Pitching Duo and Buddies Can Help Orioles From The Pen

The Boston Red Sox have been successful when picking up talent from the International pool over the years.  I personally witnessed some good looking young arms go through the system and make it to the big leagues and become impressive. But a few have found the bigs by other channels like Denyi Reyes, who started his pro career with the Red Sox in 2015 and made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. The other, Jhonathan Diaz, who signed with the Red Sox in 2013 and made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels. Reyes is now in big league camp with the New York Mets and Diaz resigned in the winter of 2022 with the Angels and will be playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Darwinzon Hernandez, who rose to stardom with the Red Sox in 2019 after making his MLB debut and Eduard Bazardo, who made his debut in 2021 with Boston, are two young arms that can be a great addition now to the Baltimore bullpen. Ironically, both Bazardo and Hernandez are great friends who grew up in the Red Sox organization and now find themselves in the same situation but with a new club.

Hernandez, a left handed pitcher, appeared in 29 games in 2019, with one start, and struck out 57 batters through 30.1 innings, with opponents batting just .237 against him. In the shortened 2020 season, he appeared in seven games, and struck out 13 batters through 8.1 innings and opponents batted just .161 against him. In 2021, he appeared in 48 games, had 12 holds, and struck out 54 batters through 40 innings, with opponents batting just .203 against him.

During the 2022 season, Hernandez was not himself, as he appeared in only seven games in July and August and struggled with his control giving up 16 runs through six innings, while opponents batted .424 in his time with the big club.

Hernandez rebounded in winter ball, playing in Venezuela and in 19 appearances, he posted a 3.86 ERA, with 23 strikeouts through 16.1 innings. But that was not enough to keep in with the only team he has ever known, as the Red Sox designated him for assignment on Jan 6, 2023 and then traded him to the Orioles on January 11. Hernandez, will be playing with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and also expect him to become a big part of the Orioles bullpen in 2023.

Bazardo, a right handed pitcher, appeared in a game on April 14, 2021 and then on May 12th and combined, he threw three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and three strikeouts.

In 2022, the joined the squad on September 1st and up until the last game of the season on October 5th, and posted a 2.76 ERA in 12 games, while striking out 11 through 16.1 innings or work, while opponents hit just .203 against him.

After the season ended, the Red Sox did not sign Bazardo, so he elected free agency and signed a free agent contract with the Orioles on December 19, 2022.

Both Hernandez and Bazardo are Non-Roster invitees with the Orioles, and even if they do not make the club right out of Spring Training, it won’t be long before they both force the hand of the Orioles, to put them on the big club pitching staff. They are just that good when they are on.

Two buddies who grew up together in the Red Sox organization, now find themselves poised for the opportunity to help Baltimore win.

Keep your eyes on these two because they will continue to impress on the mound as 2023 will be a big year for both.