This Chicago Cubs prospect is starting to reach his full potential in South Bend
SOUTH BEND ― Blink, and you might miss Cristian Hernandez.
One of the fastest players in the Chicago Cubs farm system, Hernandez had 15 steals for the High-A South Bend Cubs going into action Friday, May 16. He had only been caught stealing twice.
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His elite speed is what makes him one of the top prospects in Chicago's entire minor league system.
'Since I was young, I knew I was really fast,' said Hernandez, speaking through an interpreter and South Bend Cubs development coach Collin Andrews. 'After I started playing professional baseball, I realized, 'I'm fast, but if I improve, I can steal some bases.''
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Baseball has been an integral part of Hernandez's life. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, he and his older brother, Alexis, spent countless hours playing together, each honing their craft.
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By the time Hernandez became a teenager, more and more people started noticing the talent he possessed.
'As time went on, I saw the results of my own talent,' Hernandez said. 'There were some agents and coaches that saw what they wanted and recruited me to go to their academies in the Dominican.'
In Jan. 2021, Hernandez decided to turn pro. At just 17 years old, he signed a $3 million deal with the Chicago Cubs organization. His overall skill and body build earned him some lofty comparisons to the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado, among others.
After a combined 91 games played in 2021 and 2022 for the Cubs' Arizona Complex League, Hernandez was promoted to Single-A Myrtle Beach for 2023. The numbers were far from stellar: a .223 batting average with an on-base percentage (.302) better than the slugging percentage (.301), which is rare, and 118 strikeouts.
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It was the first time Hernandez played more than 100 games in a season.
'The biggest thing was the long season because you don't really play a long season until you play professional baseball,' Hernandez said. 'During (2023), that's when I understood I had to be more consistent.'
Hernandez found that consistency in 2024. He was named to the Single-A All-Star team as his batting average rose by nearly 40 points, his on-base percentage 72 points and his slugging 80 points. He hit 27 doubles and drove in 55 runs in 118 games combined with Myrtle Beach and South Bend. Hernandez also recorded 44 stolen bases.
'I knew I had the talent, but from every single side of the ball ― defense, running and hitting ― it was about being consistent every day,' Hernandez said.
South Bend Cubs infielder Cristian Hernandez, right, celebrates sliding safely into second base during a Minor League Baseball game between the South Bend Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs at Four Winds Field on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in South Bend.
That consistency has carried over to this year. Along with his 15 steals ― third amongst Midwest League players going into May 16 action ― Hernandez is batting .283 with a .346 slugging, .428 on-base and .774 OPS. He already has 12 doubles and a team-high 39 hits.
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He's ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the entire Cubs organization, second-best amongst South Bend players behind Jefferson Rojas (No. 6).
'Whatever my goals are today, in my mind, I want to get it better the next day,' Hernandez said. 'If I stole three bases yesterday, I want to steal four tomorrow.'
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Hernandez has primarily played shortstop this year, which is his preferred position ― although he admitted he'll play anywhere if it helps him make it to MLB, even the outfield.
South Bend has struggled as a team in 2025 so far, carrying a 9-27 record into this past weekend. Despite being last in the Midwest League, Hernandez has tried to keep an upbeat attitude.
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'My number one goal is to give support, no matter if the team is winning or losing,' Hernandez said. 'Aside from that, I have to stick to my routine. I want to help my team win, even if we don't end up winning.'
Follow Austin Hough on X (formerly Twitter) @AustinRHough and on Facebook at "Austin Hough - South Bend Tribune." Hough can be emailed at ahough@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Cristian Hernandez keeps ascending amongst Chicago Cubs prospects
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