Last Monday, the Kansas City Royals cut their spring training roster for the first time, sending a bunch of pitchers to the club’s minor league camp via minor league options and reassignments.
Hot prospects Jackson Kowar and Daniel Lynch are now working in the minor league section of the spring complex, while Scott Blewett, who is expected to make the team, will begin the season in Omaha.
Pitching prospect Carlos Hernandez, who was optioned to High A Wilmington, may have been overlooked in the original player movement.
But it’s not unexpected given that Hernandez didn’t draw much attention when he was signed as an international free agent by the Royals for $15,000 and hasn’t created much of a splash in his minor league career.
He was 1-4 (5.49 ERA) in Rookie ball in 2017, 6-5 (3.29 ERA) in A ball in 2018, and 3-5 (5.31 ERA) in Rookie and A ball last season.
Hernandez’s mediocre track record, though, does not rule him out of the KC Royals’ plans.
He is the club’s 10th best prospect, and the sixth-best pitcher, according to MLB.com’s latest Royals Top 30 list, behind notables Brady Singer, Lynch, Kowar, Kris Bubic, and Jonathan Bowlan.
In November, the team added him to its 40-man roster to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft, and that status hasn’t altered. Hernandez is built for pitching success at 6-4 and 175 pounds, with a decent mid-to-high 90s fastball.
How Much Does Carlos Hernández Make?
Carlos Hernández earns an annual average salary of $708,750.