Adeinis Hechavarria: The Next Yankee Shortstop?
Written by Greg Fertel   
Saturday, 13 February 2010 12:06

Ah, I love me some prospect hyperbole. From the New York Post's George King:

“The Yankees have been on [Hechavarria] for a while,” said a scout who saw the 21-year-old shortstop work out recently in the Dominican Republic. “Two weeks ago, about 50 scouts watched him work out and the Yankees were there. They also have seen him in smaller workouts.”

Because the Red Sox gave 19-year old shortstop Jose Iglesias $8 million, industry sources expect the right-handed-hitting Hechavarria to command a $7 to $8 million signing bonus.

“Maybe more because his bat is better than Iglesias’,” a scout said.

Hechavarria, who defected in Mexico last year, played short for the Cuban Junior National team two years ago.

“There has been a lot of interest,” said agent, Bart Hernandez, without mentioning teams. “He is a legitimate player with a chance to be a real good one.”

Though the Yankees view the 6-foot, 170-pounder strictly as a shortstop, others believe he could travel the same path the Rays’ B.J. Upton took: shortstop to impact center fielder.

“He is a very good athlete and runs real well,” the scout said. “I don’t see him as a shortstop, I think he has a chance to be a center fielder in the mold of B.J. Upton. His throwing actions at short are kind of long.”

I wish I had more to tell you about the guy, but I don't know anything that isn't in King's article. However, I'm totally on board with the Yankees signing him. The Yankees seriously lack organizational depth at shortstop—I didn't have any in my top 30 prospect list—so this would be a tremendous boost there.

The price of $7-8 doesn't sound too bad if he has a fraction of B.J. Upton's athleticism and baseball ability. Plus, it's not my money. So go ahead and get this guy signed, Cashman. It would certainly be a nice boost to the ravaged farm system.

Update: Reader Mike R. passes along a blog post with some more information on Hechavarria. Also, head over to the 4:58 mark on this video to see Hechavarria display awesome range going to his left.

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written by leonora, February 13, 2010
For what it's worth Enrique Rojas and Jorge Arangure think that he'll get more than Iglesias. They both pointed out that Iglesias had to move to 2B on the juniors team after Hechavarria joined.
Well
written by Greg F., February 13, 2010
That's worth more than George King's word in my book. Still not my money, though smilies/wink.gif
Why not?
written by Christos, February 13, 2010
Jeet should be outa town by the time this guys ready, or we could have him mentor the young guy in his last year, like vizquel and andrus
Hechevarria Link
written by Mike R. - Retire 21, February 13, 2010
Here is a report:

http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/2009/11/ss-adeiny-hechevarria-is-my-seven-best.html

Also, I've read in more than one place that he is 19, not 21. I'd love for the Yanks to be in on this guy.
...
written by Greg F., February 13, 2010
Mike -

Thanks for the info, I updated the post. The age thing is interesting, but I'd probably default to the older age.
...
written by mainline, February 13, 2010
What level do you think he'd start at if the Yankees signed him?
Starting Level
written by Mike R. - Retire 21, February 13, 2010
I know the question wasn't directed to me, but I think they treat him like a college senior. Probably start him out in Tampa with a move to Trenton at mid season based on what they see. IMHO
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written by Greg F., February 13, 2010
Yeah, I honestly have no idea since I don't know how polished his game is... but what Mike said seems right to me.
Nothing like NY Post hyperbole
written by Rob A from BBD, February 13, 2010
Thanks for the link to that Cuban Ball Players blog.
...
written by brad rabern, February 15, 2010
With the high bonus the Yankees originally paid to Damian Arrendondo, you'd think he must be highly regarded by the Yankees. You have stated that the Yankees have re-signed him, though he is using his real name now. Would you rate Hechavarria a better SS prospect than Arrendondo?
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written by Greg F., February 15, 2010
If the Yankees signed Hechavarria he'd definitely be one of the Yankees Top 7 prospects. I would never have had Arredondo in my top 20... so yes , he's certainly a better prospect than Arredondo who turned out to be named Fernando Perez.

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