The White Sox have signed outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to a minor league contract, Hernandez himself tells Daniel Parra of SportsVenezuela.com. He’ll head straight to minor league camp it seems.
Hernandez, 32, spent the 2019 season in the Red Sox organization but in a tiny sample of 57 Major League plate appearances (.143/.218/.243) and in a larger body of work for Triple-A Pawtucket. In 504 trips to the plate with Boston’s top minor league affiliate, Hernandez hit just .219/.319/.377.
Hernandez is only a season removed from hitting 15 home runs in a part-time role with the Giants, though. His overall .234/.285/.391 slash from that season aligns closely with his career stats in 1091 MLB plate appearances. Hernandez has had much better luck in Triple-A — even with last year’s numbers dragging him down — where he’s compiled a career .266/.342/.380 slash. He has experience playing all three outfield positions, and while his marks in center aren’t as sharp as those in the corners, he’s a capable glove at all three. Over the past four years, Hernandez has a cumulative 3.0 Ultimate Zone Rating, 11 Outs Above Average and -1 Defensive Runs Saved.
Chicago’s offseason extension of Luis Robert all but ensured that the ballyhooed 22-year-old will open the season as the Major League center fielder. With Robert ticketed for the big leagues, the White Sox’ outfield mix in Triple-A will likely feature prospects Luis Alexander Basabe, Luis Gonzalez and some combination of offseason minor league signees Daniel Palka, Nicky Delmonico and Jaycob Brugman. Hernandez adds a righty bat to an otherwise heavily left-handed mix and can capably give the White Sox’ Charlotte affiliate reps anywhere in the outfield.
I guess we need OF in the minors.
Need to fill AAA rosters
He could be a possible back-up(depending on who makes the roster of course)
He’s worse than Adam Engel. If he’s anything more than minor league depth, the Sox will be in a very, very bad spot.
Gorkys’ season last year probably represents the ceiling for Engel. Engel himself is endemic of the White Sox lack of depth, but really if Engel is his best self these two are interchangeable pieces.
Gorkys’ 2019: (.143/.218/.243). Engel’s 2019: (.242/.304/.384). To say Gorkys’ 2019 is Engel’s ceiling is false. Do some research before posting next time. Engel is not a great hitter but he has improved in that aspect every year he’s been in the league. His strength is his defense as he’s shown to be a gold glove caliber CF when given the opportunity. IMO Engel’s ceiling compares much more closely to someone like Harrison Bader and Engel is currently a decent option as a fourth outfielder.
Comparing a singular season where both players were trash isn’t exactly winning an argument. I used scout grades for his tools, which pretty much tell the story of what Engel’s ceiling is…which is roughly not good enough to make a good roster.
Engel is the best center fielder I’ve seen since Jim Landis, and after returning from a demotion last year, he hit better than before. He will be a valuable member of the team.
He’s a 35 hit, 40 power tool player. He’ll never be anything but a 25/26th man on a roster. And really, only on a bad roster lacking legitimate options out of a 5th outfielder.
Gorkys Hernandez is not making the White Sox 26-man active roster over Adam Engel. Hernandez is 32-years old and at best an average defensive outfielder. Engel is 28 and an exceptional defender.
The White Sox will have two defensively challenged starting corners this season in LF Eloy Jimenez and RF Nomar Mazara. As things stand now in camp, Engel is a virtual lock to be the White Sox 4th or 5th outfielder and perhaps the lesser side platoon option with Mazara in RF coming off the former’s .313/.360/.482 slash versus LHP in 2019. Versatile switch-hitter Leury Garcia will be the other White Sox reserve outfielder, one who can also play SS, 2B and 3B in addition to all 3 OF spots.
His only purpose is to kill the Rockies. He won’t stick in the AL.
He was even bad, correction very bad, in AAA at Pawtucket last year
Juan = John
Jorge = George
Gorkys = Gorkys
Pedro=Paul
Raul=Ringo?
I believe Pablo=Paul maybe be Pedro =Peter?
Where will Gorkys’ Park be?
Moscow, probably.
I’m surprised that teams havent thought about using Delmonico back at third base and a super utility player with his power and his average isnt that bad.
Nicky the D will mean Sox in a heap of trouble if he sees any major league at bats
His 15 home run season must be one of the luckiest ever
This guy hit a home run off Kershaw without the aid of a trash can or being a cardinal
I just don’t get it……why do the Sox continue to sign these kinda guys? Non=performing,, low level talent. They have so many high rated outfielders in minors, do they really need a guy who has proven he cannot play any better?
I wonder the same but sometimes certain GM’s and scouts can see things that others can’t. Hopefully there’s something there.
I get it…..but I hate to see at bats not given to Basabe, Gonzalez,at a Triple a level, and given to a guy who hasn’t impressed 29 other teams. He hit .219 last year in minors, is 32 years old, why waste their time and money on this guy?
Maybe he has a hot wife/ girlfriend? I totally agree with your REASON of WHY sign these types
Makes me want to watch the movie Porky’s. All 3 of them.
Just for depth in case a Palka or another AAAA guy gets claimed or offer over in Japan/Korea which Palka and Delmonico would be probably good fits and out of options.
Just for depth in case a Palka or another AAAA guy gets claimed or offer over in Japan/Korea which Palka and Delmonico would be probably good fits and out of options.
Chicken Parm
Okay, did Hahn lose a bet? If they need an outfielder they can make a stop at some American Legion beer league and find one. Where does this move Cuthbert on the depth chart?
Dumpster Divin’ Hahn!
This signing is only to fill an outfield spot until Adolfo, Basabe and Rutherford get promoted to AAA.
My prediction is that Louis Robert will struggle and be sent down at some point this season, so this is a good move to have depth.
@Chisox378
I could see him struggling being a rookie, but he would have to be horrible to get sent down. I’m talking way under the Mendoza Line and paltry power numbers. The Sox are fully committed to him. They will give him a ton of leeway.
I would be stunned if they send him down at any point this season (outside of rehab from an injury).