MLB Names to Know: Lights-Out Relievers

David Hernandez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Who Is He?

Hernandez is a 31-year-old reliever who has been around the league for quite some time, making his major league debut in 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles and pitching multiple seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He signed with the Phillies this offseason, and many assumed that a veteran reliever with Hernandez’s track record brought in as a free agent would be anointed the closer. Instead, coming out of the spring Hernandez was not in that closer role due to a rough Spring Training.

Hernandez currently has appeared in 19 games and 20 1/3 innings with a 2.66 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Those wanting to poke holes in those numbers might cite his low average against, which sits at .197, but that number is supported by a .295 BABIP.

His strand rate, ground ball rate and home run per fly ball rate are all solid numbers, but he’s also been able to put up career high numbers in K/9 and one of the lower BB/9 ratios in his career. His K/9 sits at 13.28, and he is striking out 36.1 percent of all batters he faces, so over a third of the hitters he sees!

Hernandez’s numbers show up with support at a 2.66 ERA, but a 2.46 FIP and a 2.57 xFIP. He’s pitching like he did in 2012 before elbow problems shut down his 2013 season and led to Tommy John surgery.

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