Carlos Eduardo Hernández Bio
Carlos Eduardo Hernández is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher currently in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Guardians after making his MLB debut in 2020. The right-hander was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent in July 2016 and has competed as both a starter and reliever throughout his professional career. Hernández has appeared in 135 major league games, compiling an 8–19 win-loss record with 265 strikeouts across five MLB seasons.
Early Life and Background
Carlos Eduardo Hernández was born on March 11, 1997, in Venezuela. He grew up in his home country where he developed his passion and skills as a baseball pitcher. Hernández pursued his dream of reaching professional baseball from a young age, ultimately attracting the attention of Major League Baseball scouts.
On July 19, 2016, Hernández signed with the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent, receiving a $15,000 signing bonus. This marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey as he left Venezuela to pursue his career in the American minor leagues.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his signing, Hernández began his professional career in 2017 with the Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League. In his debut season, he posted a 1–4 win-loss record with a 5.49 earned run average and 62 strikeouts across 62⅓ innings pitched.
He improved significantly in 2018 with the Lexington Legends, going 6–5 with a 3.29 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 79⅓ innings. However, his 2019 season was interrupted when he suffered a stress fracture in his rib cage during spring training. He did not make his season debut until June 21 and split the campaign between the Arizona League Royals, Burlington, and Lexington, finishing with a combined 3–5 record, 5.31 ERA, and 68 strikeouts across 57⅔ innings.
On November 20, 2019, the Royals added Hernández to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, signaling the organization’s belief in his potential as a future major league contributor.
Carlos Eduardo Hernández Career
Kansas City Royals (2020–2024)
On September 1, 2020, Hernández received his first major league call-up and made his MLB debut against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched 3⅔ scoreless innings in his debut appearance. He appeared in five games for the Royals during the shortened 2020 season, compiling an 0–1 record, 4.91 ERA, and 13 strikeouts in 14⅔ innings.
The 2021 season proved to be Hernández’s breakthrough year. He went 6–2 with a 3.68 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 85⅔ innings, demonstrating his potential as a capable starting pitcher. His performance earned him a more prominent role in the Royals rotation.
However, Hernández struggled in subsequent seasons. In 2022, he made 27 appearances including seven starts, compiling an 0–5 record and 7.39 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 56 innings. The 2023 season saw him post a 1–10 record with a 5.27 ERA and four saves across 67 appearances, the most saves of his career. He bounced back in 2024 with a stronger relief performance, going 0–1 with a 3.30 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 30 innings over 27 appearances.
Philadelphia Phillies (2025)
On March 23, 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed Hernández off outright waivers from the Royals. He made 25 appearances for Philadelphia, posting a 1–0 record and 5.26 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 25⅔ innings. The Phillies designated Hernández for assignment on June 11, 2025.
Detroit Tigers (2025)
On June 16, 2025, the Detroit Tigers claimed Hernández off waivers. He appeared in 11 games for Detroit but struggled significantly, posting a 10.13 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 10⅔ innings. The Tigers designated Hernández for assignment on July 24, 2025.
Cleveland Guardians (2025–Present)
On July 31, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians claimed Hernández off waivers. He appeared in five games for the Guardians, recording a 3.86 ERA with three strikeouts across seven innings. On August 20, 2025, the Guardians designated Hernández for assignment following the promotion of Parker Messick. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on August 22. Hernández elected free agency on October 10, 2025.
On November 7, 2025, Hernández re-signed with the Guardians on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training, providing him another opportunity to compete for a major league roster spot.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Throughout his career, Hernández has demonstrated the ability to work effectively as both a starting pitcher and a reliever. His versatility has allowed him to adapt to different roles depending on team needs. He has shown the ability to generate strikeouts while maintaining competitive earned run averages, particularly in relief appearances where his stuff has played up in shorter stints.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hernández reached the major leagues in 2020 after four seasons in the minor leagues. His best major league season came in 2021 with a 6–2 record and 3.68 ERA. He recorded a career-high four saves in 2023. Hernández has now played for four different MLB organizations within a single season in 2025, showcasing his ability to adapt to new clubhouses and contribute when called upon.
Carlos Eduardo Hernández Career Wins
Across five major league seasons with four different organizations, Hernández has appeared in 135 MLB games. He has compiled a career win-loss record of 8–19 with a 5.14 earned run average and 265 total strikeouts. His career record reflects a mix of starting and relief appearances across multiple organizations.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Hernández’s career win total of eight comes primarily from his 2021 season with Kansas City, where he earned six of those victories. His most recent major league win came with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2025 season. The right-hander reached the 250-strikeout milestone in his career during the 2024 season with the Royals.
Minor League and Other Achievements
Prior to reaching the majors, Hernández showed promise in the minor leagues with solid strikeout numbers. His 2018 season with Lexington Legends featured 82 strikeouts in 79⅓ innings pitched, demonstrating his ability to miss bats at the minor league level.
| Competition Level | Games | Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 135 | 8–19 | 5.14 | 265 |
| 2021 (KC) | 18 | 6–2 | 3.68 | 74 |
| 2025 (Combined) | 41 | 1–1 | 5.89 | 39 |
Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding Hernández’s family background. He was born and raised in Venezuela and began his baseball career in his home country before signing with the Kansas City Royals organization in 2016 at age 19.
Personal Life
Hernández has focused on his baseball career since relocating to the United States. He has navigated the challenges of being a professional athlete in a foreign country while maintaining connections to his Venezuelan roots. His professional journey has required adaptability as he has moved between multiple organizations throughout his MLB career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition and opportunity for Hernández. He began the year with the Kansas City Royals before being claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies in March. After appearing in 25 games for Philadelphia, he moved to the Detroit Tigers in mid-June. His stint with the Tigers proved difficult as he posted a 10.13 ERA in 11 appearances.
Hernández found himself with his fourth organization of the season when the Cleveland Guardians claimed him off waivers at the end of July. He recorded a 3.86 ERA in five appearances with Cleveland before being designated for assignment in August. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus where he finished the minor league season.
Despite the challenges of the season, Hernández demonstrated resilience by re-signing with the Guardians on a minor league contract in November with an invitation to spring training. The opportunity provides him with a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2026 and potentially re-establish himself as a contributor at the major league level.