Nick Hernandez #72

Re-signed with the Padres on a Minor League deal for 2024 after spending the majority of 2023 between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso...Made his MLB Debut with the Padres in September 2023 with relief outings vs. LAD (Sept. 12) and COL (Sept. 18)...Converted 30 of his 39 Minor League save opportunities from 2016-23, posting an 11.5 SO/9 IP ratio while limiting hitters to a .225 AVG in save situations...Drafted in the eighth round by HOU in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, he made 164 appearances (one start) in the Astros' farm system from 2016-22, posting a 2.90 ERA with a .182 opponents' batting average...Played two seasons at Alvin Community College (TEX) before playing one season at the University of Houston, where he was named to the American Athletic Conference First Team as a relief pitcher and became the 6th Cougar all-time to notch 10+ saves in a single season with 11 in 2016.

2023

In his first season with the Padres organization, split the majority of the campaign between San Antonio (AA) and El Paso (AAA) before making his MLB debut with the Padres in September... Had his contract selected on Sept. 11 and made 2 appearances for SD on Sept 12 @ LAD (2.0 IP, H, 2 ER, 3 SO) and Sept 18 vs. COL (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 SO)…optioned back to ELP on Sept. 22... Started '23 with the Missions, posting a 3.18 ERA (10 ER, 28.1 IP) in 24 relief app and converted six SV in eight SVO... converted all 5 of his SVO and was scoreless in 12 of his 13 appearances (0.68 ERA) from May 16-June 23 before being promoted to the Chihuahuas on June 28... Allowed six ER across his first two Triple-A appearances before posting a 15.1 scoreless-inning streak from July 4-Aug. 9…allowed runs in seven of his final nine app. (6.14 ERA) for the Chihuahuas from Aug. 12-Sept. 23... Tossed 2.0+ IP on 28 occasions, posting a 1.93 ERA (6 ER, 28.0 IP) in those outings.