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February 09, 2006

Little Mr. Independents

Josh Hollingsworth
Vince Faison
Gerardo Casadiego
Chris Grossman

And, now, Ivan Hernandez:

The 2005 Northern League Champion Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club announced today that the contract of pitcher Ivan Hernandez has been sold to the New York Yankees. Hernandez will attend spring training with the Yankees in March.

Hernandez, 24, enjoyed an outstanding season in 2005 with Winnipeg, finishing second to former RailCat Quintin Oldenburg for the league's "Rookie Pitcher of the Year" award. Hernandez appeared in 43 games working strictly out of the bullpen, posting a 5-3 record with a 1.99 earned run average and two saves. He limited opposing batters to a .206 combined batting average. Hernandez struck out 54 batters in 54.1 innings while walking 24. Hernandez played college baseball at Chico State (Calif.) University.

What's with all these guys from the Independent Leagues?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at February 9, 2006 09:53 PM

Comments

It means scouts are doing their jobs...

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 12:36 AM

or maybe not.

Better drafts would offset the need to take on all of these guys who played their way out of org. ball already.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 09:35 AM

Yes and no, given the nature of baseball. It's a long way from a-ball to the show.

Also we have to take into consideration that maybe the scouts see a project, maybe the organization needs filler at the lower levels, maybe out of nowhere something "clicks" in a player.

At any rate, it's a low risk, high return investment. If they have nothing left, they get cut, if they can offer somethnig, they don't get cut.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 10:33 AM

I went to Chico, and I'm pretty sure I've seen him pitch (I think I may be confusing him with another Martinez though). If he's who I think he is, he's got decent stuff, but don't expect the next Mo Rivera.

Posted by: Mike A. [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 11:16 AM

No need to be the next Mo (though it would be nice), but if you can effectively set up for a couple of years, maybe throw a spot start here and there that'd be great

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 12:23 PM

Forget about the next Mo or setting up for a few years (people like Farsnworth and Howry get paid many, many millions to do that). These guys are nothing but minor-league filler. If you get ANYTHING out of them -- even a single IP -- it's a plus. These people would have to turn around their games extraordinarily to even be a glimmer in the Yankees' future.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 10, 2006 02:28 PM