Hernandez has a classic power pitcher's frame and arsenal. He gets tremendous movement on both his fastball and slider, which gives him a chance at two plus pitches. His fastball typically sits at 90-93 MPH, but he can dial it up to 95 MPH when needed. His slider has good break, but he could stand to finetune his command of both pitches within the strike zone. That said, his command certainly hasn't been a problem in A-ball.
His changeup is a below-average pitch at this point and he doesn't always repeat his arm action. Hernandez's main problem, however, has been a penchant for the big inning, which helps account for the disparity between his first rate peripheral numbers and his below average ERA.
Hernandez's manager, Tommy Thompson, echoed what has been a common concern about the right-hander's confidence in his own stuff, “He’s got three pitches. He can pitch inside. He can throw a breaking ball. He can throw a fastball away and he can throw a changeup at anytime in any count. He just needs to locate his pitches better and, I think, pitch with a little more confidence at times. I don’t know if he realizes how good of stuff and pitches he has. Once that comes into play, I think the concentration and confidence will take those pitches and make them even better against the hitters.”
Solid fastball, good slider, needs more improvement with his change. He's been very inconsistant overall with his command and he's a flyball pitcher in a decent hitters park so take a wait and see approach with him.
by Members Only Jackets » Sat May 30, 2009 6:43 am
John Sickles recently put out a top 100 list and this guy was 96...I trust Sickles...... With the research I've done on the NET, expect this guy tO be Up and down with trouble getting past the 6th inning because he is a bit wild...some say he should be a closer. But with all this said, he does have good stuff...
Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime.
joshfern wrote:Prepare for a possible move to the bullpen when Koji comes off the DL, though.
Dont see that. He is more highly regarded then either Bergesen or Berken, so I would think he would keep his spot over either of them (Though Berken had a heck of a start today).
A few reasons I think Hernandez will move to the bullpen while Berken and Bergesen stay in the rotation when Koji returns:
1. Berken and Bergesen have better control than Hernandez (2.5 and 1.6 BB/9 respectively in MiLB to Hernandez's 3.8). That bodes well for them as starters since they'll work more efficiently and command all their pitches over the course of 6 or 7 innings.
2. Koji is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the rotation when he returns so that's one less spot for Hernandez.
3. Jamie Walker is on the brink of losing his job. Perhaps they cut ties with him to clear up a spot for Koji, put Hendrickson in the long-man/LH specialist role, and assign Hernandez to a MRP/LRP role.
4. Hernandez has arguably the best fastball on the O's current roster and a nasty slider. He's really just a two-pitch pitcher. Protect his vulnerability but putting him in the pen and limiting opposing hitter's chances of figuring him out over a 6 or 7 inning start as opposed to a 1 to 3 inning relief appearance.
5. Think for the future. Hernandez probably will be one of the odd men out once Tillman, Matusz and Arrieta arrive. Give him some experience coming out of the bullpen. There's no way any of those three pitchers will be anything other than SP. Not the case for Hernandez.
6. Hernandez has the repertoire to be a closer. Lord knows the O's need one. Hell, the O's need relief pitching period. Hernandez could be an internal solution.
Edit: Also, as for Guthrie, I don't see him going anywhere any time soon. He's the ONLY pitcher in the O's starting rotation who is not a rookie. Think about it.
Plus you don't just deal a guy with 97mph heat who's only making $650 K for "scrap." He's cheap, talented and experienced. We need that over the next couple seasons.
joshfern wrote:A few reasons I think Hernandez will move to the bullpen while Berken and Bergesen stay in the rotation when Koji returns:
1. Berken and Bergesen have better control than Hernandez (2.5 and 1.6 BB/9 respectively in MiLB to Hernandez's 3.8). That bodes well for them as starters since they'll work more efficiently and command all their pitches over the course of 6 or 7 innings.
2. Koji is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the rotation when he returns so that's one less spot for Hernandez.
3. Jamie Walker is on the brink of losing his job. Perhaps they cut ties with him to clear up a spot for Koji, put Hendrickson in the long-man/LH specialist role, and assign Hernandez to a MRP/LRP role.
4. Hernandez has arguably the best fastball on the O's current roster and a nasty slider. He's really just a two-pitch pitcher. Protect his vulnerability but putting him in the pen and limiting opposing hitter's chances of figuring him out over a 6 or 7 inning start as opposed to a 1 to 3 inning relief appearance.
5. Think for the future. Hernandez probably will be one of the odd men out once Tillman, Matusz and Arrieta arrive. Give him some experience coming out of the bullpen. There's no way any of those three pitchers will be anything other than SP. Not the case for Hernandez.
6. Hernandez has the repertoire to be a closer. Lord knows the O's need one. Hell, the O's need relief pitching period. Hernandez could be an internal solution.
Edit: Also, as for Guthrie, I don't see him going anywhere any time soon. He's the ONLY pitcher in the O's starting rotation who is not a rookie. Think about it.
Plus you don't just deal a guy with 97mph heat who's only making $650 K for "scrap." He's cheap, talented and experienced. We need that over the next couple seasons.
As much as it pains me to say because I'm a current Henderson owner, that was one hell of a post.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by hett2333 » Wed May 27, 2009 12:05 pm 
