Alex Herrera Stats & Scouting Report

IP	12
ERA	5.25
WHIP	1.583
BB/9	6.75
SO/9	8.25

Full name Alexander J. Herrera
Born 11/05/1976 in Maracaibo, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Debut 09/13/2002

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Herrera wasn't as overwhelming last year as he was in his breakout year of 2001, but he was solid and continued to move toward the majors as a power lefty reliever. He has a mid- 90s fastball and a slider that can be devastating at times. When he keeps his mechanics together and allows his slider to work for him, Herrera can be a dominating pitcher. Like most power pitchers, Herrera sometimes struggles with his command and has a tendency to overthrow. He needs to harness his emotions and concentrate on repeating his delivery. Though he's lefthanded he doesn't hold runners well; basestealers went 13-for-13 against him in 2002. He has more than enough stuff to get both lefties and righties out, and he showed well in five late-season appearances with Cleveland. He'll go to spring training and compete for a job in the big league bullpen.
Herrera had escaped notice until last year, when he was untouchable in high Class A. He limited Carolina League hitters to a .171 average while striking out 12.5 batters per nine innings, and Double-A batters didn't find him much easier to solve. He lacks size but he doesn't lack heat. He has a lively 92-96 mph fastball, which hitters aren't accustomed to seeing from a lefty. His slider is inconsistent, but it's also a plus pitch at times. When he has both pitches working, he's in charge. Herrera's delivery varies, so his command and stuff do as well. He also throws a changeup, but like his slider it's far from a finished product. At 5-foot-11, it's not easy for him to leverage the ball down in the strike zone. If he can add one or two secondary pitches and firm up his mechanics, Herrera has back-of-the-bullpen potential. He had a strong winter pitching in his native Venezuela, which could springboard him to Triple-A at the start of this season. His name has started to come up in trade inquiries, but so far the Indians have resisted.

Minor League Top Prospects

Nothing in Herrera's past indicated he was headed toward the type of success he had in 2001. The Indians knew Herrera had talent. They liked his low-90s fastball and were impressed with his slider, but he advanced through the bottom of the minor league system without really being noticed. This summer, however, Herrera stood out. A rare power level, he reached 95 mph with his fastball while his slider was untouchable at times. He struck out 12.5 batters per nine innings and held opponents to a .171 average. After a promotion to Double-A, he continued to pitch well. He threw mostly in middle relief in order to get him consistent innings. He's working on making his delivery and command more consistent.