Does anybody know whether or not he's gonna be able to make it back? He sure looked like solid money a couple years back before his injury. What is his status in our organization?
From what I have read the take on Carlos Hernadez is that since the shoulder surgery he has lost his fastball. He tops out around 84-86, which would be ok since he is a lefty. However, he has never really learned how to "pitch" and he cant locate his other pitches. I, too remeber him coming up I was thinking to myself, "wow, we have a future lefty stud and oswalt, redding and miller. How times change..... btw I was at the game when Hernadez ripped up his shoulder trying to slide back into second against the reds.
Not so fast .......... Paper: HOUSTON CHRONICLE Date: TUE 20050823 08/23/05 Section: SPORTS Page: 5 Edition: 3 STAR Hernandez of old has been spotted / Solid progress haslefty aiming for September call-up By BRIAN McTAGGART Staff Round Rock lefthander Carlos Hernandez , who was sidelined for more than a month earlier this year because of his shoulder, has put himself into position to be among the players called up to the Astros in September. Hernandez , scheduled to start tonight for the Class AAA Express against Albuquerque, is 3 -1 with a 1.59 ERA in four August starts. He threw seven scoreless innings Thursday, allowing three hits. More importantly, Hernandez has been throwing fastballs at around 90 mph and is slowly regaining some of the velocity he lost following shoulder surgery on Feb. 4, 2003. "One outing his velocity will be up and he'll struggle with control and his changeup, but last outing he put it all together," Express manager Jackie Moore said. "It's a huge step forward for Carlos and the organization." The Astros shut down Hernandez on June 5, and he didn't return to the mound until July 18. He hit 91 mph with his fastball during a start July 28 has been around 90 for most of August. Hernandez is 5-7 with a 5.67 ERA this year. "His last two starts have been much better," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "His velocity (Thursday), he topped out at 89 (mph) and he averaged 88. His control is much better. ... He's throwing a little bit freer and easier and he's gotten a little bit more out of his arm. Certainly, if he's throwing 88, 89 from the left side he would be able to compete (in the majors)." Because he's lefthanded, is on the 40-man roster and has experience in the majors, Hernandez will get strong consideration from the Astros when rosters are expanded next week. "As a starter, he's probably our best option based on the last three starts," Purpura said. Before being injured while diving back into second base on Aug. 29, 2001 in Cincinnati, Hernandez went 7-5 with a 4.38 ERA in 21 starts for the Astros in 2002. He pitched through shoulder pain from June until Sept. 12. He missed all of the 2003 season and split time between Houston and Class AAA New Orleans last year, going 1-3 with a 6.43 ERA for the Astros and 9-4 with a 3 .60 ERA for the Zephyrs. Hernandez was a candidate for the No. 5 spot in the Astros' rotation this spring but has spent the season at Round Rock. "Every outing, especially his last outing in Nashville, he looked like the Carlos of the past," Moore said. "I'm impressed with his control. He's not quite there yet with his velocity, but his breaking ball and changeup were there. "He's come a long way in a short time that last outing. It will be very interesting to see if he can back it up his next outing. It brought back a lot of fond memories."
Yeah he is a free agent now. He can sign with any team now. I doubt he resigns with the Astros even if they want him.
he got better as the season went along at Round Rock, my dad saw him pitch and said he looked pretty good. his fastball still isn't what it was but i think the astros should sign him to a minimal deal and see what he can do over the next couple of seasons. it isn't going to be a huge investment and it could work out.
I was listening on the radio. Didn't he try to pitch the next inning and gave up a home run before they took him out?
