Autographs from the Field: Jose Fermin, if, Cleveland Indians

Its always a little tough to figure out who are legit prospects when you are looking at short-season/low-A stats. Especially when they are international free agent signings. Some dudes put up some crazy numbers just to flame out when they hit affiliate or full-season ball. It’s just the way it is.

I find it’s easier to trust what the different talent evaluators say, and when you see a guy outperforming his scouting reports just watch and see what happens.

Enter Jose Fermin.

Fermin signed with the Indians as an international free agent in July 2015. He was not impressive his first two seasons in the organization, hitting in the low-.200 and not showing much in the way of pop. But he opened 2018 with Low-A Mahoning Valley and things changed.

• Fermin hit .279/.391/.382 with 2 HR for the Scrappers. Most impressive stat: he has more walks (39) than K’s (26).

And he has not slowed down in 2019 with Low-A Lake Country.

• So far he is hitting .296/.377/.377 with 5 HR. He has as many walks (35) and K’s (35).
• Don’t think he is beating up on kids. At 20-years old he is running a year younger than the league average.

Fermin has put himself solidly on the prospect map. He has turned into an exciting prospect who, if he keeps hitting like this, is going to move quick.