Two years ago while watching a Spring Training game between A-ball affiliates of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds, two scouts and myself noticed a multitude of players gathering around the backstop during a pitching change.
A right-hander came in and started lighting up the radar gun. Neither of the scouts had even heard of him. His name? Ariel Hernandez. The following year, Hernandez would make his MLB debut with Cincinnati.
He posted a 5.18 ERA in 19 games, striking out 29 but also walking 22 in 24.1 innings. That matches the mini scouting report I was given by one of the scouts in attendance during his spring appearance: 70 fastball, 70 breaking ball, 20 command.
With the Dodgers, there’s a good chance he doesn’t make the active roster in the near future. The improvement Hernandez needs to his command/control is significant, and it’s not reasonable to think he’ll magically get better.
If he does improve to where he can throw quality strikes at the Major League level, this would be a steal for the Dodgers.
Gone via the trade are first baseman/designated hitter Ibandel Isabel and right-hander Zach Neal. Isabel has prodigious power, smashing 28 homers for High-A Rancho Cucamonga last season, but offers little else and was blocked by Cody Bellinger.
Neal was signed to a Minor League contract in January. The 29-year-old made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Oakland Athletics and has pitched in 176 Minor League games.
Overall, the Dodgers gave up a depth arm and a blocked power bat for an electric yet erratic arm. This is the type of gamble a team like the Dodgers can take.
If Hernandez flames out, no harm no foul. If he succeeds, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and the front office will look like geniuses.
