Elier Hernandez Signs With Royals

Elier Hernandez is now among the most well-paid 16-year-olds on the planet after signing a reported $3.05 million bonus to become the Royals latest international signing.

The Royals were rumored to be the frontrunners on Hernandez back in June.  With the official international signing period starting July 2, Hernandez was among the first announced signings.

Since he’s only 16, it will take a while for him to work up the ladder, but Hernandez has the fabled five tool label and sees himself as another Andruw Jones (we can only assume he means late-teens, early-20s Andruw Jones and not Los Angeles Andruw Jones).

Hernandez, from the Domincan Republic, is described by Baseball America as a high-risk, high-reward player, but “if the hitting comes, he’ll be a superstar.” Clint Scoles at Pinetar Press has video posted of Hernandez as well as an interview with International Prospect League founder Jim Sanson about the outfielder.

The Royals have had success recently with other international signings.  Cheslor Cuthbert hit his fifth home run on Friday for Kane County in Low A.  Meanwhile, Noel Arguelles has been dominating in Wilmington and may be the next pitcher to get promoted to Double A.  Hernandez should end up in the instructional leagues and then on to winter ball with the target of 2012 for short season leagues.  From there, the sky’s the limit.

For more on Elier Hernandez, check out the IPL online.

You can stay current on all the Kings of Kauffman content and news by following us onTwitter, Facebook, or by way of our RSS feed.