The Royals optioned Hernandez to High-A Wilmington on March 7.

EDGE Analysis

Kansas City thought enough about Hernandez's long-term potential to protect him from the Rule 5 draft over the winter, even though he's probably at least a couple years away from being ready for the majors. He'll level up to High-A after finishing the 2019 campaign at Low-A Lexington, where he accrued a 3.50 ERA and 43:9 K:BB in 36 frames.

Hernandez was added to the Royals' 40-man roster Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old has yet to progress past the Low-A level, but he showed promise in 2019 even after missing extended time with a rib injury. Over 36 innings for Low-A Lexington, Hernandez posted a 3.50 ERA with a 43:9 K:BB. The right-hander is protected from the Rule 5 draft as a result of his addition to the 40-man roster.

Hernandez (ribs) made his 2019 debut last week with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate. He's made two appearances for the club, giving up five runs on five hits and two walks over 2.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old spent the first two-plus months of the season at extended spring training while recovering from a stress fracture in his rib cage. While Hernandez now looks to be healthy again in spite of his poor results, he'll likely make at least a few more appearances in the Arizona League before receiving an assignment to a full-season affiliate. He spent the 2018 campaign with Low-A Lexington, posting a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 82:23 K:BB In 79.1 innings.

Hernandez is being held back in extended spring training while he rehabs a stress fracture in his rib, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This sounds like it could be months, not weeks, before Hernandez is ready to make his 2019 debut, likely at High-A Wilmington. He has a pretty filthy repertoire when he is on, but many evaluators think Hernandez will eventually end up in the bullpen due to shaky command and inconsistent secondary offerings. The big 6-foot-4 righty is already 22 and has not pitched above Low-A.

Hernandez struck out a career-high 12 batters over seven innings in Low-A Lexington's 2-1 win over Greensboro. He gave up one unearned run on four hits and two walks.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez hadn't whiffed more than five hitters in any of his last five outings, but the 21-year-old's big performance Monday bumped him up to a 9.4 K/9 rate through 12 starts on the campaign. That's roughly on par with the rate he delivered in the Appalachian League, but Hernandez has made more significant improvements with his control. He's trimmed his BB/9 down from 3.9 in 2017 to 2.8 this season.