YOANDY FERNANDEZ, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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Born: March 29, 1988 Height: 6’1″ Weight: 185 Bats: Right Throws: Right Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2017, Pittsburgh Pirates How Acquired: International Free Agent Country: Cuba Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
Fernandez was the Pirates’ second Cuban signing in spring 2017, the first being another right-hander, Dany Hernandez. Like Hernandez, Fernandez does not appear to be a top prospect. The Pirates have largely ignored the Cuban market, no doubt due to cost, with only two minor signings from that market, both early in Neal Huntington’s tenure as GM and both unsuccessful. Fernandez pitched as a reliever in Cuba from 2007-13, posting a 4.22 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and a very low 4.1 K/9. He also pitched briefly in the independent Frontier League in 2015. He defected to Mexico in 2014 and was declared eligible for the MLB amateur draft in 2015, but was not selected. This may have been because he did not want to sign a minor league contract. At the time, MLB.com reported that he threw 89-92 mph, with a slider and change. He may be throwing a little harder recently and has reportedly added a cutter.
2015 Fernandez pitched only briefly for the Normal CornBelters in the Frontier League. 2016 Fernandez didn’t pitch after going unselected in the draft. 2017 Fernandez pitched in relief for Morgantown and put up mostly outstanding numbers, especially his walk and K rates. He had a big platoon split, as left-handed hitters posted a .617 OPS against him, as opposed to .727 for right-handed hitters. Fernandez’ numbers at Morgantown don’t necessarily mean a great deal, as he was a 29-year-old pitching in a league in which the average age is 21. He should get a more meaningful test next year. |
CONTRACT INFORMATION
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2018: Minor League Contract |
PLAYER INFORMATION
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Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: 2017 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2023 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2021 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
TRANSACTIONS
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April 3, 2017: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent. |