To be a Yankee “was a dream of mine”: an interview with Jared Serna

This past Sunday, I was fortunate to sit down with Single-A Tampa’s hottest bat through the first two months and change of the season (despite a malfunctioning microphone setup). The Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico native has batted .322/.385/.517/.902 through the first 45 games of the season, leading the team in hits (58), doubles (9), home runs (8), RBI (28), and stolen bases (13).

2B Jared Serna (John Brophy/Pinstriped Prospects)

Serna also made quite a splash last season with the FCL Yankees in 2022, helping them to win a championship, but his offensive performance in full-season Single-A is even better than the short-season Rookie level, which is relatively unheard of.

Serna has proven to be a utility player of sorts, handling 2B, SS & 3B with relative ease for this level. Serna is a natural 2B, making sliding over to SS on occasion make sense.

Jared Serna waiting for the play to happen in a Tampa Tarpons game (John Brophy/Pinstriped Prospects)

He told me that between 2B and SS (where he primarily plays the most), SS is his strongest position despite being a natural 2B and is the position he ultimately prefers. His ability to play SS and 2B, along with 3B, may open some paths for promotion, but prospects like Ben Cowles, Alexander Vargas, Trey Sweeney, and Oswald Peraza are in his way. One or more would have to get moved for consistent promotions to happen.

I asked him if, given his utility in the infield, a move to the outfield would be successful like what the Yankees did with Oswaldo Cabrera last year. Serna said, “I want to think so. I have the tools for the whole game, so it’s not that I can’t play it. I’m not always at 2^nd base either, so I can play the outfield, too.”

I think Serna could be successful in the outfield in a pinch, but don’t know if his arm would carry. Serna has an average arm, sufficient for the infield but sometimes struggles getting the ball across the field when he plays 3B.

I asked #Yankees infield prospect Jared Serna on his thoughts about converting to a util player because to me I see a lot of Oswaldo Cabrera in him given the tools he has. This is what he said: pic.twitter.com/sil7c4D5zF

— John Brophy (@jbrophybaseball) June 5, 2023

Serna added, “Ever since I was little, you might not believe it, but I’ve been a fan of the Yankees,” and that getting signed by the Yankees “was a dream of mine.”

Serna told me that the players that have captivated him the most are Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, giving a nod to Mark Teixeira, especially given that he was a Yankees fan growing up. Serna gave more emphasis on A-Rod, saying that they were “tremendous ballplayers”. On Aaron Judge, or “El Juez” as he’s called in Spanish, Serna said, “he’s a monster. I have tremendous respect for him.”

I ask every player that I’m able to interview what their favorite food is in the States. I’ve mostly gotten Chipotle before, but Waffle House is a new one. Serna noted that he enjoys American breakfast, adding “Waffle House is very tasty, for sure.” I’m sure many of you agree.

I only ask the hard-hitting questions here. I also now have a Waffle House craving. You probably do too now. You're welcome. pic.twitter.com/4lE5taWH18

— John Brophy (@jbrophybaseball) June 5, 2023

When asked about his favorite food from his homeland, Mexico, he told me “Home cooking [like] picadillo (ground beef hash)… with kernel corn and rice on the side.” On the topic of his home country, Serna told me that his favorite part of Mexico are the beaches, the sunsets, and that Mexico is “very pretty”.

Serna also plays for the Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican Pacific League for winter ball. I asked the difference between playing pro ball in the States and in Mexico, and he told me that it’s mostly similar except that we have different levels here. Mexican baseball is mostly one level of mixed abilities, similar to that of other winter ball leagues like the Dominican LIDOM and the Venezuelan LVBP.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, ‘prospecto’!🥳🎈🍾
Deseamos que pases un gran día, Jared Serna🐴🎂#DeVueltaAlJuego🤠 pic.twitter.com/6eVvNhqeCW

— Charros de Jalisco🤠 (@charrosbeisbol) June 2, 2023