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Atlanta Braves’ New Pitching Coach Chuck Hernandez

By Alan Carpenter

Oct 1, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Miami Marlins pitching coach Chuck Hernandez (55) comes out to talk with starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Miami Marlins pitching coach Chuck Hernandez (55) comes out to talk with starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The only stand-alone firing that Hernandez has faced in his coaching career involves his 2008 stint with the Tigers.  But in May of that year, Manager Jim Leyland was quick to defend his staff, despite a poor start (16-23):

"The pitching staff entered the game with a league-worst 5.09 ERA, but Leyland said pitching coach Chuck Hernandez “is as good as I’ve been around.”"

Leyland pointed out that his staff was essentially the same as it was when the team went to the World Series in 2006… and that if he (and they, by implication) were good at their jobs back in 2006, it’s hard to suggest that they were suddenly bad in 2008.

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That said, there sometimes need to be a “fall guy” and Hernandez was one of those guys at the end of that season:

"The moves are the coaching fallout from a season in which the Tigers, whom many forecast to contend for a World Series berth, will finish close to the cellar in the American League Central. Though pitching was never expected to be the strength of the club, not with a star-studded offensive lineup, Detroit’s staff 4.87 ERA ranked next-to-last in the American League and 27th among 30 Major League teams."

It did seems that the struggles the Tigers had that season were a lot more about two things:  an illl-advised acqusition of an ineffective Dontrelle Willis (9.38 ERA in 24 innings) and an oft-injured bullpen.  Justin Verlander (4.84) struggled as well, but Armando Galarraga (3.73) was their best starter that year.  One of the more notable injury victims that season was Jason Grilli.

With all the injuries, that club ended up having to rely on a 43-year-old Kenny Rogers (30 starts) to help them limp through the season.

About Pitching Readiness

That article went on to provide some insight into Hernandez’ philosophies and preparation for his pitchers:

"With three seasons in charge of the Tigers’ pitching staff, Hernandez is the only pitching coach that some of Detroit’s young arms have known in their brief big league careers. His focus on preparation and individualized scouting reports, detailing a plan of attack for each particular pitcher against an opponent, was widely credited with helping Detroit’s staff emerge in 2006 on the Tigers’ way to 95 wins and the World Series. Detroit led the Majors with a 3.84 ERA and 16 shutouts two years ago. The bulk of the strength was in the rotation, which accounted for 75 victories and better than six innings per start. Justin Verlander won 17 games and AL Rookie of the Year honors, while Kenny Rogers provided the veteran presence with 17 more wins. Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman had some of their more solid performances to date."

His bio on the University of South Florida web pages also credits him for development assistance with 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee., plus work with others such as Chuck Finley and Scott Kazmir.  Since then, of course, he led the Marlins’ staff – notably the now deceased Jose Fernandez.

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