Miguel Hernandez

MIGUEL HERNANDEZ, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: November 3, 1995
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 175
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2014, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

Hernandez wasn’t one of the Pirates’ more prominent signees, but he has good size and has hit 93-94 mph.  He also throws a slider and change.

2015
DSL:  1-5-0, 3.54 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 61.0 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 7.5 K/9

Hernandez spent the season in the DSL rotation.  His ERA is misleading, as he gave up 20 unearned runs.  He improved over the course of the season, with opponents posting a .714 OPS against him in June, .635 in July and .601 in August.  Hernandez had trouble with left-handed hitters, who batted .324 against him.

2016
R:  2-2-0, 4.67 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 34.2 IP, 6.0 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

Hernandez pitched mostly out of the rotation.  He pitched well at times, but couldn’t throw strikes with any consistency.  He continued to have serious problems with left-handed hitters, who posted an .800 OPS against him.  Right-handed hitters managed just .536.

2017
R+:  1-4-1, 10.13 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, 24.0 IP, 7.1 BB/9, 6.4 K/9

The Pirates moved Hernandez up to Bristol, which he pitched in relief.  It obviously didn’t go well, as he couldn’t throw strikes.  He got hit hard as well, with opponents batting .323 against him and slugging .505 with a HR every five innings.

2018
A-:  2-1-1, 5.26 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 37.2 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 6.0 K/9

Despite his problems in 2017, the Pirates moved Hernandez up to Morgantown.  He pitched out of the bullpen except for a spot start on the season’s last day.  He pitched better than the previous year, or at least his control was a lot better.  He got hit hard, though, with opponents batting .329 against him.

Hernandez has a long ways to go still.  Unless he shows significant improvement, he might have lot of trouble in a full season league.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2019: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2015
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2021
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2019
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 2, 2014: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.