Felix Hernandez, Pitcher


Date of Birth: 4/8/1986
Birthplace: Valencia, Venezuela
Nickname: King Felix

Felix Hernandez, pitcher, was first signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2002 when he was only 16. He spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons in the minor leagues, coming up to the Mariners in 2005 at the age of 19. In his first season in the major leagues, Hernandez played in 12 games, pitched 84.1 innings, and had an ERA of 2.67 with 77 strikeouts to 23 walks.

Hernandez led the American League in wins in 2009, but his best season was the following one. In 2010, he won the Cy Young award and his ERA of 2.27 was the lowest in the American League. That season, he played in 34 games, pitched 249.2 innings, and had 232 strikeouts.

In 2012, Hernandez joined just a few major league pitchers who have pitched perfect games. Hernandez' perfect game came on August 15, 2012, against the Tampa Bay Rays. In February, 2013, the Mariners gave Hernandez a seven-year, $175 million contract extension that includes a club option for 2020. He earned his salary in 2014, finishing with a 15-6 record, a career high 248 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a career low ERA of 2.14 in 236.0 innings in 34 games.

Hernandez had another good season in 2015. He finished with an 18-9 record, 191 strikeouts to 58 walks, and a 3.53 ERA in 201.2 innings in 31 games. In 2016, he had a 3.82 ERA with 11 wins to 8 losses and 122 strikeouts to 65 walks in 153.1 innings pitched in 25 games.

Hernandez spent a good part of the 2017 season on the DL, pitching in just 16 games with the Mariners. He finished with a 4.36 ERA, 6 wins and 5 losses, and 78 strikeouts to 26 walks in 86.2 innings.

Hernandez was moved to the bullpen on August 10, 2018. He was back in the starting rotation on August 20th, after just one game as a reliever. He finished the season with 8 wins and 14 losses, 125 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a career high ERA of 5.55 in 155.2 innings in 29 games.

Hernandez spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right shoulder strain. He finished the season with 1 win and 8 losses, 57 strikeouts to 25 walks, and a 6.40 ERA in 71.2 innings in 15 games.

Hernandez became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 22, 2020. He opted out of the shortened 2020 season.

Hernandez elected free agency on November 2, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on February 3, 2021, but he was released less than two months later, on March 29th. He didn't play professional baseball in 2021.

Statistics for Hernandez in fifteen seasons (2006-2019) in the major leagues include:

  • 10 seasons with 30 or more games played, with a high of 34 in 2009, 2010, and 2014
  • 8 seasons with over 200 innings pitched, with a high of 249.2 in 2010
  • 3 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 2.14 in 2014
  • 19 wins in 2009
  • 10 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with 6 of those seasons with over 200 strikeouts, with a high of 248 in 2014

Career pitching statistics for Hernandez through 2019 include:

  • 419 games played
  • 2,729.2 innings pitched
  • 169-136 win-loss record
  • 2,524 strikeouts to 805 walks
  • 3.42 ERA

Charitable Work

Hernandez is the spokesman for the Seattle King County Humane Society.

Personal Life

Hernandez and his wife have one son and one daughter.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Felix Hernandez
ESPN Sports - Felix Hernandez