VIDEO: Watch King Felix Hernandez's Impressive Braves Spring Training Debut
By Michael Luciano
It may not be pleasing to the eye, but Felix Hernandez has ditched his old Seattle Mariners colors for the red and navy of the Atlanta Braves. The threads might be different, but King Felix was once again King Felix in his Spring Training debut with the club. Hernandez didn't allow a run across two hitless innings, picking up a pair of strikeouts along the way against the Baltimore Orioles.
King Félix is looking to show he's got something left in the tank. pic.twitter.com/zugLFewxJ6
— MLB (@MLB) February 22, 2020
Hernandez hasn't posted a sub-5.00 ERA since 2017, but he still has plenty of tools in his toolbox. While he doesn't have the fastball velocity he used to, his changeup and curveball are still there, and big leaguers and prospects alike have difficulty squaring those pitches up.
Felix Hernandez: different look, same filth ? pic.twitter.com/KmNOoQ7Rsl
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) February 22, 2020
Even after all these years, that remains one of the better breaking balls in the league.
Hernandez put up with nearly two decades of futility in Seattle, and him having a chance at postseason success with Atlanta would warm the cockles of every baseball fan's heart.