Darell Hernaiz getting closer to seeing Big League dream come true

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Nearly five years ago, Darell Hernaiz was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft right out of Americas High School by the Baltimore Orioles.

After getting traded to the Oakland Athletics organization last year, Hernaiz took off last summer, skyrocketing to Triple-A while hitting .321 with nine home runs and 71 RBI in 131 Minor League games.

Now, with about three weeks left in Spring Training before the start of the 2024 season, Hernaiz is making a major case to be on the A’s Opening Day roster.

Currently the fifth-ranked prospect in the A’s organization, Hernaiz has been getting a long look this spring in Big League camp out in Arizona, both at his natural middle infield positions and also at third base.

The hot corner might actually be the 22-year-old’s fastest ticket to the Big Leagues; Oakland has been trying him out at that spot a lot lately. He robbed Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout of a hit on Wednesday, while also hitting .261 during Spring Training.

Hernaiz is so close to reaching his dream that he can taste it and it’s come in an organization willing to give him a fair shake.

“They’ve taken me in like one of their own and I’m really thankful because they let me do my thing. They weren’t overbearing trying to change me in any way, they were like, ‘hey, we know you’re good, just do your thing and it’ll all work out,'” Hernaiz said. “I’m really grateful that they didn’t really tell me much, they just said, ‘we believe in you.'”

Hernaiz will be one of the featured Oakland up-and-comers during the club’s Spring Breakout game March 15 vs. the San Francisco Giants at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.

If Hernaiz continues to play well, it’ll be hard to keep him off the MLB Opening Day roster March 28 vs. the Cleveland Guardians. Even if he isn’t, expect Hernaiz to get called up to the Bigs at some point in 2024.

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