Colorado Rockies prospect Yanquiel Fernández has been called up to make his Major League debut this week. The 22-year-old outfielder will become the 30th Cuban-born player to appear in an MLB game this season.
Fernández has spent all of 2025 in Triple-A Albuquerque after splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He posted a solid slash line of .284/.347/.502 with 13 home runs in the Pacific Coast League—already surpassing his total home runs from the entire 2024 season. His .849 OPS translates to a 96 wRC+ in the notoriously hitter-friendly PCL.
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Fernández has shown notable growth in several key areas. His walk rate has climbed to 8.5%, his highest since recording a 10.9% mark as an 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2021. He’s also posted a career-best 12.9% swinging strike rate and a 14% strikeout rate—the second-best of his professional career. His line drive rate of 23.7% is also the second-highest he’s posted.
Ranked as Colorado’s No. 5 prospect, Fernández is expected to start in right field for the Rockies. After developing in the offense-heavy PCL, he’ll now call Coors Field—another hitter’s haven—home. With his improving line drive rate and raw power, the spacious Coors outfield could play to his strengths.
One area to monitor will be his chase rate, which currently sits at 40.5%. If he can bring that down, his offensive profile could become even more effective.
Fernández is slated to debut on Wednesday against the Houston Astros, batting eighth and playing right field.
Photo: Colorado Rockies outfielder Yanquiel Fernández warms up before a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
