2. Darwinzon Hernandez
Darwinzon Hernandez came into last season as one of Boston’s top pitching prospects. When he was called up mid-season, he did not fail to live up to the hype. Hernandez showed the ability to pile up strikeouts with his blazing fastball, striking out 57 batters in just 30 1/3 innings.
However, Hernandez did struggle with his control, something that has plagued him throughout his minor league career. The 22-year-old rookie would average just under one walk per inning, walking a total of 26 batters on the year. As a result of his lack of command, he often left pitches over the plate a bit too much, allowing batters to collect 27 hits off of him last season.
Despite a lack of command and a propensity to give up hits, Hernandez did a decent job of limiting the damage allowed to opposing batters, giving up only one home run on the year and pitching to a respectable 4.45 earned run average, despite a bloated 1.75 WHIP.
Hernandez’s numbers are a bit skewed though, as he was roughed up when he was first brought up last season and at the very end of the season when fatigue may have been a factor. In between, he was as dominant as any pitcher on the Red Sox roster and looked every bit the part of a future closer.
Boston has stated that it intends on keeping Hernandez in the bullpen next season. Perhaps he takes a major step forward with his command and takes over the closer role next year. He certainly has the stuff that would suggest he could excel as a closer in the majors. Hernandez presents the Red Sox with a young, affordable, long-term option in the closer role, something that is likely very attractive to the team.