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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.