David Hernandez has been the unsung hero in LA Angels pen

The LA Angels have had many virtually unknown players going into the season come up big so far for them. Reliever David Hernandez has been one of the best.

When the LA Angels began the season they thought they had a strong bullpen with Cam Bedrosian and Andrew Bailey both having closer experience and coming off strong 2016 campaigns. They also thought Huston Street would add even more depth when he got back in early May.

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However, as they say the best laid plans… First street had a setback that would sideline him until mid-June. Then Bailey went on the DL in the second week of the season and the Angels still have not gotten him back.  Finally Bedrosian went down in the third week of the season and suddenly that strong Angels bullpen was in shambles.

Enter Bud Norris and Blake Parker both of whom were the last two players to make the opening day roster for the Angels.  However, the Angels needed on more piece so general manager Billy Eppler went out and found reliever David Hernandez languishing away in the Atlanta bullpen without a defined roll.

Eppler swung a deal for Hernandez and the Angels had a set-up man also with closer experience to complement Norris. The best thing about it is the Angels got Hernandez for cash considerations and a player to be named later, a small proven to pay for what Hernandez has done for the Angels.

After not pitching for the first three weeks of the season for the Braves suddenly Hernandez was being called upon four to five times a week and he delivered in a big way.

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In Hernandez’s first 11 appearances with the Angels he pitched 10.1 innings allowing only one run while posting a 0.87 ERA with 0 walks and nine strikeouts.  His WHIP waa a minuscule 0.48 and opponents were hitting .156 against him.

Since Hernandez has continued to pitch well and appearing in 28 games and he currently has a 2.10 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP in 25.2 innings.  Hernandez has stuck out 29 batters while only walking five and even got a save against the New York Yankees on June 16th.

Hernandez is still relatively unknown by the novice Angel fans, but to the his teammates and manager Mike Scioscia he has been an unsung hero that has solidified the eighth inning for the team.  Hernandez has been one of the key contributors in an Angels bullpen that has quietly been one of the best in baseball (3rd in bullpen ERA in the majors).

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Keep up the good work Mr. Hernandez the Angels are lucky to have you.