4 issues to know in regards to the pitchers Boston acquired for Kiké Hernández

Pink Sox

The Dodgers despatched pitchers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman to Boston for Hernández. Here is what you want to know.

Nick Robertson, proven above, was one of many gamers the Pink Sox acquired on Tuesday in return for Kiké Hernandez. Nick Wass/AP Photograph

Kiké Hernández has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return, the Pink Sox bought again some promising items.

The Dodgers despatched right-handed reduction pitchers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman to Boston in trade for Hernández. The Pink Sox might use some right-handed bullpen depth, making these strike-throwing Dodgers potential good matches.

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“We matched up with the Dodgers rather well,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom mentioned in regards to the commerce, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. “We had been capable of get some pitchers that we like, that we expect have an opportunity to assist us.” 

Each pitchers performed most of this season in Oklahoma Metropolis, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, and each will begin their Pink Sox profession in Worcester. However given how a lot the Pink Sox’ bullpen has been requested to do over the previous few weeks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a minimum of one within the main leagues quickly.

However who precisely are these two pitchers? What intrigued Bloom a lot that he selected them over different gamers within the Dodgers’ auspicious farm system? Because it seems, there are fairly just a few issues that made Robertson and Hagenman stand out to the Pink Sox.

Nick Robertson is very large.

At 6-feet-6-inches, Robertson is the tallest participant on Worcester’s roster and ties Chris Sale because the second-tallest participant on the Pink Sox 40-man, trailing solely Chris Martin (6-feet-8-inches). As well as, his 265 kilos ties him with Kenley Jansen because the heaviest participant on the roster. Robertson places his dimension to good use, as Baseball Savant locations his extension (the place he releases the ball in relation to the plate) on the 96th percentile within the MLB.

Baseball Savant believes Robertson has the Twenty eighth-best extension within the main leagues, forward of some elite pitchers corresponding to Shane McClanahan and Spencer Strider. In addition they like his favourite pitch, his fastball, placing that pitch within the 68th percentile amongst hitters. 

Robertson is very touted and has already made his main league debut.

Previous to the commerce, Baseball America ranked Robertson because the Dodgers’ twenty fifth finest prospect of their farm system. The stats present it too: he has 7 saves on a 2.54 ERA in 27 video games for Oklahoma Metropolis this yr. Opponents have solely been capable of register a .184 batting common whereas Robertson is on the mound.

He has been so good in Triple-A this season that the Dodgers known as him as much as the most important leagues on June 6, 2023, and he made his MLB debut a day later. His first stint as a serious leaguer was rocky, nonetheless, permitting seven runs in 10.1 innings pitched over 9 video games, adequate for a 6.10 ERA.

Regardless of his lower than stellar begin to his MLB profession, Robertson’s 13 strikeouts as a serious leaguer and his Triple-A dominance give Bloom motive for optimism.

“This can be a man, you possibly can simply take a look at what he’s achieved in Triple A, he has actually had a great run at that degree,” Bloom mentioned. “He has but to show it up right here however very able to doing so.”

Along with his dimension and Triple-A resume, Robertson’s pitch selection excites Bloom. Robertson primarily depends on his four-seam fastball and changeup, and he generally throws in a slider that exhibits promise, particularly towards right-handers.

“Huge, tall man, energy pitcher, good fastball,” Bloom mentioned of Robertson. His changeup has actually come on. It’s turn into a weapon towards either side. He has a breaking ball that he makes use of successfully to righties. Positively a man who you possibly can envision serving to us right here within the very close to future.”

Justin Hagenman has additionally been formidable in Triple-A.

Whereas with Oklahoma Metropolis this season, Hagenman has accrued a 4-0 document in 55 IP, with an ERA of two.78 and 60 strikeouts. He’s a very good strike-thrower and instructions the strike zone properly. Like Robertson, Hagenman has a slider and a changeup. His fastball is a two-seamer that hits within the low 90s.

Hagenman has but to make his MLB debut. However his development as a pitcher and expertise at throwing strikes made Bloom need Hagenman’s first big-league recreation to be in a Pink Sox uniform.

“Hagenman has come alongside over the course of time,” Bloom mentioned. “All the time a man who might pitch. Good really feel to pitch. Full repertoire. He’s come into just a little extra velocity as his profession has gone on. He’s been used as a swingman however a man managers have all the time been capable of depend on to come back in, throw strikes with a deep repertoire.”

Hagenman has potential as a multi-inning reliever.

A noticeable line on Hagenman’s MLB statistics web page exhibits that he made 5 begins this season. That, alongside along with his 55 IP being greater than twice as a lot as his 25 GP, exhibits that Hagenman can deal with a number of innings at a time. Multi-inning relievers have turn into very precious throughout the league lately. It’s doable the Pink Sox might flip him into one.

Bloom doesn’t know what Hagenman’s position with Boston might be simply but. However he hopes to determine that out by discerning what sort of pitcher his latest reliever is and may turn into.

“I believe we’ve bought to get our arms round him and get to know him just a little higher,” Bloom mentioned. “He’s proven extra multi-inning capability just lately. Clearly, at instances we’ve had lots of bulk or beginning alternatives there in Triple-A, so it’ll give us a chance to get to know him. I’m probably not able to say [what his role will be] but, but it surely’s good that he’s had that versatility.”

It’s very probably that Boston will make extra strikes forward of Aug. 1’s commerce deadline. However by buying Robertson and Hagenman, Bloom and the Pink Sox have began their deadline off on the proper path.