David Hernandez (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David Hernandez |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Hernandez with the Phillies in 2016
|
|||
| Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: May 13, 1985 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| May 28, 2009, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2019 season) |
|||
| Win–loss record | 38–47 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.12 | ||
| Strikeouts | 664 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
David Jose Hernandez, born on May 13, 1985, is an American professional baseball player. He is a relief pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in the Mexican League. Before this, he played for many teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These teams included the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Cincinnati Reds. He went to Cosumnes River College.
Contents
Playing Professional Baseball
Starting with the Orioles
David Hernandez is of Mexican-American descent. The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the 16th round of the 2005 MLB draft. He made his first MLB game appearance on May 28, 2009. This game was against the Detroit Tigers.
In that game, he pitched for almost six innings. He allowed five hits and four walks. He also gave up one earned run and struck out three batters. He stayed in the Orioles' starting lineup for the rest of that season. He finished with a record of 4 wins and 10 losses. His ERA (Earned Run Average) was 5.42. He pitched for over 101 innings and struck out 68 batters.
The next year, he split his time. He was sometimes a starting pitcher and sometimes a relief pitcher. He ended the season with 8 wins and 8 losses in 41 games. He pitched for over 79 innings and struck out 72 batters.
Playing for the Diamondbacks
On December 6, 2010, David was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another player, Kam Mickolio, was also part of the trade. In return, the Orioles received Mark Reynolds and John Hester.
In his first year with Arizona, Hernandez sometimes played as a closer. A closer is a pitcher who finishes the game. He recorded 11 saves that season. He played in 74 games, which was a career high for him. He struck out 77 batters in over 69 innings.
He did even better the next year. His ERA was 2.50, and he struck out 98 batters in over 68 innings. In 2013, his ERA was higher at 4.48. However, he still struck out 66 batters in over 62 innings.
David missed the entire 2014 season. He had to have Tommy John surgery, which is a common surgery for pitchers. He came back in 2015 and played in 40 games. His ERA was 4.28 that season.
Time with the Phillies
On December 9, 2015, Hernandez signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in 70 games for them. His ERA was 3.84 in over 72 innings.
Moving to Other Teams
After the Phillies, David signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in February 2017. Then, in March 2017, the Atlanta Braves signed him to another minor league contract.
On April 24, 2017, the Braves traded Hernandez to the Los Angeles Angels. He played in 38 games for the Angels. He pitched for over 36 innings, had 37 strikeouts, and a good ERA of 2.23.
Back to the Diamondbacks
On July 31, 2017, Hernandez was traded back to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This was his second time playing for them. He finished that season with 2 wins and 1 loss, and an ERA of 4.82.
Playing for the Reds
On January 30, 2018, Hernandez signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds. In his first year with the Reds, he played in 57 games. His ERA was 2.53 in 64 innings.
The next season, 2019, was tougher for him. He struggled and was released by the Reds on August 10, 2019. He had 2 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 8.02 in 47 games.
Later Career Moves
After the Reds, David signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees in August 2019. He was released a few weeks later.
In January 2020, he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. He was released in March. Then, in July 2020, he signed with the Cleveland Indians. However, he didn't play in any games that year. This was because the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was released by the Indians in September.
Playing in Mexico
After three years away from baseball, David Hernandez signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in the Mexican League on February 8, 2024.
International Baseball
David Hernandez wanted to play for Team Mexico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. But he couldn't get his paperwork ready in time. Later, after another player got hurt, Hernandez was asked to join Team USA instead.
How He Pitches
David Hernandez throws a fastball that goes about 95 miles per hour. He also throws a slider at 78 mph and a changeup at 84 mph. He is known for striking out many batters. His strikeout rate got better at every level in the minor leagues.
