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Texas Rangers top 10 prospects for 2019

By Benjamin Chase

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 03: Willie Calhoun #5 of the Texas Rangers hits in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 3, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 03: Willie Calhoun #5 of the Texas Rangers hits in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 3, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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10. Jonathan Hernandez, RHP

Birthday: 7/6/1996 (22)
Acquired: International Free Agent, January 2013
Level(s): high-A Down East, AA Frisco
Statistics: 8-6, 22 GS, 121 1/3 IP, 3.63 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 10.7% BB, 27% K

Long-armed and long-legged, though he’s only 6’2″, Jonathan Hernandez seemingly passed through the international market as a rare case where he was born in the United States in Memphis, but he moved to the Dominican and established residency to be signed as an international free agent at 16.

Hernandez has taken time to work his way up the system, spending two years in the DSL before coming stateside in 2015. He had a solid showing in 2017, but nothing like the impressive work he did in 2018 at high-A Down East, where he opened the 2018 season with a 2.20 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over the first 10 starts of his season, tossing 57 1/3 innings with a 17/77 BB/K ratio. After a rough beginning at AA, Hernandez settled in to finish that level on a hot streak.

Using a mid-90s fastball that can reach 99, Hernandez sets up hitters with tremendous spin and extension on his heater. The impressive movement that he gets on the pitch is a blessing and a curse at the same time, as he can see the pitch dance out of the zone if he’s off even a little in his mechanics.

Hernandez’s primary secondary pitch is a plus slider that generates plenty of swing and miss diving away from right-handed hitters. He saw significant strides in his change in 2018, though it’s still only flashing average. He also uses a curve rarely, but the velocity difference keeps hitters honest.

With his long limbs, Hernandez can get loose in his delivery and lose the zone, struggling more with control than command at those moments. When he’s right, he really orchestrates the ball exactly where he wants it throughout the zone on all of his pitches.

Taking a bit of time to adjust at each level leaves Hernandez turning 23 this season with just a half-season in the upper minors. He’ll likely open back at AA, and there’s definitely reliever risk with Hernandez, but if he can show well in 2019 as well and get a September look, he could make an impact in 2020.

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