Pedro Hernandez was traded from the Padres to the White Sox in the Carlos Quentin trade. The White Sox then traded him in the middle of the year in part of a deal to get Francisco Liriano (who gave the White Sox .7 fWAR, a lot of strikeouts, but too many walks with too many homers).
Hernandez is 23 years old and is a short but stout lefty (5-10, 200). He is fastball heavy (upper 80s to low 90s, sits about 90 MPH), but it doesn't seem to play as well against righties, especially when he tries to keep it away. He likes to throw the fastball high, but moves it inside and outside. It looks like he has decent looking command with it. Hernandez also throws what looks like a sinker that he keeps low with some okay movement.
His main off-speed pitch is a change that he can throw for strikes. He will throw it to lefties as well, and tries to locate it on the outside corner to them, with pretty good success. It doesn't have great movement, but the location, speed differential, and ability to sell it with his arm action makes it a pretty good pitch.
He also mixes in a slider that dives into the dirt pretty sharply. I liked the break on it, but he really didn't throw it much when I watched him.
Statistically, Hernandez doesn't have big splits, which surprises me. I guess he locates the change well enough to keep hitters off balance. However, he does not have a good ground-ball rate, despite good looking command. That is at least somewhat concerning and it is not as if he makes up for it with a lot of infield fly-balls.
Overall, he throws a lot of strikes (over 66%) and at-bats don't usually last very long (3.48 Pit/PA over the last two years). He just doesn't walk batters (walk percentage under 5% over the last two years), but he doesn't strikeout a lot of people either.
Hernandez seems to have the mix of pitches and command to be a starter in the big leagues. It is very doubtful that he can be average, but he can certainly be acceptable. The question will obviously be whether or not he is too hittable. He is the type of pitcher who succeeds in AAA only to struggle in the Majors, a pitchability lefty with mediocre stuff. I think I am bullish on Hernandez though, I could see him being a capable above replacement starter in the Majors. He seems to be the kind of guy who would benefit from a pitcher friendly park more than an average pitcher. According to @Toritap's park factors, Target Field played slightly in favor of pitchers this year.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Times to First: Part 14
1. Sean Rodriguez (Rays): 6.53 (2nd to home)
2. B.J. Upton (Rays): 6.66 (2nd to home)
3. Kevin Youkilis (White Sox): 4.36
4. David Ross (Braves): 3.76 (on a bunt)
5. Andrelton Simmons (Braves): 3.71 (on a bunt)
6. Michael Bourn (Braves): 3.71
7. Jose Costanza (Braves): 10.74 (on a triple)
8. Yadier Molina (Cardinals): 4.60
9. Scott Rolen (Reds): 4.27
10. Ryan Ludwick (Reds): 4.65
11. Marco Scutaro (Giants): 4.12
12. Kurt Suzuki (Nationals): 4.40
13. Buster Posey (Giants): 4.33
14. Lew Ford (Orioles): 3.91 (on a bunt), 4.11
15. Joey Votto (Reds): 7.21 (from 2nd to home)
16. Ryan Hanigan (Reds): 11.74 (from 1st to home)
17. Skip Schumaker (Cardinals): 4.10
18. Tommy Mendoca (Rangers AAA): 8.76 (on a double)
19. Greg Miclat (Rangers AAA): 7.78 (on a double)
20. Jerry Sands (Dodgers AAA/Red Sox): 4.57
All the Times:
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Times to First: Part 13
1. Francisco Cervelli (Yankees): 6.68 (from 2nd to home)
2. Adam Rosales (Athletics): 4.29
3. Hank Conger (Angels): 4.59
4. Xavier Nady (Giants): 4.68
5. Luis Cruz (Dodgers): 4.35
6. Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): 4.35
7. Tony Campana (Cubs): 3.87
8. John Buck (Marlins): 4.51
9. Greg Dobbs (Marlins): 4.42
10. Yan Gomes (Blue Jays): 4.45
11. Kyle Seager (Mariners): 10.51 (first to home)
12. Matt Wieters (Orioles): 4.60
13. Stephen Vogt (Rays): 4.24
14. Andrew Romine (Angels): 4.18
15. Brett Jackson (Cubs): 6.99 (from 2nd to home)
16. Josh Vitters (Cubs): 4.49
17. Casper Wells (Mariners): 4.16
18. Brandon Moss (Athletics): 4.28. 10.54 (from 1st to home)
19. Geovany Soto (Rangers): 4.70
20. Seth Smith (Athletics): 4.23
All of the times:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Scouting Report on Sal Romano and some White Sox Prospects
Sal Romano is an 18 year old pitcher that was drafted in the 23rd round by the Reds in 2011. This was his first year in the minors and he started in the Pioneer League and pitched pretty well (3.15 FIP, 3.97 SIERA). His K/BB is unimpressive (especially his mediocre strikeout rate), but he got a ton of ground-balls and gave up just 1 homer in 59.1 innings.
The right-handed pitcher sits at 89-92 MPH with a very high leg kick and a slight turn. One suspects that it gives him some deception, but he also misses more glove side, which one is likely to blame on delivery repetition. He can throw it inside to righties, and this makes his average fastball a bit more dangerous. The fastball also isn't straight, as it has some tail and perhaps a little cut.
His change is without a ton of movement but has good speed differential and a little bit of drop. It is his favorite pitch against lefties.
He also has a curve that breaks away from right-handed hitters. He threw both for strikes, but also had the tendency to hang them. At this level, I would rather this be the case than the absolute inability to throw it for strikes. So even though his fastball is mediocre to average, he does have two off-speed pitches that he can command and throw for strikes.
Micah Johnson was the White Sox 9th round pick in 2012. He is a left-handed hitter that plays 2nd base. When I watched him, he really struggled with breaking pitches. He had a very mediocre career at the University of Indiana, and was actually horrible in his final year. In the Pioneer League, he stole 19 bases (caught 6 times, and had a speed score of 7.7, meaning he is pretty fast). With the bat, his strikeout rate was a little high (just over 23%, something you would expect if he is struggling with breaking pitches), but had a good walk rate (13.5%) and hit about league average overall (108 wRC +)
Justin Jirschele was an undrafted free agent, and didn't hit real well and seems to have no power. However, he had a nice K/BB and he seems to play a solid 2nd base (he plays shortstop as well, but I just him play 2nd). Left-handed hitter with average to below average speed (I clocked him at 4.23 to first).
Brandon Brennan was a 4th round pick by the White Sox out of community college. He is a RHP with a pretty clean delivery, although perhaps a rather unorthodox arm action. He has a 91-93 MPH fastball that he can tail glove side
with a pretty hard sweeping slider. He doesn't have good control of the slider but it is probably his best pitch. It looks like he has a change as well, but it doesn't have great movement. Overall, he can move the ball from his arm side to his glove side with okay to average command. He doesn't have great velocity, but it is adequate.You can see why he was a 4th round pick. There is some talent and projection there, but he isn't going to be great.
The right-handed pitcher sits at 89-92 MPH with a very high leg kick and a slight turn. One suspects that it gives him some deception, but he also misses more glove side, which one is likely to blame on delivery repetition. He can throw it inside to righties, and this makes his average fastball a bit more dangerous. The fastball also isn't straight, as it has some tail and perhaps a little cut.
His change is without a ton of movement but has good speed differential and a little bit of drop. It is his favorite pitch against lefties.
He also has a curve that breaks away from right-handed hitters. He threw both for strikes, but also had the tendency to hang them. At this level, I would rather this be the case than the absolute inability to throw it for strikes. So even though his fastball is mediocre to average, he does have two off-speed pitches that he can command and throw for strikes.
Micah Johnson was the White Sox 9th round pick in 2012. He is a left-handed hitter that plays 2nd base. When I watched him, he really struggled with breaking pitches. He had a very mediocre career at the University of Indiana, and was actually horrible in his final year. In the Pioneer League, he stole 19 bases (caught 6 times, and had a speed score of 7.7, meaning he is pretty fast). With the bat, his strikeout rate was a little high (just over 23%, something you would expect if he is struggling with breaking pitches), but had a good walk rate (13.5%) and hit about league average overall (108 wRC +)
Justin Jirschele was an undrafted free agent, and didn't hit real well and seems to have no power. However, he had a nice K/BB and he seems to play a solid 2nd base (he plays shortstop as well, but I just him play 2nd). Left-handed hitter with average to below average speed (I clocked him at 4.23 to first).
Brandon Brennan was a 4th round pick by the White Sox out of community college. He is a RHP with a pretty clean delivery, although perhaps a rather unorthodox arm action. He has a 91-93 MPH fastball that he can tail glove side
with a pretty hard sweeping slider. He doesn't have good control of the slider but it is probably his best pitch. It looks like he has a change as well, but it doesn't have great movement. Overall, he can move the ball from his arm side to his glove side with okay to average command. He doesn't have great velocity, but it is adequate.You can see why he was a 4th round pick. There is some talent and projection there, but he isn't going to be great.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Times to First: Part 12
1. Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): 4.31
2. Matt Mcbride (Rockies): 4.55
3. Ben McMahan (Brewers A): 4.16
4. Zach Vincej (Reds Rookie): 4.26
5. Ethan Chapman (Royals Rookie): 4.19
6. Adalberto Mondesi (Royals Rookie): 4.10
7. Brent Tanner (White Sox Rookie): 4.34
8. Yoandy Barroso (White Sox Rookie): 4.37
9. Rainier Bello (Royals Rookie): 4.26
10. Diego Goris (Royals Rookie): 4.18
11. Daniel Nava (Red Sox): 4.43
12. Pedro Ciriaco (Red Sox): 4.01
13. Ryan Roberts (Rays): 4.28
14. Ryan Flaherty (Orioles): 4.27
15. Darwin Barney (Cubs): 4.17
16. Casey Kotchman (Indians): 4.62
17. Orlando Hudson (White Sox): 4.24
18. Cody Ross (Red Sox): 4.34
19. Jose Reyes (Marlins): 10.93 (on a triple)
20. Drew Stubbs (Reds): 4.14
So here are the times we have in total:
My own draft: Updated (1)
You may remember that after the draft, I did my own little fantasy draft. This is the first update on how they are doing (I only plan on doing this at the end of each season until whenever I quit doing it basically). The minor league statistics mean nothing, I want to see what they will do in the Majors (and compare them to other drafts), but it does give us an update and allows us to weed out the guys that didn't sign.
Mike Zunino: 133 PAs in A-: 161 wOBA +, 249 OPS +. 57 PAs in AA: 128 wOBA +, 173 OPS +
J.T. Chargios: 16 innings in APP ROK: 1.69 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 1.32 SIERA
Alex Yarbrough: 257 PA in A: 103 wOBA + and 106 OPS +, 18 PA in AA: 38 wOBA +, -23 OPS +
Steven Okert: 2 IP in AZL ROK: 0.00 ERA, -1.30 FIP, -.11 SIERA. 26.2 IP in NOR A-: 2.36 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 3.84 SIERA
Preston Beck: NOR A-: 275 PA 99 wOBA +, 98 OPS +
Jordan John: 3 innings in GCL ROK: 0.00 ERA, 1.58 FIP, .98 SIERA
Preston Tucker: 187 PAs in A-: 130 wOBA +, 168 OPS +
Josh Ludy: 126 PAs in A: 110 wOBA+, 119 OPS +
Jamodrick McGruder: 297 PAs in A-: 98 wOBA +, 85 OPS +
Joel Hutter: 268 PAs in A-: 98 wOBA +, 94 OPS +
Logan Vick: 86 PAs in A-: 86 wOBA +, 58 OPS +
Nolan Fontana: 220 PAs in A: 121 wOBA +, 124 OPS +
Devon Travis: 107 PAs in A-: .793 OPS, 137 wRC +
Austin Elkins: 295 PAs in A-: 112 wOBA +, 125 OPS +
Nate Koneski: 19.1 IP in APP ROK: 3.26 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 1.78 SIERA
Jacob House: 150 PAs in A-: 104 wOBA +, 109 OPS +
Kevin Allen: 28.1 IP in PIO ROK: 4.76 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 3.53 SIERA
Jake Davies: 78 PAs in GCL: 121 wOBA +, 143 OPS +. 134 PAs in A -: 92 wOBA +, 85 OPS +
Lucas Herbst: 151 PAs in A-: 99 wOBA +, 105 OPS +. 47 PAs in A: 67 wOBA +, 34 OPS +
Chris Capper: 43 IP in PIO ROK: 3.98 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 3.22 SIERA
Phillip Pohl: 128 PAs in AZL: 115 wOBA +, 131 OPS +. 12 PAs in A-: 108 wOBA +, 71 OPS +
Hunter Bailey: 84 PAs in GCL: 103 wOBA +, 106 OPS +
Kyle Wren: 129 PAs in ROK: 95 wOBA +, 82 OPS +. 10 PAs in A: 127 wOBA +, 155 OPS +
Austin Hall: 32.7 IP in AZL: 4.41 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 4.00 SIERA
Tyler Hanover: 17 PAs in GCL: 172 wOBA +, 281 OPS +
Eric Erickson: 9.1 IP in A-: 3.86 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 3.28 SIERA
Ken Hatcher: 20.1 IP in AZL: 6.64 FIP, 2.66 FIP, 3.66 SIERA
Pat Stover: 205 PAs in ROK: 92 wOBA +, 79 OPS +
Benny Suarez: 19.1 IP in AZL: 4.19 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 4.13 SIERA. 3.2 IP in A+: 2.45 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 5.50 SIERA
Jason Coats: Was injured as a senior (so he didn't go back to school), but I don't believe he signed. If my understanding is right, he has until next year's draft to sign with the White Sox. If he doesn't, he is a free agent. For the purposes of this, if he signs with the White Sox, I will consider him part of the group moving forward, but if he ends up signing with someone else, I will place him with the others that did not sign.
Jerad Grundy: Did not sign (stayed at Kentucky)
Michael Reynolds:Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Buck Farmer: Did not sign (stayed at Georgia Tech)
Cameron Cox: Did not sign (went to University of Texas)
Jacob Stone: Did not sign (stayed at Weatherford)
Raph Rhymes: Did not sign (stayed at LSU)
Michael Yastremski: Did not sign (stayed at Vanderbilt)
Kyle Martin: Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Rafael Pineda: Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Kyle Farmer: Did not sign (stayed at Georgia)
The big thing I noticed was that I was victimized by guys not signing. It looks like I had 11 picks that did not sign. That seems like a lot. For comaprison, the Angels had 7 guys not sign in the 2011 draft, and the Mariners had just 4 guys out of the top 35 rounds (by my count) not sign. I am interested in seeing how quick some of these guys move.
Mike Zunino: 133 PAs in A-: 161 wOBA +, 249 OPS +. 57 PAs in AA: 128 wOBA +, 173 OPS +
J.T. Chargios: 16 innings in APP ROK: 1.69 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 1.32 SIERA
Alex Yarbrough: 257 PA in A: 103 wOBA + and 106 OPS +, 18 PA in AA: 38 wOBA +, -23 OPS +
Steven Okert: 2 IP in AZL ROK: 0.00 ERA, -1.30 FIP, -.11 SIERA. 26.2 IP in NOR A-: 2.36 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 3.84 SIERA
Preston Beck: NOR A-: 275 PA 99 wOBA +, 98 OPS +
Jordan John: 3 innings in GCL ROK: 0.00 ERA, 1.58 FIP, .98 SIERA
Preston Tucker: 187 PAs in A-: 130 wOBA +, 168 OPS +
Josh Ludy: 126 PAs in A: 110 wOBA+, 119 OPS +
Jamodrick McGruder: 297 PAs in A-: 98 wOBA +, 85 OPS +
Joel Hutter: 268 PAs in A-: 98 wOBA +, 94 OPS +
Logan Vick: 86 PAs in A-: 86 wOBA +, 58 OPS +
Nolan Fontana: 220 PAs in A: 121 wOBA +, 124 OPS +
Devon Travis: 107 PAs in A-: .793 OPS, 137 wRC +
Austin Elkins: 295 PAs in A-: 112 wOBA +, 125 OPS +
Nate Koneski: 19.1 IP in APP ROK: 3.26 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 1.78 SIERA
Jacob House: 150 PAs in A-: 104 wOBA +, 109 OPS +
Kevin Allen: 28.1 IP in PIO ROK: 4.76 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 3.53 SIERA
Jake Davies: 78 PAs in GCL: 121 wOBA +, 143 OPS +. 134 PAs in A -: 92 wOBA +, 85 OPS +
Lucas Herbst: 151 PAs in A-: 99 wOBA +, 105 OPS +. 47 PAs in A: 67 wOBA +, 34 OPS +
Chris Capper: 43 IP in PIO ROK: 3.98 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 3.22 SIERA
Phillip Pohl: 128 PAs in AZL: 115 wOBA +, 131 OPS +. 12 PAs in A-: 108 wOBA +, 71 OPS +
Hunter Bailey: 84 PAs in GCL: 103 wOBA +, 106 OPS +
Kyle Wren: 129 PAs in ROK: 95 wOBA +, 82 OPS +. 10 PAs in A: 127 wOBA +, 155 OPS +
Austin Hall: 32.7 IP in AZL: 4.41 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 4.00 SIERA
Tyler Hanover: 17 PAs in GCL: 172 wOBA +, 281 OPS +
Eric Erickson: 9.1 IP in A-: 3.86 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 3.28 SIERA
Ken Hatcher: 20.1 IP in AZL: 6.64 FIP, 2.66 FIP, 3.66 SIERA
Pat Stover: 205 PAs in ROK: 92 wOBA +, 79 OPS +
Benny Suarez: 19.1 IP in AZL: 4.19 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 4.13 SIERA. 3.2 IP in A+: 2.45 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 5.50 SIERA
Jason Coats: Was injured as a senior (so he didn't go back to school), but I don't believe he signed. If my understanding is right, he has until next year's draft to sign with the White Sox. If he doesn't, he is a free agent. For the purposes of this, if he signs with the White Sox, I will consider him part of the group moving forward, but if he ends up signing with someone else, I will place him with the others that did not sign.
Jerad Grundy: Did not sign (stayed at Kentucky)
Michael Reynolds:Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Buck Farmer: Did not sign (stayed at Georgia Tech)
Cameron Cox: Did not sign (went to University of Texas)
Jacob Stone: Did not sign (stayed at Weatherford)
Raph Rhymes: Did not sign (stayed at LSU)
Michael Yastremski: Did not sign (stayed at Vanderbilt)
Kyle Martin: Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Rafael Pineda: Did not sign (stayed at Texas A&M)
Kyle Farmer: Did not sign (stayed at Georgia)
The big thing I noticed was that I was victimized by guys not signing. It looks like I had 11 picks that did not sign. That seems like a lot. For comaprison, the Angels had 7 guys not sign in the 2011 draft, and the Mariners had just 4 guys out of the top 35 rounds (by my count) not sign. I am interested in seeing how quick some of these guys move.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Times to first: Part 11
1. Paul Goldschmidt (Diamondbacks): 4.23
2. Matt Carpenter (Cardinals): 4.13
3. Jared Hoying (Rangers AA): 4.06
4. Matt Dominguez (Astros): 4.37
5. Jordy Mercer (Pirates): 4.26
6. Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays): 4.09
7. Yeonis Cespedes (Athletics): 11.14 (on a triple)
8. Martin Prado (Braves): 11.67 (on a triple)
9. Torii Hunter (Angels): 4.21
10. Martin Maldonado (Brewers): 4.68
11. Kole Calhoun (Angels): 4.44
12. Alberto Callaspo (Angels): 4.37
13. Josh Hamilton (Rangers): 4.09
14. Mauro Gomez (Red Sox): 8.38 (on a double)
15. Darin Ruf (Phillies): 12.68 (on a triple)
16. Dave Sappelt (Cubs): 4.12
17. Fernando Martinez (Astros): 11.31 (1st to home)
18. Alfonso Soriano (Cubs): 4.55
19. Luis Valbuena (Cubs): 4.42
20. Coco Crisp (Athletics): 3.99
Here are the updated times:
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