Alexis Hernandez has done nothing but hit since joining the organization

Blue Jays Under the Radar prospect: Alexis Hernandez has done nothing but hit since joining the organization

The Toronto Blue Jays have found some interesting prospects in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 pick the last few seasons.

Abdiel Mendoza was selected in the 2021 minor league portion. He had some good seasons in the organization, posting a 2.78 ERA in 2022, a 3.31 ERA in 2023, and a 3.71 ERA in 2024 before being released. Kekai Rios, selected in the 2022 Rule 5 draft’s minor league portion, was a depth catcher.

They made a nice selection in 2024 in Richard Gallardo, while Hedbert Perez looks like a legitimate prospect after they selected him in the minor league portion of the Rule 5. Another prospect who has exceeded expectations is 2023 draftee Alexis Hernandez.

The Blue Jays drafted the outfielder from the Boston Red Sox, the 23-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, slashing .219/.33/.331 with four home runs in 177 plate appearances for a 99 wRC+.

That was his worst season in the system. Last season, he slashed .260/.354/.415 with eight home runs in 323 plate appearances, splitting his time between Single-A (204 plate appearances) and High-A (106 plate appearances). All told, he had a 117 wRC+.

Beginning this season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians, Hernandez is already having a career-best season. Over his first 60 games, the outfielder is slashing .271/.366/.489 with a career-best 11 home runs in only 272 plate appearances. Not only that, but he has a 10.3 BB% and 20.2 K%, which is a career norm at this point.

After a slow start to his season, the 23-year-old outfielder is slashing .279/.376/.552 with all 11 home runs since the start of May. That’s good for a 144 wRC+, while he’s walked 10.2% of the time and has a 17.8 K%. His best week so far was in mid-May, earning the Northwest League Player of the Week award.

Among players in the Blue Jays organization with 100 or more plate appearances, Hernandez’s 11 home runs ranked tied for fourth alongside Jay Harry, another player who has had a breakout season. His 128 wRC+ ranks 11th in the same sample size.

If Hernandez continues to hit this way, he’ll earn a look in Double-A by the end of the season. At just 23 years old, he’s still a prospect, but the Double-A level will be a big test. Now if he can hit the ground running at the level, there’s a chance he’ll earn a spot on the back end of our mid-season top prospect list.

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