Reds Looking at Runelvys Hernandez

[hippie07]

Astros Close On Runelvys Hernandez
Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are close to a one-year deal with starter Runelvys Hernandez. Hernandez will turn 30 in April. He spent 2007 in Triple A with the Pirates, Yankees, and Red Sox organizations.

None of this seems terribly interesting, but the article also says Hernandez got on a strict training regimen. Now that he's in shape, he's reportedly hitting 97 on the gun (sounds like agent-speak to me). I'll believe it when I see it. But Hernandez chose the right team in the Astros, as they're hurting for starting pitching. It's not a done deal yet; he's having some last minute discussions with other clubs. McTaggart says the Rangers, Pirates, Phillies, and Reds have all shown interest.

[RedlegJake]

Lacked motivation, always out of shape and was a constant underachiever with KC -unles he's had a major change of character, no thanks.

[reds44]

You can never have too many arms?

[flyer85]

it was never about his stuff, it was about his attitude and work habits

[mth123]

it was never about his stuff, it was about his attitude and work habits

No kidding. In one of his best starts he got into a fist fight with his catcher IIRC.

[klw]

Easier to look at him than to look around him.

[Spitball]

No kidding. In one of his best starts he got into a fist fight with his catcher IIRC.

Yep, he fought with Buck between innings against Cleveland. I believe it was about pitch selection...but it may have been about goofy names.

[Matt700wlw]

it was never about his stuff, it was about his attitude and work habits

Kyle Lohse?

[Spitball]

Now that he's in shape, he's reportedly hitting 97 on the gun...

Whoa! I missed this one first time I read it! I agree with you, Hippie, there is absolutely no possible way this guy has added six or seven MPH to his fastball. This is just an agent's hyperbole.

He was never a power pitcher.

[lollipopcurve]

Runelvys had good stuff. Here's a cheap option with upside, for folks insisting that's the way to go.

[hippie07]

Whoa! I missed this one first time I read it! I agree with you, Hippie, there is absolutely no possible way this guy has added six or seven MPH to his fastball. This is just an agent's hyperbole.

He was never a power pitcher.

Spitball, I just copied that quote from mlbtraderumors ... sorry for the confusion

I do think that if this guy is pitching in the 90's and we could sign him to a minor league deal... he'd be a guy worth taking a risk on... like someone said, low risk guy w/ upside.

[RedlegJake]

Mid 90s would not surprise me if he is healthy. He used to hit that with KC when he came up. He didn't lack velocity. He just lacked gray matter.

If he was really cheap -say a minor league deal- then I'd say why not?

[Spitball]

Mid 90s would not surprise me if he is healthy. He used to hit that with KC when he came up. He didn't lack velocity. He just lacked gray matter.

The guy wasn't exactly a soft tosser, but he wasn't a hard thrower either. He pitched in the low nineties at his very best. He certainly has never been a strikeout pitcher at the major league level.

[camisadelgolf]

Runelvys Hernandez would be lucky to have more Ks than BBs at GABP. Actually, come to think of it, he'd be lucky to have more Ks than HRAs at GABP.

[edabbs44]

Astros signed RHP Runelvys Hernandez and outfielder Nick Gorneault to minor league contracts.

Hernandez went 1-7 with a 4.35 ERA in 17 Triple-A starts last year. The fastball is still there for him to potentially remeerge as a useful pitcher, but that's about the only thing he has working in his favor at this point. Gorneault figures to join Victor Diaz in the outfield at Triple-A Round Rock.