Yoandy Fernandez

YOANDY FERNANDEZ, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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
IND:  2-0-0, 8.25 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 12.0 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

Fernandez pitched only briefly for the Normal CornBelters in the Frontier League.

2016
DNP

Fernandez didn’t pitch after going unselected in the draft.

2017
A-:  5-0-2, 2.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 36.2 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 13.0 K/9

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
2018: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
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
April 3, 2017: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.