When Your Star Begins to Fade...

If you follow me on Twitter, or on Facebook, you should get the idea that my opinion of Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida is very low. I remember his first big league at bat back in September of 2005, and how he made a big splash by opening his career with a pinch-hit grand slam. We all thought that this former first round pick would continue that dominance throughout his playing career with Marlins.

I remember his 2006-2007 seasons, how they were ravaged by injuries which hurt his potential. However, I also remember his great second half in 2007, which resulted in his (still) career highs in hits, homeruns, RBIs, and batting average.



And judging by the numbers alone, Hermida looks like a fairly solid player on paper. Sure his batting average is at a not-to-write-anything-home-about number (.257) and he strikes out a lot (86 K's as of 8/6/09). However, his on base percentage is pretty good at .337, which means he might be a good table setter (according to stats alone).

So, why all the animosity?

It just seems that whenever he comes up with the bases empty, early in the game, or in other low-pressure situations, Hermida hits a double, or hits a solo homerun. Meanwhile, late in games or in high-pressure situations, he strikes out, or worse, hits into a game ending double play (as he did on Tuesday against Washington). No matter where he hits in the lineup - second, sixth, seventh, or eighth - fate has it that he will land in a high pressure situation, and fail to come through.

What makes things worse, now, is that Hermida is of no value to this team, nor to any other team. If Beinfest wants to dump him, now, he will get very little, if anything in return.

Let's hope Hermida starts swinging the bat soon - maybe not to salvage the season, but to increase his value and bring in someone who can get the job done more consistently.