When Alex Presley was sent down by the Pirates on May 16, Pirates fans knew that the teams would have to call somebody else up as Nate McLouth couldn’t be counted on to play everyday. While many thought it would be the top prospect in Triple-A Starling Marte, the Pirates brass threw what many saw as a Barry Zito 2002 type curveball by bringing up Gorkys Hernandez instead.
Hernandez started his career with the Detroit Tigers organization before being dealt to the Atlanta Braves along with Jair Jurrjens for Edgar Renteria. While with Atlanta, Hernandez was named as the No. 5 prospect in the Braves organization. Although he no longer had his untouchable status that he had when he arrived to Atlanta, Hernandez was still a top prospect in the Braves system when the Pirates acquired him. On June 3, 2009 the Pirates sent All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth to the Braves for Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke and Hernandez.
Hernandez showcased great defense in Altoona in 2009 and 2010, but there were concerns around his lackluster offense. In 2011 and the first two months of this season, Hernandez has played well enough in Triple-A that the Pirates called him up on Friday night for his first trip to the big leagues.
“I was sleeping and the manager called me like ‘Hey, you ready?’ and I said ‘Ready for what?'” Hernandez said. “He told me that I’m going to the big leagues and I was really excited. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
Despite it being 2:30 a.m., Hernandez said he made one more phone call before going back to sleep.
“After my manger called me, I called my wife,” Hernandez said. “I told her I’m going to the big leagues and it’s pretty awesome. I picked my wife up last night from the airport so she can watch us this week.”
With the demotion of Presley, it looked like Hernandez may get a chance to play right away. Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said that last night would have been a perfect time for Hernandez to start, except one person was standing in the way.
“Yesterday would have been a good fit, but (Josh) Harrison is swinging a hot bat,” Hurdle said. “We wanted to bring somebody in that would allow us to free up Harrison and move him up higher. Gorkys gives us that ability.”
Despite not starting, Hernandez made his Major League debut last night against one of his idols Johan Santana and the Mets. Despite working the count to 3-1, Hernandez didn’t capitalize in his debut.
“I was trying to focus to do the job,” Hernandez said. “I respect Johan Santana a lot and he’s the best pitcher from Venezuela. I tried to look for one pitch and I got it and missed it. After that I got a little excited and ended up striking out.”
Hernandez said that he had a good at bat against the former Cy Young winner and despite it being his debut, he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be.
“I wasn’t nervous,” Hernandez said. “I was really focused to go and play to demonstrate how Gorkys Hernandez plays. I wouldn’t say nervous, but more excited to do the job and show everybody who Gorkys Hernandez is.”
Hurdle is high on Hernandez and while he may not play everyday, he said he does have him in his plans.
“Gorkys is in the best place he’s been as far as swinging the bat at Triple-A,” Hurdle said. “We’re going to get him involved here when there’s the right fit. It could be stealing a base late, running the bases late, hitting for one of our catchers or defending in the outfield.”
Hernandez is used to playing everyday in the minors, but said he is willing to do whatever he has to to help the team.
“Clint (Hurdle) told me I won’t always be in the lineup, but I have to ready for the opportunity to pinch-hit or be ready for however he needs me,” Hernandez said. “That’s what I’m doing and I’m excited for it.”
His teammates in Indianapolis Jared Hughes and Josh Harrison both have seen the work Hernandez has put in and know the contributions that he can bring to the team.
“I’ve played against and with Gorkys since 2008,” Hughes said. “What he brings to the team is hustle, incredible talent and a passion for the game. Having him in the outfield is a blast. We obviously have some fast outfielders and he’s just another one of them that will track down anything. He’s a deer out there.”
As for Harrison, he looks for him to add some speed to the lineup.
“Playing with him the past two years, he’s a guy that brings speed and good defense to the team,” Harrison said. “He’s a guy on the team that will get on base whether it’s by bunt or a hit.”
Even more than his offense, Harrison especially likes to watch him play in the outfield and thinks that will be his biggest contribution.
“He’s got one of the better arms in the outfield that I’ve seen,” Harrison said. “He’s a player that I like to watch. He’s a guy that makes some pretty good plays out there. He doesn’t look like he runs fast but he glides – like strides. It’s probably because I have small legs that my legs move a little faster, but he’s going to bring a dynamic and some speed to the team.”
While Hernandez is excited about getting the call up, he knows he will have to work hard in order to stay up in what he called “The beautiful city of Pittsburgh.”
“I’m going to try to do my job,” Hernandez said. “I’m going to try to demonstrate how I can play defensively and offensively to help the team.”
Photo credits: US Presswire
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