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Diamond in the Rough
7/29/2008 
SP David Hernandez, 23 (RHP), Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) The word of the day is "opportunity". The Major League Baseball trade deadline is coming up fast and with it comes opportunity. These trades always open up spots for minor leaguers to get their chance. Already we have seen Steven Pearce finally get his full-time gig with the Pirates after the Xavier Nady deal. There will also be opportunities for prospects who may be blocked in their own system to get a better opportunity with another organization. We have witnessed that as well in the Joe Blanton to Philadelphia trade. Second baseman Adrian Cardenas, a very good fantasy prospect, was completely blocked by Chase Utley in the Phillies System. Now, in Oakland (here's that word again), opportunity is his for the making. There is also a lot of opportunity for you "dynasty" and "keeper" league (DKL) fantasy managers this time of year. Tons of fantasy GMs are throwing in the towel already and are looking to make a deal for some prospects. Prospects are huge in DKL, because you can build from the ground up, but don't overvalue them either. Don't get caught up in the hype of a player if you can get good value for them now. Take a look at Jake McGee blowing out his elbow this year. Hello "Tommy John". There just isn't any guarantee 'til they're in the bigs producing. Besides, there is a ton of talent in the minors, so if you have the opportunity to make a deal that could win your league, take it. At the very least, give it some long hard thought. If you're stuck, check out our RotoExperts forum and "Ask the Expert". David Hernandez (not the stripper from American Idol) is one of the guys I am talking about, when I mention depth in the minor leagues. Hernandez is a 16th round selection of the Orioles in 2005. He has some of the numbers I look for in fantasy pitching prospects and given the opportunity he may just surprise people. Hernandez's 10.6 K/9 rate this year is something that gets me excited. At 23 years old, he's not young for double-A, but it's not exactly old either; especially not for a pitcher. He is a flyball pitcher. A 0.64 GO/AO ratio scares me a bit and his 4.53 BB/9 is a problem. I feel he makes up for that with .213 BAA equally enforced against all hitters (.211 BAA righties, .214 BAA lefties). His K/9 rate was about the same last year and his walks are down which gives me hope his control will be better down the road. Hernandez's fastball sits in the low to mid 90's and he also has a nasty slider that gives him that nice K/9 rate. I can see him getting his opportunity at the end of this year . Making him Roto-useful (I just made up that word and trademarked it. That's called multi-tasking.) during a two start week down the stretch for some Ks. Take this opportunity to e-mail Jason Revelia about minor league fantasy prospects at
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2007 A+ (22)
7 W 11 L 4.95 ERA 28 G 27 GS 145.1 INN 139 H 86 R 80 ER 16 HR 47 BB 168 SO 0.66 GO/AO .249 BAA 2008 AA (23)
5 W 4 L 2.63 ERA 21 G 21 GS 109.1 INN 84 H 43 R 32 ER 10 HR 55 BB 129 SO 0.66 GO/AO .213 BAA
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