Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Darwinzon Hernandez left an impression in his time at big league spring training, posting a 0.82 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 11 innings. At that point, it appeared the bullpen was the major concern with the 2019 roster. Hernandez offered a heavy, mid-90s fastball — something the Red Sox rarely feature from the left side out of the pen — with a high strikeout rate, though control was an issue (eight walks and three hit batsmen).
The 22-year-old didn't make the cut and was sent to Double-A Portland. On Sunday, Hernandez made his regular season debut for the Sea Dogs against the Reading Fighting Phils as the game's starter — which he's primarily done throughout his time in the Red Sox system. Hernandez struck out 10 over five shutout innings, scattering four walks and two hits.
"We know the upside," Alex Cora told reporters on April 4. "We know what he did in the second half last year. What he did in the Fall League. The way he threw the ball in spring training. We asked him to do a few things. Obviously, as a starter it might be a little bit different than as a reliever. Like I said before, we do feel at one point this season he's going to contribute. His stuff is that good. His stuff in the strike zone plays, which is very important. "
Little scouting trip today, checking out Darwinzon Hernandez of the @RedSox making his first start for AA @PortlandSeaDogs today. This vid is the first of his three Ks in the first inning pic.twitter.com/H9Kc3kqHZb
— Justin Pelletier (@Jpell915) April 7, 2019Perhaps Hernandez's opportunity in 2019 comes in a different form than initially anticipated, given the bullpen has shown far more promise than the starting rotation in the early going.
