The San Francisco Giants made a splash in this year’s international signing period, headlined by their commitment to Venezuelan middle infielder Luis Hernández – a name that’s already generating serious buzz across the scouting world. With a signing bonus just shy of $5 million, Hernández wasn’t just the Giants’ top international target – he was widely considered the No. 1 prospect in the entire 2024-25 international class. And now we’re getting a clearer picture of why.

Why Hernández Stands Out

According to MLB Pipeline, the Giants didn’t just land a good one – they may have secured a future star. Hernández was neck-and-neck with Wandy Asigen, who ended up signing with the Mets after a surprising turn of events.

Asigen had long been linked to the Yankees, but a shakeup in their international scouting department led him to back out of that deal in December. The Mets swooped in and signed him for $3.9 million – the same amount he had previously agreed to with the Yankees.

But Hernández topped that, both in terms of bonus and projection. His nearly $5 million deal represents one of the largest international investments the Giants have made – and it’s the second year in a row they’ve gone big on a top-tier international prospect.

A Pattern of Aggressive International Strategy

Last year, the Giants signed another Venezuelan middle infielder, Josuar Gonzalez, for just under $3 million. That move is already paying off.

Gonzalez has rocketed up prospect rankings, with Baseball Prospectus recently giving him a significant nod. His performance in the Dominican Summer League was eye-opening: a .288/.404/.455 slash line, four homers, 24 RBIs, 52 runs, and 33 stolen bases in 38 attempts over 228 plate appearances.

That’s a 129 wRC+ for those keeping score at home – a strong indicator that he’s more than holding his own.

The Giants clearly saw something special in Gonzalez, and early returns suggest they were right. Now, with Hernández, they’re doubling down on that approach – targeting athletic, high-upside infielders with game-breaking potential.

What Scouts Are Saying About Hernández

Jesse Borek of MLB Pipeline laid out why Hernández edged out the rest of the class: elite defense, positional versatility, and explosive speed. While he’s a natural middle infielder, scouts believe he could also handle center field if the Giants decide to try him there. His speed is a weapon on the basepaths, and there’s legitimate 30-30 potential if his development continues on its current arc.

That’s not a projection scouts throw around lightly. A 30-homer, 30-stolen base ceiling puts Hernández in rare company – especially for a player who hasn’t even debuted professionally yet.

Ready for a Fast Track?

Typically, international signees begin their professional journey in the Dominican Summer League, easing into pro ball against similarly aged competition. But the Giants are reportedly considering skipping that step with Hernández. He’s already faced advanced pitching in previous showcases and international tournaments, and the organization believes he might be ready for a more aggressive assignment right out of the gate.

That’s a bold move – but it speaks volumes about how highly the Giants view his maturity, skill set, and readiness for the next level.

The Big Picture

The Giants’ international strategy is becoming increasingly clear: target elite, athletic infielders with high ceilings and fast-track potential. After striking gold with Josuar Gonzalez, they’re betting big on Luis Hernández to be the next breakout star. And if the early scouting reports hold true, San Francisco may have landed a cornerstone piece for the next era of Giants baseball.

It’s early, sure – but this isn’t just hype. It’s calculated investment in players who could change the trajectory of the franchise.

Keep an eye on Hernández. The Giants certainly are.