2064.03 - The Long Beach Independent - Herrera Steps Up

[Lane]

TWO-WAY SURFER MAKES WAVES

June 27, 2064
Nashville, TN

Héctor Herrera had himself a day at Les Paul field against the team that drafted him 33rd overall in the 2059 amateur draft. The righty pitched 5 innings, allowing no runs and striking out 8 Bluebirds. The win was his sixth of the season, bringing his record to 6-5.

Herrera was acquired from Nashville for rental relieverHarold Nothard in what could be a rare occurrence of the (former) juggernaut Bluebirds losing a trade. Working through the Long Beach minor league system, he was determined to maintain his status as a two way player, spending time at every infield position to increase his comfort on defense and starting 75 games as a pitcher.

In a cup of coffee last year, the 24 year old righty looked over matched at the plate and on the mound. However, entering this year, he was promised a spot in the starting rotation to begin the year. His 3.72 ERA backed up by a 3.87 FIP has been a welcome surprise for the struggling Surfers.

After being asked to focus on pitching for the first two months of the season, it was decided in June that he should enter the starting lineup as a first baseman on days that he doesn't pitch. In 19 starts in June, he is hitting .329/.382/.471 with 5 doubles and 1 home run.

The 2064 season is looking to be a season of opportunity for prospects and quasi-prospects to make their case for maintaining their hold on a 40 man spot, and demonstrate that they should be part of the next Surfer team that heads to the playoffs.

[BaseClogger]

Looks like smoke and mirrors with the pitching results. I like him better as a hitter—he can even defend. And he’s still young enough to get better on both sides of the ball.

[Dington]

Hated seeing this boxscore, but when I saw him on the schedule, i figured this would happen.

[Lane]

Looks like smoke and mirrors with the pitching results. I like him better as a hitter—he can even defend. And he’s still young enough to get better on both sides of the ball.

yeah, it definitely does based on his ratings. but FIP, SIERA, BABIP all indicate otherwise. Maybe he's towards the top on all the ratings? idk

[Lane]

Hated seeing this boxscore, but when I saw him on the schedule, i figured this would happen.

I guess it's just one of those years in Nashville

[Trebro]

Looks like smoke and mirrors with the pitching results. I like him better as a hitter—he can even defend. And he’s still young enough to get better on both sides of the ball.

yeah, it definitely does based on his ratings. but FIP, SIERA, BABIP all indicate otherwise. Maybe he's towards the top on all the ratings? idk

My personal experience with his type is that they do well the fall back the next year, making me stick with them hoping for a return to the magic. I let a lot of pitchers like him go, finally. Eventually they just stop being able to do what he's doing. Should be interesting to see if that's true for him or if he's a high end of lower ratings type.