David Hernandez moved to 4-4 with the win over Oakland last night.

In 6.2 innings, Hernandez allowed 6 hits, 2 er, 2 homers, 1 bb, and 6 k’s.

The 6 k’s were a Major League career high, and great to see.

The two homers allowed, mean Hernandez has allowed 5 in his last 3 starts; and 9 overall in 59 innings of work.

Hernandez has had a very interesting first 10 starts in the Majors.

In seven of the starts, Hernandez has pitched at-least 5 innings, and over 6 innings five times.

In his 59 innings of work, Hernandez has allowed 66 hits, those 9 homers, 22 walks, and just 34 k’s.

Despite that, his era is under 4, and he has a somewhat respectable OPS against of .806.

Based on his career K-rates in the Minors, you have to feel good about his future, if he can refine his slider, and increase his K’s at the ML level. His fast-ball has a lot of movement in and out of the zone, but he has had to adapt to Major League hitters being more patient, and not as willing to chase.

Another thing to note is that his Grounder to Fly-ball ratio is just 0.50. He is going to have to work on a sinker, and keeping the ball in the park.

I think the O’s are going to have a decision to make with Hernandez.

If you were to trade Guthrie, you can see the O’s keeping Hernandez in the rotation with Matusz, Tillman, Arrieta, and Bergesen. If Guthrie is not traded, Hernandez’s arm is still going to belong on the 12 man staff.

Hernandez has pitched over 100 innings in 4 consecutive professional seasons. He clearly has good arm-strength. I think he could greatly help the O’s bullpen, and eventually close.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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