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Physical Description: Has filled out considerably
since he signed. Solid pitcher's frame with a thick lower half.
Minimal remaining projection.
Mechanics:
Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Starts with his hands by
his belt and keeps them there. High leg kick. Some effort in
delivery and short arm action with a wrist wrap behind. Hides
the ball well, keeping his arm behind his body until he releases
the pitch. Gets great extension towards the plate.
Fastball: 93-95 mph. Tops out at 97 mph. Pitch
shows natural cut. Has late life and jumps on hitters,
particularly left-handers, due to arm slot, deception, and
extension. Pitch has shown the ability to overwhelm hitters in
the low minors even when he isn't hitting his spots. Command and
control need refinement and are below-average at present.
Velocity has shown it plays up in short bursts. Potential
plus-to-better offering.
Curveball:
76-79 mph. 1-to-7 break with a high spin rate. Shows feel for
the pitch. At its best, really snaps it off and pitch shows
depth and tight rotation. Inconsistent, rolls slower at lower
velocities. Potential above-average offering.
Changeup: 82-86 mph. Firm. Work in progress, clear
third pitch. Will flash fade on occasion. Fringe-average to
average potential.
Slider: 83-87 mph. Inconsistent shape, can
sometimes move like a cutter. Will flash tight rotation and late
bite, but will also get loose when he doesn't finish the pitch.
Average potential.
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Career Notes: Signed out of
Venezuela in August 2013 for a marginal bonus. Spent two seasons
in the DSL, earning a spot in the rotation in 2015. Participated
in 2015 and 2016 Fall Instructional League. Put himself on the
radar as a prospect in 2017, impressing during his age 20 season
in Greenville. Missed the first month of the 2020 season due to
COVID-19, and spent a second stint on the IL with a sprained
left AC joint in September. Shed some weight entering 2021 and
came to camp in excellent shape. Made ALCS roster in 2021. Spent
a month-and-a-half of the 2022 season on the IL for an MCL
sprain. Received "starts" in Triple-A to start that season in an
attempt to get him regular work before suffering the injury. Was
designated for assignment in January 2023 to make room on the
40-man roster for Justin Turner and eventually traded to
Baltimore for cash considerations.
Summation: Definite major league quality arm, but
ultimate role is still to be decided. Likely is best suited for
the bullpen, where his stuff could play up and secondary pitches
and command would not need to develop as much. Has potential
late inning stuff in that role. If his breaking ball or changeup
and command and control improve, could develop into a number
three/four starter. Still learning to incorporate secondary
pitches and not rely too much on his fastball. Has gotten
consistently better as he's moved up the ladder and made strides
each year.
Links
Hernandez Video from Lowell (6.21.16)
Scouting Scratch
(6.29.16)
Notes from the Field
(4.11.17)
Notes from the Field
(5.2.18) |
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