David Hernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #16 prospect in 2009
  Hernandez has piled up more than 140 innings in each of the last three seasons, and he took a leap forward as a prospect in 2008 by shaving nearly two runs off his career ERA. He topped the Eastern League with 166 strikeouts in 141 innings, the second straight year he led his league in whiffs, and ranked fourth with a 2.68 ERA. Hernandez's fastball sits in the low 90s and can touch 94 mph, and he gets a lot of strikeouts with it because his delivery is so deceptive and hitters struggle to pick up the ball before it's on top on them. His slider is a good pitch when it's on, with two-plane break at times, but he's not consistent enough with it. His changeup is even less reliable, though it did improve in 2008. Because he isn't entirely comfortable with his complementary pitches and likes to go after strikeouts, Hernandez tends to pile up big pitch counts with two- and four-seam fastballs and can wear down late in starts. Those factors, as well as the fact he succeeds more with deception than pure stuff, lead most scouts to project him as a reliever rather than a starter. For now, he'll continue to get the chance to pitch out of the rotation in Triple-A, but his first big league opportunity probably will come in the bullpen.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #15 prospect in 2008
  Hernandez was drafted three times before he began his professional career. The Rockies took him in the 29th round out of a California high school in 2003, but failed to sign him as a draft-and-follow. The Diamondbacks took him in the 34th round in 2004 but couldn't sign him either. The Orioles took him in 2005 and signed him after he put his name all over the Cosumnes River (Calif.) JC record book. He holds school records for single-season (119) and career strikeouts (224), as well as career wins (20). Hernandez draws interest because he has a quick arm that generates 91-93 mph fastballs with amazing deception that allows him to generate high strikeout totals. The ball comes out quick from behind Hernandez' head, and batters don't pick it up. He easily outdistanced Chorye Spoone for the Carolina League strikeout lead last season (168 in 145 innings) and finished tied for eighth in the minors. Hernandez' breaking pitch is a big, sharp curveball, and his changeup has become a usable third offering. His numbers aren't better because he struggles with his command at times and tends to leave the ball up, resulting in too many baserunners and home runs. Command in the strike zone will tell the tale, and Hernandez will take the next step to Double-A for 2008.