Although he enjoyed a strong finish to the 2019 season in the bullpen, Red Sox lefty Darwinzon Hernandez tells Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that he still prefers to work as a starter in the long run. The 23-year-old emphasized that being on the team, whether as a starter or reliever, is still his top priority and voiced a willingness to pitch in any role the club fits. Notably, though, Abraham suggests that while former skipper Alex Cora believed Hernandez is best-suited for a short relief role, new manager Ron Roenicke agrees with Hernandez that he should be in the mix for a starting job. “You have to consider it,” Roenicke told Abraham. “He’s still a young pitcher, and there’s a lot to work with.”
Hernandez punched out nearly 39 percent of the hitters he faced in the Majors last year (57 in 30 1/3 innings) but also issued 16 walks in that time. Control has been a longstanding issue for the big lefty, evidenced by a career 5.5 BB/9 mark in the minors. Still, the Red Sox’ rotation is anything but settled at the moment, with Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, reclamation project Martin Perez and journeyman Ryan Weber occupying the top four spots. Certainly, there’s room to take a look to see if Hernandez can finally rein in his control and work as an effective big league starter.
More from the AL East to kick off the week…
- It’s already known that the Yankees interviewed former Cy Young winner and current YES Network Analyst David Cone for their pitching coach vacancy before hiring Matt Blake last November, but Cone talked more about the interview process and another potential role that was discussed in an interview with the New Jersey Star-Ledger’s Bob Klapisch. The pitching coach talks were “more exploratory” in nature, per Cone, but the two sides discussed a role in which he’d serve as a liaison between the club’s pitchers and the analytics department — utilizing his experience as a pitcher to help bridge the gap between data from the front office and implementation in a game setting. That role didn’t come together, clearly, but it’s nevertheless interesting both in a “what might’ve been” lens in addition to looking down the line at what could yet be in store if the two sides rekindle talks.
- Orioles righty Shawn Armstrong was considered a “sure thing” to make the bullpen heading into camp, writes Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, and he did nothing to change that thinking with six shutout frames and 11 punchouts. Expanded rosters early in a potentially delayed season would only make it easier for the club to hang onto the right-hander. The 29-year-old Armstrong went from Cleveland to Seattle to Baltimore over the past couple of seasons but only this past year got a full look in the Majors. He struggled to an ERA just north of 5.00 in Baltimore but also averaged 9.9 K/9 with an overall 24.2 percent strikeout rate and elite spin on his four-seamer. His 2018 work with Seattle — 14 2/3 innings, 1.23 ERA, 15-to-3 K/BB ratio — lends some reason for optimism as well. Armstrong is out of minor league options, so the Orioles would have to run him through waivers if they wanted to send him down to Triple-A Norfolk.
Cone should be in the hall
Sorry, sexual deviants can steer clear.
I mean yea, but he was found innocent within 3 days of the accusations.
Lol at the naivety displayed here
You are without a doubt, the most annoying poster here. I let it go until now, bc it was harmless. But seriously, how ya gonna just try to spread bs out there when the subject in question was cleared so quickly?
Don’t worry about his Naivety…as much as your own douchbagety.
Eh. Cone was a very good pitcher but that’s it. I can’t honestly call him one of the greatest of all time. But hey, if Harold Baines can get in then what’s the point of a hall of fame.
Hall of Very Good. He was a very good pitcher for a long time, just not an amazing pitcher for long enough.
3.17 ERA over the course of 13 years. workhorse consistency over this period. thre strikeouts before they wer cool. successful with 4 different teams over this span. Strong postseason resume. (namedly in the World Series) maybe he’s not a slam dunk case, but i feel his case at least warrants a longer look.
He is under pretty much all of the metrics for Hall induction. He was very good. Had a decent peak. But not Hall worthy.
You forgot the perfect game
When Schilling gets in then maybe Cone.
Cone 194 – 126 with 3.46 era. Not 3.17
Schilling gets in because of his WS heroics.
I kinda wish he got the job but then we’d be stuck with Michael kay and Paul O’Neill as the only good announcers
What about Susan Wa…never mind. Laughing too much to even finish typing it.
Waldman is terrible. With the exception of the 2 clowns in Atlanta, one of the worst announcers in baseball radio.
I enjoy listening to the broadcasts of other teams….there are some great announcer teams out there, but by far the least objective are, in any order,
-Susan Waldman
-Don Sutton / Skip Carey
-the two guys in StL.
Enjoy KC, Cleveland, PIT, and when Tim Nevritt was in Boston. Scully is sorely missed.
Waldman and Sterling are the most annoying radio team there is, especially when Sterling miscalls a fly ball. That said, Walkman if not already in, belongs in the radio HOF. When FAN first started, she was a pioneer for women and damn good taking calls and help create 24 hour sports talk.
Darwinson is an interesting one. Could be a pretty serviceable starter in a couple of years if he is able to develop command. He’s got nasty stuff. Work in progress.
Many young pitchers struggle at the beginning of their MLB career. Randy Johnson led the league in walks three straight seasons.
I would like to see the Red Sox Darwinzon a chance to start. They will never develope starters if they don’t give them a chance (especially in a year when they are not expected to contend).
Michael Kay is horrible.
Truly truly horrible.
It’s too bad the Orioles returned their two Rule 5 pitchers. With expanded rosters, it would have been much easier to keep them on the roster.
Armstrong has four shutout innings and five punchouts in spring training.