The Miami Marlins have signed outfielder Heriberto Hernandez to a minor league contract, as reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball on Monday evening.
Hernandez, 24, spent the past four seasons within the Tampa Bay Rays organization, making his Triple-A debut in 2024. After electing free agency earlier this month in search of a new opportunity, the Marlins have provided him with that chance, adding a promising power-hitting prospect to their system.
A former Texas Rangers prospect, Hernandez was originally acquired by the Rays in 2020 as part of the trade that sent first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to Texas. Over the past season, Hernandez showcased his power, belting 23 home runs in 104 games between Double-A and Triple-A, posting an .839 OPS.
In his minor league career, Hernandez has compiled a .263 batting average with an .886 OPS, averaging 29 home runs, 108 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases per 162 games. He has also demonstrated patience at the plate, drawing 101 walks per 162 games, though his strikeout rate remains a concern.
While Hernandez struggled in his brief Triple-A stint this year, hitting just .187 with a .729 OPS, his nine home runs in 44 games indicate his power potential is still intact. Given the Marlins’ ongoing budget constraints and lower-ranked farm system, signing a high-upside talent like Hernandez makes strategic sense, offering a chance for future upside as he continues his development in the minors.