A Fan’s View

An inside look at Jakob Hernandez, a lefty-reliever, who is in the Phillies minor league mini-camp at Carpenter Complex.

By Steve Potter

24-year old born in Parker, CO . . . 21st round draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington . . . 6-foot-4, 260 pounds.

Jakob was stellar in 2019 for Reading … posted a 5–1 record with a 1.68 ERA in 47 games (69.2 IP) with 73 K’s … pitched shutout baseball in 38 of his 47 appearances.

Throughout his career he’s been a multi-inning reliever … he’s pitched more than one frame in 53 of his 99 appearances … 51 of 90 since moving to full season play in 2018. Jakob has a career 9–4 record with a 2.20 ERA in 151.1 IP with 198 K’s and 58 walks.

He uses a straight overhand curve and slider as put away pitches; couples those with a low 90’s (90–93 range) velocity fast ball. We first saw him pitch in the 2017 Gulf Coast League where he dominated with his “fall off the table” looping action curve ball … reminded me of when I faced Chris Short way back in the day … Wilmington Semi Pro League and he buckled my knees with his nasty hook 🥴.

While he’s still got the classic straight over the top delivery there have seemingly been some slight tweaks in release point and in recent years, we’ve seen more sliders than curves from him. It’s got a unique cross breaking action … normal side to side slider movement but with a curve like downward tilt … very effective pitch.

Jakob’s unique delivery and movement on his pitches has served him well to date in his brief career, he’s earned the invitation to this year’s camp. Another young man we hope will continue to shine with the brighter spotlight upon him.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

(Steve Potter began publishing Phillies Minor League Digest in 2016. Current edition — Life In The Minors — features the history of 115 Phillies minor league teams since there was no minor league baseball in 2020. Book now available on amazon.com in both color and black and white).