Baseball America’s 2006 class has been interesting, to say the least. The position player class spans The Good, The Bad, and The Andy Marte.
Delmon Young lead off the position player class that also included (2) Justin Upton, (3) Brandon Wood, (4)Jeremy Hermida, (5) Stephen Drew, (9) Lastings Milledge, (11) Prince Fielder, (12) Howie Kendrick, (13) Alex Gordon, (14) Andy Marte, (15) Ryan Zimmerman, (16) Ian Stewart, (17) Conor Jackson, (18) Jarrod Saltalamacchia, (19) Andy LaRoche, (20) Carlos Quentin, (21) Nick Markakis, (23) Chris Young, (25) Troy Tulowitzki, (26) Joel Guzman, (27) Felix Pie, (28) Daric Barton, (29) Billy Butler, (30) Hanley Ramirez, (31) Cameron Maybin, (32)Carlos Gonzalez, (33) Jeff Clement, (42) Russell Martin, (49) Ryan Braun, and (50) Andrew McCutchen.
This is one of the more interesting lists you’ll find, and if you care to check out the full list (baseballamerica.com)
Jeremy Hermida didn’t quite have the power upside of some of the other names atop the list, but he was far and away the sweetest swinger of the bunch:
“Everything he does is so easy. He has a 70 arm and he has one of the sweetest swings from the left side I’ve ever seen.” – Anonymous Scout
Hermida hasn’t quite lived up to his Number 4 ranking (Number 2 on Baseball Prospectus,) especially with guys like Ryan Braun and Nick Markakis already playing like All-Star outfielders.
In Hermida’s first big-league action at the tail-end of 2005, fantasy players went ga-ga as he hit 4 HR in 40 AB. Hermida already had the three toughest aspects of hitting down: he was left handed, smooth through the zone, and had an advanced eye. A hitter’s batting eye or plate discipline, is arguably the toughest attribute to develop. Power, as is generally the case, was projected to come with time as Hermida filled-out.
Through his MiLB career, Hermida posted a sparkling .398 OBP to go along with 20+ SB seasons in A and AA ball. While Hermida did strike out at a concerning rate, his approach seemed disciplined enough to warrant such a lofty overall prospect ranking.
Unfortunately, Hermida’s K-Rate continued to climb to a high of 27.5% last year which coincided with a career-low BB% of 8.7%. Furthermore, and more concerning, Hermida was starting to chase more pitches outside of the zone. Hermida’s O-Swing (swings at pitches outside of the zone) jumped from a better than average 22% to a horrendous 27.8%.
It’s 2009 now though, and all of that’s behind Hermida. Hermida’s ISO (isolated power) has dipped to a career low of .120 but he’s recaptured the discipline that made him into a top-prospect. Hermida’s regained his eye for the zone, even with pitchers throwing him a surprisingly low 44% of pitches inside of the strike zone. Hermida’s back to swinging at a league-average 24.5% of pitches outside of the zone and has increased his BB-Rate to almost 15% which is good for a career-high .68 BB:K. Hermida’s also returned to driving the ball, raising his line-drive rate to almost 20%, while cutting his groundball rate to a career low of 41%.
Thankfully Marlins’ manager Freddi Gonzalez has smartened up and moved Hermida back to the number two spot. Thus far, Hermida’s spent the majority of the year batting in the number 6 spot ahead of Ross, Maybin and the Pitcher. It seems as though a doubles hitter with a great eye might be somewhat better served batting atop the Marlins’ batting order, no?
In the number two spot, Hermida’s blessed with hitting ahead of all-universe shortstop, Hanley Ramirez. Hermida’s pitches within the zone should increase, and he’ll be getting quite a few more pitches that he can drive. More importantly, with the incredibly inept Emilio Bonafacio batting ahead of Hermida in the lead-off spot; Hermida will have quite a few more stolen base opportunities. Hermida doesn’t possess the blazing speed, but he’s an efficient base-stealer even if his MLB numbers don’t reflect it. Hermida’s isolated power should be closer to his 2007 number of .205 than his current .120 line.
Enough beating around the bush, after 2 steals and 2 homers in the past five games — I’m starting to feel good about Hermida. I’d have no problem going out on a limb and predicting career highs in both Stolen Bases and Homers.
20 / 20 isn’t that far out of reach for Hermida and if he continues to hit at the start of that Marlins line-up, the Runs and RBI will come. You’ll benefit from Hermida’s skillset more in an OBP league, but his average wont hurt you.
