Strong 2019 debut for Jonathan Hernandez

Jonathan Hernandez, Texas Rangers Minor league righthanded pitcher, made his 2019 debut tonight in Frisco, and did work against the Midland Rockhounds. In 5.2 innings of work, Hernandez struck out 7 while walking just 1, allowing 1 runs on 5 hits before giving way to Yoel Espinal.

Hernandez is on the 40 man roster and had a breakout 2018, and he’s part of a group of Rangers pitchers who could get a look in the second half of the season. Hernandez has a quality three-pitch mix, but has to show he can maintain his command consistently to stick in the rotation.

It was a strong night overall for the Rangers Minor league starters. Ariel Jurado allowed one run on 6 hits in 5 IP while fanning 5 and walking none for Nashville. Jake Latz, a lefty out of Kent State with quality stuff and a history of health issues, struck out 6 in 5 innings for Hickory, walking 1 and allowing 2 hits, And Ty Thomas, who came over from Chicago in the Jesse Chavez deal last year, struck out 3 and walked 2 while allowing 2 runs in 4 innings for Down East, in a game that also saw Emmanuel Clase fan two of the three hitters he faced in his full season debut.

Chris Seise, meanwhile, went 3 for 3 with a double and a walk for Hickory, and is now 6 for 8 on the season with 3 doubles and a triple, and Leody Taveras went 2 for 4 for Down East, putting him at 6 for 8 on the season as well. Seise missed all of 2018 due to shoulder surgery and Leody didn’t hit last year...each of them rebounding strongly in 2019 would be a huge shot in the arm for this farm system.