Red Sox: Darwinzon Hernandez set for first MLB start tonight
Boston Red Sox promising young pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez is set to make his first major league start against the Rangers this evening.
Darwinzon Hernandez has been a part of the Red Sox organization since 2013. He was signed as an international free agent in August of that year and has been developing in the Sox farm system ever since. Now, at the age of 22, Darwinzon, who’s ranked as the franchises first overall pitching prospect, is on the cusp of making his big league debut – as he’s been named as the starter for tonight’s game against the Texas Rangers.
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Hernandez comes in to start for the Sox in a pivotal game. After dropping the series opener, on Monday night, the Sox have now fallen to just one game above .500. More importantly, they lie 8 games off the pace, in the division. This is a terrific opportunity for the youngster to come up and make a mark on this rotation.
With Nathan Eovaldi being sidelined for what we’ve seen of the season, the Red Sox have never found that sixth man to stay put and do the job that’s needed. Hernandez will now have an opportunity to show that he’s ready to handle this responsibility.
Any Sox fans who tuned into spring training would’ve seen and heard about the things Hernandez is capable of. His stuff features a four-seam, change-up, curve combination – a trilogy of pitches which can be lethal to any opposing batter. The lefty’s heater currently tops out at around 97MPH. While he’s still developing as a pitcher, his fastball is already an excellent pitch, and clearly his primary pitch. It has plenty of late cut on it, and will certainly be deceiving to major league hitters.
Hernandez is listed as 6’2 and 245 – a frame which is very becoming of a big league pitcher. His build is similar to Sox pitcher, Eduardo Rodriguez, although Hernandez weighs a bit more, per listed measurements. His growth, into a solid pitchers frame, in his time in the Sox’s farm system, will benefit him hugely in every opportunity he gets with the Red Sox. Now, it’s just about bringing his stuff along and learning to command it efficiently.
The 22-year-old has spent the first part of the year with Double-A affiliate, Portland Sea Dogs. Through Hernandez’s first ten games, he’s carrying an ERA of 5.13, which doesn’t reflect his true capability or his performances over the last few seasons. However, his ability to strike out batters has been shown to be as lethal as ever. He’s currently tallying 13.2 K/9. If he can keep up his velocity and flare in Boston, the Fenway Faithful will be sure to admire him.
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The Sox, who are now 34-33, will look to bring the series level, tonight, as Hernandez goes up against a Rangers line-up which has found a lot of success this season. With the Yankees and the Rays, both continuing to have a tremendous season, the Sox have to start winning series like these, especially at home. Hernandez has a great chance to show what he’s already capable of, and make a mark on this team at a very much-needed time of the year.