Michel Hernandez
Encyclopedia
Michel Hernandez is a Cuba
n professional baseball
catcher
for the Cleveland Indians
of Major League Baseball
.
as an undrafted free agent on May 11, .
From 1998 to , Hernandez was in the Yankees organization. Hernandez was first placed on the 40-man roster on November 21, 2002, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft
. On September 1, , Hernandez was called up by the major league team. On September 6, against the Boston Red Sox
, Hernandez made his major league debut, coming into the game as a defensive replacement for Jorge Posada
. On September 26, against the Baltimore Orioles
, Hernandez made his first career start and got his first career hit
, a single
off Rodrigo López. In total, Hernandez played in 5 games in 2003, going 1-4.
On January 8, , Hernandez was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Prior to that, he had been designated for assignment
on December 23, 2003. On March 24, 2004, Hernandez was claimed off waivers again, this time by the Philadelphia Phillies
. Hernandez would go on to play the entire 2004 season with the Phillies Triple-A team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He split time with veteran A. J. Hinch
, with both playing 77 games. Hernandez batted .254 with 6 home run
s and 31 RBI
. On December 20, 2004, Hernandez was designated for assignment. The next day, he became a free agent, as the Phillies decline to offer him a new contract.
Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
on January 18, . He was invited to spring training
and there he hit .520 in 19 games. Hernandez did not make the major league team and was reassigned to the minor leagues on April 2. Hernandez spent the entire 2005 season in Triple-A with the Portland Beavers
. In 82 games, he batted
.288 with 3 home runs. After the season, Hernandez opted for minor league free agency on October 28. On November 14, 2005, the St. Louis Cardinals
signed him to a one-year major league contract.
Hernandez spent the entire season in Triple-A again. Playing for the Memphis Redbirds
, he batted .274 with 2 home runs in 90 games. Hernandez was designated for assignment on January 29, and was outrighted to Triple-A the next day. On March 5, 2007, Hernandez was reassigned to minor league camp and became a free agent.
Hernandez began the 2007 season in the independent league, playing for the Somerset Patriots
of the Atlantic League
. Through 25 games with them, he batted .342. On June 9, Hernandez was signed to a minor league contract by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He finished the 2007 season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls
. In 51 games for the Bulls, he batted .276 with 4 home runs. After the season, he opted for minor league free agency on November 3.
On December 21, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates
signed Hernandez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He did not make the team and was assigned to play for Triple-A Indianapolis
. On August 31, , Hernandez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Due to an injury to regular backup Shawn Riggans
, he was active for the entire 2008 postseason. He did not appear in any playoff games and was released after the postseason ended, but re-signed to a minor league contract in January.
On April 14, , Hernandez's contract was purchased by the Rays when Shawn Riggans
was placed on the 15 day disabled list.
On the 30th of April, 2009 he hit his first home run of the season (also of his career) against the Red Sox's starter Josh Beckett.
On August 8, 2009, Hernandez was designated for assignment
to make room on the active roster for Gregg Zaun
.
On November 10, , Hernandez was signed by the Baltimore Orioles
.
Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
on November 10, 2011. He also received an invitation to Spring Training.
. In 1996, with the Havana Industriales, he and four other teammates fled a stadium in Mexico
while they were there for a series of games.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Professional career
Hernandez was originally signed by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as an undrafted free agent on May 11, .
From 1998 to , Hernandez was in the Yankees organization. Hernandez was first placed on the 40-man roster on November 21, 2002, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. On September 1, , Hernandez was called up by the major league team. On September 6, against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Hernandez made his major league debut, coming into the game as a defensive replacement for Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
. On September 26, against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Hernandez made his first career start and got his first career hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
off Rodrigo López. In total, Hernandez played in 5 games in 2003, going 1-4.
On January 8, , Hernandez was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Prior to that, he had been designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on December 23, 2003. On March 24, 2004, Hernandez was claimed off waivers again, this time by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Hernandez would go on to play the entire 2004 season with the Phillies Triple-A team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He split time with veteran A. J. Hinch
A. J. Hinch
Andrew Jay Hinch is the current vice president of professional scouting for the San Diego Padres. He is a former Major League Baseball catcher and a former manager. Hinch played for the Oakland Athletics , Kansas City Royals , Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies , and managed the Arizona...
, with both playing 77 games. Hernandez batted .254 with 6 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 31 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. On December 20, 2004, Hernandez was designated for assignment. The next day, he became a free agent, as the Phillies decline to offer him a new contract.
Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on January 18, . He was invited to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and there he hit .520 in 19 games. Hernandez did not make the major league team and was reassigned to the minor leagues on April 2. Hernandez spent the entire 2005 season in Triple-A with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. In 82 games, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.288 with 3 home runs. After the season, Hernandez opted for minor league free agency on October 28. On November 14, 2005, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed him to a one-year major league contract.
Hernandez spent the entire season in Triple-A again. Playing for the Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
, he batted .274 with 2 home runs in 90 games. Hernandez was designated for assignment on January 29, and was outrighted to Triple-A the next day. On March 5, 2007, Hernandez was reassigned to minor league camp and became a free agent.
Hernandez began the 2007 season in the independent league, playing for the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. Through 25 games with them, he batted .342. On June 9, Hernandez was signed to a minor league contract by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He finished the 2007 season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. In 51 games for the Bulls, he batted .276 with 4 home runs. After the season, he opted for minor league free agency on November 3.
On December 21, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
signed Hernandez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He did not make the team and was assigned to play for Triple-A Indianapolis
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. On August 31, , Hernandez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Due to an injury to regular backup Shawn Riggans
Shawn Riggans
-Career:Riggans was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 24th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. He played nine games for the Devil Rays in 2006, including eight appearances as catcher and one as a pinch hitter. In 2008, Riggans became the backup catcher for the Rays, behind...
, he was active for the entire 2008 postseason. He did not appear in any playoff games and was released after the postseason ended, but re-signed to a minor league contract in January.
On April 14, , Hernandez's contract was purchased by the Rays when Shawn Riggans
Shawn Riggans
-Career:Riggans was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 24th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. He played nine games for the Devil Rays in 2006, including eight appearances as catcher and one as a pinch hitter. In 2008, Riggans became the backup catcher for the Rays, behind...
was placed on the 15 day disabled list.
On the 30th of April, 2009 he hit his first home run of the season (also of his career) against the Red Sox's starter Josh Beckett.
On August 8, 2009, Hernandez was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
to make room on the active roster for Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
.
On November 10, , Hernandez was signed by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
on November 10, 2011. He also received an invitation to Spring Training.
Personal
A native of Cuba, Hernandez now lives in TampaTâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
. In 1996, with the Havana Industriales, he and four other teammates fled a stadium in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
while they were there for a series of games.