Arizona Diamondbacks: 5 Players to Watch 7/27-8/2
Jul 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez (23) hits a double in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The third rookie we are looking at this week, Hernandez seems overmatched at the plate. He has struck out 11 times in only 16 plate appearances. However, the pitching staff gave up only two runs in the three games Hernandez caught in the series vs. the Brewers. While some of it speaks to a collective slump by the Crew and outstanding work by the D’backs’ unit, there is no doubt the catcher has a hand in that success. Welington Castillo has been dinged up lately with a tight hamstring and a pitch he took off the forearm on Saturday, allowing Hernandez to get some a lot of work. With Jarrod Saltalamacchia scheduled to come off the disabled list Monday, playing time for Hernandez will diminish. As a Rule 5 Draft selection, he will still remain in the Majors for the rest of the season.