Atlanta Braves 2024 season preview: Daysbel Hernandez looks to earn his spot
The RHP made his debut last year and looks build off of it
By Gaurav Vedak
Daysbel Hernández 2023 Recap
Daysbel Hernández was an unfamiliar name to most at the start of the 2023 season. It's not often pure relievers garner much attraction in the prospect community because of their enigmatic nature that is being a reliever. That being said, Daysbel continually appeared on Top 30 prospect lists because there was no denying the arm talent that the righty had.
Last season the Braves liked what they saw as he pitched 5.1 innings in A+ Rome, 14 innings at Double-A Mississippi, and 5.1 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett before getting a chance in Atlanta on July 31st.
That debut, was a special one for Daysbel as the righty faced the Milwaukee Brewers and struck out the side, while giving up just one hit for a 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 4K lineDaysbel appeared in 3 more games for a final line of 1-0 with a 7.36 ERA, 5.98 FIP, 14.73 K/9 and 7.36 BB/9. His season unfortunately came to a close when he was placed on the 60 day DL on August 1st and wasn't eligible to return until October 2nd.
What is in store for 2024?
The overpowering fastball, with wipeout slider is an option every major league team would want so while he will likely start in Gwinnett this year (he has 3 options remaining), it would not be surprising if he spent most of the season with the big league team. Daysbel is an overpowering pitcher who has had fantastic strikeout numbers his entire career so as long as he limits his walks he will remain an intriguing option for Atlanta.
Daysbel has a pure 70 grade fastball that sits upper 90s with great sinking action and he combines that with a good slider that keeps right handed batters completely flummoxed as it darts away from them. The only question has always been can he control it?
His first battle will be showing health as he returns from that infllamation, and then he will have to show he belongs in a stacked Atlanta bullpen. At 27 years of age the door is open for him to come into Atlanta and firmly show that he belongs in the big leagues for an extended period.
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