What Felix Hernandez brings to the Atlanta Braves
We take a look at what Felix Hernandez can bring to the Atlanta Braves and their young pitching staff during Spring Training and the 2020 season.
On Monday the Atlanta Braves took a chance on a former Cy Young winner in Felix Hernandez.
He hasn’t been near what he was in the past over the last three seasons, but it’s a low-risk kind of signing for Atlanta that really has no downside.
Minor league deal with #Braves with invitation to spring training, $1M salary if he makes the MLB roster.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) January 21, 2020
The Minor League deal gives King Felix a chance to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation in Spring Training.
Who should be the 5th starter. light. Related Story
Most of you already know the history of King Felix, but he has a career ERA of 3.42 with 2,524 strikeouts in 2,729.2 big league innings with the aforementioned Cy Young award on his belt to go along with three other top-five finishes.
But over the last three seasons, he’s made a combined 59 starts and seen his ERA go from 4.36 to 5.55 to 6.40.
Also in those past three years, his fastball velocity has dropped from 91 MPH to 89, which is a far cry from the 94 MPH he threw regularly early in his career.
As David O’Brien pointed out, Anibal Sanchez was in a similar situation when the Braves signed him. He had to figure out how to become a pitcher once his stuff wasn’t as electric anymore.
Perhaps King Felix can unlock that in Atlanta, but we’ll save that for another post.
What I want to talk about now is the effect that he can have on this young pitching staff and the clubhouse.
Despite the recent setbacks, King Felix is one of the best starting pitchers of his generation. Like Anibal when he was here, Felix will be able to provide a wealth of knowledge to the Braves young starting pitchers.
You also have to think he’ll be a big boost for fellow Venezuelan players Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ender Inciarte. They likely looked up to Felix when they were younger and now they get to play with a legend.
Everything you’ve seen and heard about Felix points to him being a great teammate.
Whether it’s related or not, since Josh Donaldson moved on to play with the Twins, the Braves have now made a pair of moves that seem to be about bringing in great clubhouse guys in Felix and Adeiny Hechavarria.
Next. 7 SP trade targets. dark
I’m not very optimistic about Felix turning it around and making the big league club, but I do love the signing and what he could bring to this team during Spring Training at the least. And who wouldn’t want to see the King’s Court at the TeePee?