Boca Chica – The San Francisco Giants have caused a stir in the international baseball market by securing the signing of Venezuelan shortstop Luis Hernández, considered the number one prospect of his class for the 2026 signing period. The organization invested a bonus of US$5.4 million in the young talent.
This is the second consecutive time the Giants are betting on the best amateur talent in Latin America, despite having one of the most limited international budgets.
Hernández, 17 years old, is recognized for his combination of physical skills, game intelligence, and work ethic. In addition, he made history by becoming the first Venezuelan-born player to be ranked as the top prospect of an international class by MLB Pipeline.
Offensive Impact and Projection
At 15 years old, the right-handed batter was already demonstrating his potential in the Venezuelan Summer League, where he faced older and more experienced rivals. He batted .346 in 104 plate appearances, showing bat speed and solid contact. His power is expected to increase with physical development and adaptation to professional pitching, which profiles him as an extra-base hitter.
In addition, Hernández is an above-average runner and aggressive on the bases, which could make him a 30-30 threat if he reaches his full potential.
Defense and Position
Defensively, Hernández shows quick hands and fluidity at shortstop. Although his arm is not considered élite, his solid mechanics and quick release of the throw allow him to compensate for that limitation and remain a viable option at the position in the long term.
A Strategic Bet
The Giants are sticking to their high-risk, high-reward strategy in the international market. In 2025, they signed Dominican Josuar González, the second-best global prospect in his class, who has already stood out in the Dominican Summer League.
With Hernández and González, San Francisco strengthens its future projection in a key position, although it also has other shortstops in development within its minor league system.
Eligibility Rules
International players can sign between January 15 and December 15, provided they are 16 years old at the time of signing and turn 17 before September 1 of the following year. In this period, those born between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 are eligible, provided they are previously registered with MLB.
