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What to Expect from Rockies Outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 11:12 AM ET

Amidst a potentially record-breaking season, the Rockies have given several of their notable prospects a look this season. The next one to get his shot is Rockies outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez, the 22-year-old who showed immense home run prowess across his Minor League career.

A Look at Fernandez

Cuban outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez signed with the Rockies as a 16-year-old in 2019. Since then, his career arc has been something else.

Fernandez didn’t play professionally until 2021 and tore through the DSL before an incredible 2022 campaign in the California League. The left-handed slugger belted 21 home runs and 59 extra-base hits with Fresno (A) as a 19-year-old.

He continued to excel in 2023, as Fernandez hit 25 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Then, things went south, as Fernandez only hit 12 home runs in the 2024 campaign. Across 33 games with the Isotopes (AAA), Fernandez only hit two home runs.

His second go-around this season at Triple-A was smoother.

The month of June proved to be a needle-mover for Fernandez. The Rockies prospect hit .364/.394/.652 (1.046 OPS) with five home runs and nine extra-base hits in June. As a whole, Fernandez is currently in the top-20 of the PCL in home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.502) this season.

Now, to say Fernandez is a free swinger would be an understatement. The 21-year-old is a habitual chaser. Last season with Alburquerque, Fernandez chased at pitches outside of the zone 40.8% of the time. It got somewhat better this season but Fernandez still hacked at pitches 40% of the time outside.

That chase problem is a prime example of why Fernandez had muted walk numbers in the Minors. He only walked 7.2% of the time in 2024, and this season, 8.5% in Triple-A. On the flip side, however, strikeouts haven’t been a major issue over the last two years. Fernandez posted sub-20% K% in 2024-25.

Now, as for the power, Fernandez loved to golf mistake pitches, primarily breaking balls & changeups, low in the zone.

Yanquiel Fernandez 2025 AAA Home Runs: Changeups are gray, sweepers are purple, sinkers are cyan, sliders are orange, and cutters are violet. Via New Baseball Media

However, he didn’t pound four-seamers; Fernandez had a 27.7% Whiff% against four-seamers this season.

Defensively, Fernandez has strictly been a right fielder. His arm has played well in right, as Fernandez gunned down 33 career runners, 11 of which came during the 2023 campaign. Fernandez had five outfield assists in 53 games before the promotion.

Multiple outlets confirmed that Yanquiel Fernandez would be promoted on July 1 by the Rockies.

Analysis

The Rockies won’t need to add Fernandez to the 40-man roster, as Colorado added him in November 2023. And since Fernandez was optioned twice, the Rockies were going to need to give him a chance at some point.

As noted, Fernandez has his flaws. However, the Rockies have space to give Fernandez a look as we approach July.

Jordan Beck (108 OPS+) has clicked at the Major League level this season, while Brenton Doyle (50 OPS+) has performed poorly at the plate. Mickey Moniak (103 OPS+) already has 11 home runs, as his power has played well in Coors Field.

The hope is that Fernandez, whether he plays right field or slots in as DH, can find his groove at the MLB level to give the Rockies’ offense a punch. While he may not profile as a top-three hitter on a long-term basis, the home run power nonetheless makes him an interesting name.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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