Remember This Guy?

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 26, 2008 1:02 PM EDT

Hat tip to Sternfan for bringing this to my attention.

Another former Astro under Gerry Hunsicker is now in the Rays minor league system. First it was Hector Gimenez who is attempting to find his once promising days sidelined by injuries and now....Carlos Hernandez. You may recall Hernandez season with the Astros in 2001 when he made 21 starts and threw over 100 innings. Well apparently the southpaw has had some shoulder issues, and after missing 2007 signed with the Rays. He's thrown 20 dominating innings for Vero Beach and as a 28 year old may find himself with Montgomery or Durham to begin next season.

I'm not going to expect him to ever reach the majors with us, but I found it interesting none the less.

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Thanks for the credit

sometimes i don’t think Hunsicker ever gets his just due for his input

your thoughts on this?

by sternfan1 on Aug 26, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

do we know exactly the degree to which he is involved?

i only hear friedman’s name.

by stpetelawyer on Aug 26, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

he's a true baseball guy, who built the Astros of WS vintage

I think Andrew is more the quantitive guy and Gerry the guy who sees the intangibles more

by sternfan1 on Aug 26, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

So you're saying that pairing a world class scout with a proven quant analysis guy is smart?

Umm yeah I can dig it. Another reason to love our Front Office

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 26, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Tooting my own horn

TR: What is your relationship with Gerry Hunsicker like?

AF: Gerry’s insight and leadership here have been outstanding. His guidance has been invaluable in many areas and some that have yet to really bear fruit, such as our international program. We have different perspectives and good debate on a lot of issues and he’s brought a lot to our mix here and to me personally as well.

Just to even out the self promotion visit 9=8.com or whatever.

www.outsperswing.com

by Tommy Rancel on Aug 26, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Hunsicker and Hernandez

Think of Hunsicker as World B Friedman’s baseball guru. Hunsicker is very much involved and personnel decisions are usually a group decision involving Hunsicker, Friedman and others.

As for Hernandez…he has already won the FSL pitcher of the week award once, which is not bad considering he hadn’t pitched since ’06.

As for where he will be next season. This is a guy that does not need to learn how to pitch to double-A and triple-A guys. He has already done that. being in Vero Beach is basically an unofficial rehab stint.

right now it is simply a matter of arm strength, endurance and command of his pitches. He only has 2 walks (17Ks) in 20+ innings, so command seems to be there. if the arm strength comes back (7 innings last start), we will see him in spring training with the big boys

by The Professor on Aug 26, 2008 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Sure, he might be in camp.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t see Durham and/or Montgomery next season.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 26, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

This assumes he resigns in the offseason

I don’t see a reason why he wouldn’t, since Hunsicker is the guy giving him this third chance, but I believe he can declare free agency.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Aug 26, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yep

The Astros former top prospect….Yep…THAT Carlos Hernandez

by The Professor on Aug 26, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Now we need Jeriome Robertson.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 26, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think just as important as his numbers...

Is what his stuff is like at this point. Is his stuff good, or is he simply pitching well against lower competition?

by td32 on Aug 26, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

We can assume his stuff is at least AA level. Whether that's high or low is to be seen.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 26, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I meant velocity-wise

by td32 on Aug 26, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Carlos

I wouldn’t be suprised if he made the big club out of Spring. He could be a LOOGY at the very least, it all depends on his health and how our roster shakes out from now until then. I’m rooting for him to make it back!

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Aug 26, 2008 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

We're going to have a LOT of players trying to make the big club next spring

Awesomeness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 26, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions