Converted Outfielder Leading Sharks Pitching Staff
After switching from the outfield to the pitching mound last year, Herick Hernandez found his path to the top of the rotation at Miami Dade College blocked.
Right-handers Andy Rodriguez, Matt Fernandez and Carlos Colunga had a stranglehold on the Sharks starting staff.
Rodriguez, who defected from the Cuban National Team in 2021, was the breakout star. He earned Southern Conference Player of The Year honors, boasting a 10-3 record, 121 strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA.
Hernandez, who was a center fielder at Hialeah Senior High School, was relegated to the bullpen.
The left-hander struggled to adjust; he surrendered 17 hits, walked 15 batters and allowed 13 runs in 16.1 innings of work in 10 appearances. His ERA was an inflated 7.16.
“Last year we really had good starting pitchers and I felt I wasn’t at their level yet,” Hernandez said. “I had the physical capabilities of being a starter but I didn’t have the experience.”
This summer, he dedicated himself to becoming a starter. Hernandez strengthened his arm by lifting weights and incorporating stretching exercises to prepare to pitch five to seven innings per outing. He also worked on his pitch location and command during throwing sessions.
The work paid off.
Hernandez leads the team with a 7-3 record and 76 strikeouts in 12 starts. He lowered his ERA by more than half from last year to 2.86.
“He has a really good arm and professional potential,” said Sharks Pitching Coach Bryan Morgado. “He’s definitely worked at trying to master his craft every single day and that’s why he’s getting some really good results this year.”
The 19-year-old started playing baseball with his dad when he was three years old in the backyard of his home in Hialeah. He shagged fly balls, played catch and took batting practice.
Hernandez was a four-year letterman at Hialeah Senior High School, hitting .352 with 13 RBI as a senior in 2021. His potential earned him a scholarship to Barry University. Hernandez, who was an outfielder in the preseason, switched to the bullpen by mid-fall but never played in a game.
By the spring of 2022, he transferred to MDC as a reliever. His best pitches are his curveball, slider and fastball.
“What makes me different from any other pitcher is [that] I am very disciplined and consistent,” Hernandez said. “What’s on my mind when I’m on the baseball field is making sure [that] I’m attacking the hitters and trying my best to not fall behind the count.”
That mentality has Hernandez leading the Sharks to a 24-11-1 record including three games where he has pitched in at least seven innings. In each of those starts, he only gave up one run.
“He’s [a] special guy. He works hard, he’s always laughing, he has a great personality,” said reliever Carlos Nolasco. “He’s tough, everything he throws is electric.”
The Sharks’ next game is at the Kendall Campus’ baseball field, 11011 S.W. 104th St, on April 7 versus Florida Southwestern State College at 3 p.m.
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