”
The receiver received an over-slot $200,000 bonus to skip his college commitment to the University of Houston. During his time with the Rays in 2022 and 2023, his slash line was a quiet .200/.273/.339/.612 with a strikeout rate of 23.5% and walk rate of 4.9% over 183 plate appearances.
Hernandez became a Cardinal in the July 2023 Genesis Cabrera trade with Toronto. His production had been ok at an age-appropriate level in rookie-ball, but growth was needed.
In his six games with the FCL Cardinals immediately after the trade, the right-handed hitter slashed .250/.429/.750/1.179. Hernandez tripled, hit two home runs and drove in four. On August 12, when Leonardo Bernal suffered a season ending injury, Hernandez returned to the Florida State League, where he had briefly played for the Rays earlier in the season but struggled.
With the Beach Birds, Hernandez appeared in 10 games and had 40 plate appearances. He slashed just .212/.350/.303/.653 with a home run, seven RBI and a nice strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8-to-7.
In the off-season, Hernandez was named the Rookie of the Year in the Puerto Rican Winter League. With Leones de Ponce, the 19-year-old played in 29 regular season games with 21 hits including a home run, 12 RBI and 13 runs scored. He slashed .253/.382/.361/.744.
Last year at this time, I named Hernandez my sleeper pick for 2024 across the Cardinals system. We knew little about him at that time, but I liked what I had seen in Florida.
2024 recap
Hernandez had the distinction of being both the youngest and the least experienced of any of the over five dozen players in St. Louis’ 2024 spring training camp. Part of it is because he is a catcher, but still, he was chosen ahead of multiple others assigned to higher levels.
He must continue to contend with the better prospect Bernal just ahead of him. But with the latter ready for Peoria in 2024, that left open the Palm Beach starting assignment for Hernandez.
Hernandez led the Cardinals to the Florida State League East Division title in both halves but was not with the Beach Birds in the postseason. Due to injuries up the line to both Bernal and Jimmy Crooks, the organization had a late season requirement, first at Peoria, then Springfield. Hernandez moved up to the Midwest League on August 27 and to the Texas League on September 9. However, the latter transaction was to the Development List, and he was not needed by Springfield in the postseason.
With Palm Beach, he slashed .264/.372/.363/.735 in 350 plate appearances over 70 contests. In 33 plate appearances over eight games with Peoria, Hernandez slammed two of his three hits for home runs, slashing .130/.375/.391/.766 in his very brief High-A debut.
Beach Birds manager Gary Kendall watched Hernandez late in 2023 and for most of the 2024 campaign.
“He is very quick back there (behind the plate), and he’s a good blocker,” Kendall said. “He is working on his throwing, to try to balance it out, to try to incorporate more timing into it. So, his throws are a little more accurate.”
Hernandez offered a self-assessment.
“Last year (2023), I felt like I did a pretty good job catching, more than hitting,” he said. But I knew that I am a better catcher. I feel like I could do better throwing. When I see them run, I try to be too fast and don’t set my feet in the right way. When I get better, I will be really good.”
For the season, Hernandez threw out a credible 30.9% of opposing base stealers while guiding a very strong Palm Beach rotation. He was charged with just four passed balls in over 557 innings caught.
“He is a leader back there,” the manager continued. “He takes charge of a pitching staff. I like his quickness and how alert he is, how he is with signs, the running game and just bringing a pitcher along, which is very important.
“Offensively, he stays within himself. When he is going really good, he drives the ball to the middle of the field. Right-center field early in the year, he was fabulous when he was hitting in the mid-threes (hundreds) for us, he was using the whole field. He is a strong guy for his stature.”
Overall, Hernandez’ walk and strikeout rates were good at 11.5% and 17.8% respectively and his wRC+ of 119 meant his offensive contribution was 19% above league average.
Hernandez is aware of the improvement.
“Last year (2023), I struck out a lot and didn’t take many walks,” he said. “This year, I am better in every aspect. I think what helped me was the winter league in Puerto Rico. When I went over there, I played with some people who could be my grandpa and my dad (laughs). They have already played in the big leagues and just talking with them really helped me a lot.”
“We lean on him a lot,” Kendall said. “He was important because losing Bernal and Linares, who is a really good thrower, they went up to Peoria and we were searching for a guy who could really take charge,” the manager concluded.
Back with Ponce for a second year in winter ball, Hernandez has not been able to replicate his strong showing from the year prior. In 38 at-bats over 13 contests, he has just six singles and two walks for a disappointing .391 OPS.
2025 outlook
Hernandez may have to wait until late 2025 or 2026 to make his official Double-A debut, but that is fine. Not only does he need the development time at High-A, but Bernal should still be ahead of him as the regular for Springfield in 2025.
Even so, Hernandez may have to earn his playing time. I expect he will face competition with 2024 fourth rounder Ryan Campos, our no. 35 prospect, who is likely to move up to Peoria as well.
Offense can be a challenge in the Midwest League, so just as with Bernal the year before, we should temper expectations for a true breakout with the bat. Steady progress, both offensively and defensively, should be the target.
Future outlook
Future Value: 40
Role: Reserve
Risk: Moderate
Hernandez is another prospect who the Cardinals need not rush. His Rule 5 decision is still two years away, giving him adequate time to play up to the level of competition at High-A and then, Double-A.
Catcher remains perhaps the most loaded position in the system, with Hernandez currently at least fifth on the totem pole. So, some patience may be required as the Cardinals sort through the group of Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, Crooks and Bernal to decide which are keepers.
Again, this need is not pressing and will likely sort itself out by the time Hernandez is ready for St. Louis, which I project to be late 2027.
MLB debut: Late 2027
Rule 5 eligible: 2026
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
Our 2025 Top 50 series continues
To see the entire list of top Cardinals prospects, grading scales and remaining article schedule, click here. This includes the Top 50 countdown and 11 in-depth, follow-up articles breaking down the list.
50 Days, 50 Nights, 50 St. Louis Cardinals Prospects for 2025
Not yet a member?
If you enjoyed this article, please consider joining The Cardinal Nation to receive the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system, including access to every article in our 2025 Top Cardinals Prospects series.
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian and The Cardinal Nation on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Follow Blake Newberry on X/Twitter @bt_newberry.
© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.