Arizona Diamondbacks: 5 Players to Watch 7/6-7/12
Mar 6, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez (23) at bat in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
How often does a Rule 5 guy who hasn’t played all year get some attention in July? Well, the D’backs are now carrying three catchers on the roster and Hernandez has to stay there for at least 90 days. If the D’backs decide to send him down to the Minors, he has to be offered back to the Tampa Bay Rays, the club he was selected from. What we are seeing now is a mid-year, open audition for the backup catcher’s spot between Hernandez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. With the designated hitter in effect for two games as well as a couple of day games in New York, we could get our first look at the 21-year old Hernandez.