BA GRADE
50
Risk: Extreme
Born: April 13, 1999. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 180. Signed: Venezuela, 2015. Signed by: Marlo Zerpa/Marlon Urdaneta (Angels).
The Tigers’ rebuild hit full speed when Justin Verlander was dealt to the Astros. That helped make further decisions like trading away Ian Kinsler easier to make and Hernandez is a key part of that trade’s return.
Hernandez, who signed as a 16-year-old for $125,000, put on about 20 pounds from the 2016 season, and the added weight and strength was reflected in his fastball velocity, which sat 93 mph with good movement and touched 96 mph in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2017. Hernandez has a good feel for his changeup, which he can throw to lefthanded and righthanded batters as an average pitch. He has a nice, loose arm and impressed with his competitive nature and work ethic. Hernandez’s primary focus coming out of his first full season in the U.S. is to improve his inconsistent curveball, which has good shape but is a little slow. The pitch, which Hernandez learned in the instructional league in 2017, was in the low 70s this season; it needs more arm speed and conviction.
It’s too soon to determine whether Hernandez projects as a starter or a reliever. Hernandez doesn’t turn 19 until after the start of the 2018 season, but may get a shot at full-season ball with low Class A West Michigan.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
2016 |
Angels (DSL) |
R |
2 |
0 |
1.20 |
5 |
5 |
2017 |
Angels (AZL) |
R |
3 |
1 |
2.61 |
11 |
7 |
|
Orem (PIO) |
R |
1 |
0 |
3.00 |
1 |
0 |
Minor League Totals |
6 |
1 |
2.28 |
17 |
12 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
CG |
SV |
IP |
H |
HR |
2016 |
Angels (DSL) |
0 |
0 |
15 |
12 |
0 |
2017 |
Angels (AZL) |
0 |
0 |
41 |
23 |
1 |
|
Orem (PIO) |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
Minor League Totals |
0 |
0 |
59 |
37 |
1 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
BB |
SO |
K/9 |
WHIP |
AVG |
2016 |
Angels (DSL) |
6 |
14 |
8.4 |
1.20 |
.231 |
2017 |
Angels (AZL) |
20 |
42 |
9.1 |
1.04 |
.161 |
|
Orem (PIO) |
2 |
2 |
6.0 |
1.33 |
.222 |
Minor League Totals |
28 |
58 |
8.8 |
1.10 |
.181 |
|