Royals’ Carlos Hernandez is ready for save opportunities & anything else. Here’s why

Right-hander Carlos Hernandez is poised for more save opportunities now that former Royals closer Scott Barlow has been traded to the San Diego Padres.

Hernandez locked up his first career save in the Royals’ 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins last Sunday. He navigated past a pitch-clock violation and a walk to strike out two and finish the Royals’ first series sweep this season.

“You really don’t think about the save,” Hernandez said through a translator, reflecting on the moment before the Royals’ series finale against the Mets on Thursday.

“I was out there and just was thinking about helping the team and closing the inning. And then after that is when it really hits you like, ‘Hey, OK, that was my first save.’ But I got a ball, and then I came back and I felt great.”

Hernandez also earned the win against the Mets on Tuesday despite conceding a two run-home run in the top of the 10th, as the Royals won 7-6 on a walk-off balk in the bottom half.

He has recorded a 3.67 ERA this season in 47 appearances, with 65 strikeouts across 54 innings.

Hernandez said there haven’t been any formal conversations with the coaching staff about naming him the closer or giving him the ninth inning permanently. He has entered in relief anywhere from the fourth inning to the ninth this season and is trying to focus on helping the Royals win regardless of when he comes in.

“We have a pretty good bullpen and it feels like everybody (and) anybody in that bullpen can get the job done,” Hernandez said, “and you just have to take good care of the opportunities when you get them.”

Hernandez’s progression toward handling more high-leverage situations has impressed pitching coach Brian Sweeney, who was the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen coach until this season.

Sweeney said he learned from Royals manager Matt Quatraro and bench coach Paul Hoover about the role of an opener when he came to Kansas City. Quatraro and Hoover came from the Tampa Bay Rays, who began the practice in 2018 of starting pitchers who were traditionally relievers to ensure early outs.

The Royals used Hernandez as an opener four times between May and June. Discussing Hernandez’s growth on Thursday, Sweeney compared his journey to that of Ryne Stanek, one of the Rays’ original openers now working late innings for the Houston Astros.

“These guys developed as big relievers by starting as an opener, right?” Sweeney said. “They pitched it and they’re like, ‘This is how my stuff plays’ — not as high leverage. Then all of a sudden, boom, they’re at the back end of the game closing games out.”

In addition to opening, what else has helped prepare Hernandez for a bigger role at the back end of the bullpen?

The World Baseball Classic, for one. He was one of Venezuela’s top relievers in the March international tournament, striking out five in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

“That environment is really ... a playoff atmosphere,” Sweeney said. “Crowds are into it. It’s a winter-ball environment, which (Hernandez has) played in, too, and I was fortunate enough to do. They’re passionate about the game. They’re passionate about their countries and competing for them. It definitely sets them up for success.”

Hernandez has also learned from teammates with closing experience.

Lefty Aroldis Chapman, who has tallied over 300 career saves, was his catch partner before the Royals traded him to the Texas Rangers. Chapman helped Hernandez make adjustments after rough outings earlier this season.

Being teammates with Chapman for roughly half a season and Barlow since 2020 taught Hernandez what it takes to be a closer.

“Just holistically, the total package of what it takes to be an elite reliever in a game,” Sweeney said. “The mound presence of both Chapman and Barlow. How to prep down in the bullpen. How to prep before the game, what you’re thinking about, and then your plan of attack. Those guys were instrumental in his growth.”

Hernandez said he “definitely learned from them a lot,” speaking on Barlow and Chapman.

“(Their) preparation,” Hernandez continued, “you could just tell that they could almost predict when they were coming in — and the way they would look at the game. So definitely, preparation is the biggest part they left.”

Hernandez will look to carry those lessons forward, although it’s more than racking up saves. He just wants to win.

“I really don’t think about it,” Hernandez said. “First, second, third, seventh, whatever inning comes, the focus is on helping the team and trying to get the win. It really doesn’t matter. Just taking advantage of the opportunities I get.”