Most of the attention surrounding Frederick Keys pitchers in Baltimore this year has gone to local natives Brandon Erbe (McDonogh) and Chorye Spoone (CCBC-Catonsville/Northeast). But another less-heralded Keys pitcher could start stealing some of the limelight soon.
Right-hander David Hernandez entered the week leading the Single-A Carolina League with 69 strikeouts. Overall, he is 4-4 with a 4.55 ERA and 24 walks in a team-high 65.1 innings. A 16th-round selection in 2005, he is in his first year at Frederick after going 7-8 with a 4.15 ERA and a team-high 154 strikeouts in 145.1 innings for low Single-A Delmarva last year.
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Hernandez, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound Miami native, said having the ability to go deep into games is something that he is constantly trying to improve on even as he moved up a level within the minor leagues this season.
“Trying to finish every game is something that I pride myself on to not only help our bullpen, but keep our team in a position to win,” Hernandez said. “Every jump is different, but as you move up, the hitters get better and you have to recognize that and make better pitches.”
One thing Hernandez must minimize is his periodic bouts of wildness. Last season, he threw 22 wild pitches. This year, he has four wild pitches in 13 games. Frederick first-year manager Tommy Thompson said Hernandez is becoming more poised on the mound as the season progresses.
“He’s effectively wild with his pitches,” Thompson said. “He pitches inside and has a good breaking ball, curveball and fastball that he can throw at any point in the count. He needs to throw some more strikes, but he’s learning to pitch and is holding his own jumping up from Delmarva.”
Orioles director of minor league operations David Stockstill said Hernandez, although 22 years old, came into professional ball less seasoned than Erbe, who doesn’t turn 20 until Christmas.
“David doesn’t have as much experience as Brandon and Choyre, but he’s coming along just as nicely as he adjusts to professional baseball,” Stockstill said. “He cut back on some of his wildness from last year, and now we are teaching him that he belongs in pro ball.”
