One of the Cubs’ top prospects is being promoted.

Shortstop Cristian Hernández was promoted from Low-A Myrtle Beach to High-A South Bend Tuesday. Hernández, 20, is the Cubs’ 17th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

Hernández had been having a breakout campaign offensively with the Pelicans. In 94 games, he was hitting .266/.380/.404 with 133 wRC+, 5 home runs, 50 RBI and 37 stolen bases. He’s increased his walk rate from 9% in 2023 to 14.5% this season and lowered his strikeout percentage from 27.4% to 23%.

He picked up an RBI single in his second at-bat with the South Bend Cubs.

In 2021, Hernández was the jewel of the international free agent class for the Cubs, inking a $3 million signing bonus. At the time, he drew comparisons to greats like Alex Rodríguez and Manny Machado.

But the adjustment to the professional ranks wasn’t so smooth for the youngster. In 2022 in the Arizona Complex League, Hernández slashed .261/.320/.357 with an 88 wRC+ and last season in Myrtle Beach, slashed .223/.302/.301 with a 77 wRC+.

Hernández briefly overlapped with the Cubs’ 2024 1st-round pick Cam Smith at Myrtle Beach. Smith joined the Pelicans last week and went 1-for-7 with a double in his first 2 games. In his first game at Pelicans Ballpark on Tuesday, Smith had an RBI triple.