I am a little surprised I have over looked this so far. I am also surprised no one has said anything about it to me either. Does the Tigers' struggles so far this year have anything to do with Chuck Hernandez?
Chuck Hernandez, the pitching coach for the Tigers, is the same pitching coach who got fired from the Tampa Bay (then Devil) Rays before being hired by Jim Leyland. Lets look at the numbers.
An interesting place to start is what pitchers have done while being coached by Chuck Hernandez, leaving the Tigers and pitching for another team under another pitching coach's direction.
Chad Durbin:
2007 ERA: 4.72 (in 36 games)
2008 ERA: 1.48 (in 29 games)
Granted he is now a bullpen pitcher and has only pitched 42 innings, but still, that is a solid stat.
Tim Byrdak
2007 ERA: 3.20 (39 games)
2008 ERA: 1.96 (25 games)
Again, both of these pitchers have the benefit of being in the NL and switching leagues, but these guys are relievers. Its not like they are seeing pitchers up to bat 1/9 of the time. Also, some people say it is hard to switch leagues, no matter which way to do it. See Barry Zito or Dontrelle Willis.
Jair Jurrjens
2007 ERA: 4.70 (7 games)
2008 ERA: 3.20 (15 games)
Andrew Miller
2007 ERA: 6.10
2008 ERA: 5.07
Both of these guys are very young and are starters now in the national league, with the benefit of that automatic out. But still the trend is hard to not notice.
Now and even better comparison. How has Verlander produced with more and more instruction from Hernandez?
2006 ERA: 3.63
2007 ERA: 3.66
2008 ERA: 4.49
Is Justin Verlander getting worse because of Hernandez? Hmm... do numbers lie?
This may not be the best time for this post considering the Tigers are doing pretty well and again approaching .500. But, looking at stats alone it begs for a few questions.
1. Are the young Tigers pitchers (Verlander, Bonderman, Robertson, Galaraga, Willis) being held back by Chuck Hernandez? Have these talented pitchers not yet reached their potential?
2. Should Hernandez get fired in the middle of the season?
In regards to question 1, I say probably yes. Although it is hard to believe that Verlander could be better than his 2006-07 years, it isn't hard to believe someone with his talent could be even better. In addition, I certainly thing that Bonderman could be really good under someone else's teaching. Chuck couldn't seem to teach him a consistent changeup, but then again no one in the minors could either.
In regards to question 2, the answer is no. The Tigers have had so many ridiculous shake ups this year already; they dont need another. Think about it. 9 different players have played left field, almost our entire infield has changed since last year, and half of it has changed since opening day! Oh by the way, other than Magglio hitting 4th is anyone still batting in the same position?
Plus reality sets in. Leyland is the king of loyalty to his guys. Chuck is his guy. He will defend him and keep him around.
But hopefully by next season, i hope we have a new coach. I honestly believe these pitchers have more to give, the Tigers just need to find the guy to get it out of them.
Chuck Hernandez
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1 comments:
bullpens usually carry momentum with each other and do well. if these pitchers know their roles and go by the game plan, they work well as a unit. and that's how i see the tigers right now. previously, there was always questions on who should be the closer. and now it seems like fernando, joel (when healthy), and jones all know what their job's are. the new guys have fit in nicely, cuz i'm sure they just want to pitch in the bigs. with bonderman, i think he needs a change of scenery. some pitchers will bury themselves in such a deep hole, no pitching coach can help, only a new team can help. but the problem is, what can you get for him? with verlander, he's fine. pretty much every pitcher goes through a rough stint which might last a year. another point you have to consider, when you're losing more than you should, it affects the starters a lot more then the bullpen.
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