[Rotoworld] Carlos Hernandez to resign with the Astros

Awesome! If the velocity truly is there, that was all Hernandez lacked. IIRC, back in '01 his poise and his "knowing how to pitch" (iow not trying to blow away every hitter) were markedly superb for such a young guy.

Here's for the best for 'Los and for los Astros!

 

The Astros have been saying for years that his velocity is coming back. It hasn't happen yet and likely won't ever.

 

Yeah, that this report doesn't make mention of any actual velocity (ie 92 mph), makes me think this is just bogus rumors. When I see that Carlos is approaching 95 on his FB again, then I'll start to get my hopes up. As it is, I seriously doubt he makes the rotation this coming season.

 

What they forgot to mention is that his stats in the VWL, his strikouts are very low and his walks are high. I don't know the exact numbers but I read it some where it wasn't impressive. If his velocity is back, his strikeouts should also.

 

But if his control is a little wild, it may be *because* of some velocity he hasn't had in a while and learning all over again to control it.

I thought I read somewhere that they'd clocked him at 92 or 93 earlier this fall, but I can't provide you a link so take it with a grain (or a tablespoon) of salt.

 

Link?

 

I think he hit anywhere close to 93, some MLB team would have signed him a long time ago to a guaranteed contract. He wouldn't have to sign a minor league contract.

 

Well, at least he's promising compared to the other numbnuts on that list.

I hope they get a proven 4th starter from FA to compete.

 

^Thanks

 

Most of last year at AAA Carlos Hernandez's FB was hitting mid 80s and was getting used. IIRC CH for a month (in August?) was hitting 89-90 again and was effective. IIRC2 CH shortly thereafter got hurt and missed the rest of the season.

 

In case anybody missed it, this was mentioned in another story about Bagwell going to see the uber-orthapedist Dr. James Andrews to consult on rehabing his shoulder. It at least gives a plausible reason why one might have hope that the velocity might be coming back so long after the surgery.

One of the main reasons that most pitchers don't do much upper body weight lifting is that velocity usually goes down as the muscles grow and tighten in the shoulder. There was a reliever who pitched for the Cardinals named John Frascatore that the team had to keep from hitting the weights in the minors because he lost 10 or so MPH after he started.

[rquoter]
HOUSTON -- Jeff Bagwell is likely headed for Birmingham, Ala., next week to be examined by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

According to general manager Tim Purpura, this meeting is not a cause for alarm -- it's simply a chance for Bagwell and the club to receive an objective opinion about the first baseman's progress as he continues rehabbing his right shoulder, which was surgically repaired last June.

"The player has an idea how he feels, and the doctors tell us their feedback," said Purpura. "This is the only objective way you can measure things like arm speed and different angles on his arm. It should be interesting to hear what Dr. Andrews has to say."

Andrews uses an intricate throwing lab that has helped pitchers who are recovering from surgery detect flaws in their delivery. Last May, Andrews helped the oft-injured Carlos Hernandez by recommending exercises that loosened the left-hander's shoulder.


Andrews uses an intricate throwing lab that has helped pitchers who are recovering from surgery detect flaws in their delivery. Last May, Andrews helped the oft-injured Carlos Hernandez by recommending exercises that loosened the left-hander's shoulder.

Though a position player's throwing abilities aren't scrutinized as closely as those of a pitcher, Andrews may have some fresh ideas as Bagwell works to be able to throw 90 feet across the diamond.

[/rquoter]

 

I really liked the guy when he first came up. Always gotta put some hope in a young lefty. I hope he's got that same stuff he had before hurting himself trying to run the bases.

 

Velocity is overated. I would rather have a 85mph fastball with good movement, and good location, than a 105mph fastball, straight, and have no idea where its going. The latter usually ends up as moonshots.

 

The latter doesn't usually happen at all. But I know what you mean. The fact is, Carlos was infinitely more successful when his FB was hitting 95 than after his injury when it was at 88-90. He had some decent games and many would attribute it to him "learning how to pitch." I don't buy that. His FB never had all that much movement, but he located it well. I don't think that slowing it down is going to add much movement to it unless he changes his throwing motion in some way. Or maybe I'm not fully understanding how pitching works.

 

I'm afraid that Carlos is never gonna get back to where he was. I hope I'm wrong, but each year he seems to have no or very little progress.

 

Nope, just part of the equation. Velocity, location, movement.

There are hundreds of HS, college and minor league pitchers that can locate with movement but top out at 80-85 MPH. There are literally about 5 guys in the majors who are successful doing that. Why? Perfection is required on just about every pitch...their margin for error is non-existant.