Angel in the Infield: Hernandez Has Contract Purchased

Published on September 2, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS (September 2, 2015) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were in search of an infielder with enough experience to play immediately at the Triple-A level. The Wichita Wingnuts had just the right player for that set of circumstances. On Wednesday the team sold the contract of Luis Hernandez to the Angels. He became the fifth player from the 2015 roster to have his contact purchased by a Major League organization.

Hernandez, who began the season as the every day second baseman, was currently on the inactive list and had not played in a game since August 11th.  In 67 games with Wichita, he was hitting .255 with one home run and 37 RBI. After Alberto Gonzalez had his contract purchased by the Detroit Tigers, Hernandez switched sides of the infield and payed mainly shortstop.

The 31-year old signed as an 18-year old by the Atlanta Braves in 2002. Hernandez has played in the farm system of six different Major League organizations and reached the parent club with four of them. A large majority of his more than 1200 career games have been played at shortstop, but the veteran has also spent time in both corner outfield spots and every infield position aside from first base.

The native of Quibor in Venezuela, advanced through each level of the Braves minor league system, reaching Triple-A Richmond in 2006. Following that season he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. This move paved the way for Hernandez to make his first trip to the big leagues.

After batting .242 with Double-A Bowie and .273 in nine games with Triple-A Norfolk, Hernandez made his major league debut on July 8, 2007. Filling in because of injury for 30 games, he posted five multi-hit games and his first big league homer, a two-run blast against Toronto on September 27th. Known mainly for his superb defense, Hernandez surprised many by finishing with a .290 batting average, a number almost 40 points higher than his career Minor League average. Prior to the 2008 season, the Orioles traded away star shortstop Miguel Tejada to Houston, opening the door for Hernandez to become the opening day shortstop. He held onto the job for 30 games before being sent down to Triple-A in late May.

Beginning with the offseason between 2008 and 2009, his first as a free agent, Hernandez set in motion a stretch of five years in which he journeyed to four different organizations and often shuffled between the parent club and Triple-A. He spent 2009 with Kansas City, 2010-11 with the New York Mets, 2012 in Texas, and 2013 with Cleveland. In those five years he played a combined 92 contests at the MLB level.

Hernandez is the 33rd Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization and the seventh in 2015. Below is the complete list of players who have had their contracts purchased after playing in Wichita. Hernandez will join the Angels Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City.

Wingnuts Sold to Major League Organizations

OF Dustan Mohr, 2008 - Colorado Rockies

OF Blake Gailen, 2008 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

RHP Will Savage, 2010 - Los Angeles Dodgers

RHP Ben Graham, 2010 - Washington Nationals

LHP Justin Dowdy, 2010 - Tampa Bay Rays

OF Ryan Patterson, 2011 - Arizona Diamondbacks

LHP Dustin Pease, 2011 - San Diego Padres

RHP Cephas Howard, 2011 - Texas Rangers

OF Kenny Gilbert, 2011 - Chicago White Sox

OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Cincinnati Reds

OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Philadelphia Phillies

SS Jose Martinez, 2012 - Houston Astros

LHP Nate Robertson, 2012 - Toronto Blue Jays

RHP Matt Nevarez, 2012 - Tampa Bay Rays

RHP Andrew Aizenstadt, 2012 - Philadelphia Phillies

RHP James Hoyt, 2012 - Atlanta Braves

OF David Peralta, 2012 - Arizona Diamondbacks

OF Adam Buschini, 2013 - San Diego Padres

RHP Jon Link, 2013 - Detroit Tigers

LHP Ryan Hinson, 2013 - Atlanta Braves

1B C.J. Ziegler, 2013 - Minnesota Twins

C J.T. Wise, 2014 - Texas Rangers

RHP Matt Nevarez, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates

RHP Jon Link, 2014 - Miami Marlins

RHP Chris Peacock, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates

OF Carlo Testa, 2014 - Arizona Diamondbacks

OF Jake Luce, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles

LHP Jhonathan Ramos, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles

LHP Jarret Leverett, 2015 - San Francisco Giants

SS Alberto Gonzalez, 2015 - Detroit Tigers

RHP Dakota Watts, 2015 - Texas Rangers

RHP Omar Bencomo, 2015 - Minnesota Twins

SS Luis Hernandez, 2015 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from September 2, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central