Throughout the process of putting together the 2026 Top 50 International Prospects list, scouts and league personnel dialed into that market kept coming back to one thing: Luis Hernández looks legit.
The Giants agreed, making the bold move for the No. 1 prospect in the class to bypass the Dominican Summer League entirely. Hernández was sent stateside, joining the club’s Arizona Complex League team, which opened its season Saturday. It took him no time to make a loud first impression.
Stepping to the dish with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth 0-for-3 on the day, Hernández flipped the script by crushing an elevated fastball to the opposite field for a game-tying grand slam off right-hander Isael Torres. After having plated a run with a sacrifice fly earlier, the Giants' No. 3 prospect finished pro game No. 1 with five RBIs to his credit. The ACL Giants went on to fall 10-9 to the ACL D-backs.
Hernández landed a nearly $5 million signing bonus to join the organization when the international signing period opened on Jan. 15. It marked the second consecutive year that the Giants brought aboard the top position player prospect on the market, having signed Josuar Gonzalez (SF No. 2/MLB No. 38) a year prior.
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While Hernández did see some time in center field as an amateur, evaluators believe he has the hands and fluidity to play shortstop long-term. Gonzalez played exclusive shortstop during his time in the DSL last summer, setting the stage for his stateside debut in the ACL. So who’s the shortstop of the future? It’s a good problem to have.
Out of the gate, Gonzalez got the first crack at short, with Hernández sliding over to third base, at least initially. Once Gonzalez (who dealt with a hamstring injury back in March) was lifted in the fifth, Hernández took over at short.
Defensively, there was some good -- a pair of double plays turned. There was also some bad -- a pair of fielding errors (one at third, one at short). Whether that can be chalked up to Opening Day nerves or getting reps at a fairly new position, there remains no doubt that Hernández is still viewed within the system as a potential five-tool talent.
COMPLETE GIANTS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Equipped with elite-tier bat speed and a feel for the barrel beyond his years, Hernández hit .346 during a spin through the Venezuela Major League as a 15-year-old. The hype around his profile vaulted him onto MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list before he so much as had a pro plate appearance, currently checking in at No. 88 overall. Presently just 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, he still has plenty of room to grow into his frame and evaluators see plenty of power still to come as he matures physically and gains familiarity with pitchers.
But going oppo in the clutch on Day 1 is pretty impressive, too.