Adrian Hernandez #65

Defected from Ciudad Havana, Cuba to Guatamala on January 2, 2000 and trained there in anticipation of a tryout with Major-League teams...pitched for Cuba's most popular team, the Indutriales, from 1996-99 and compiled a record of 26-14...was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1999 postseason...known as "El Duquecito" because his pitching style closely resembles that of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez...was signed by Gordon Blakeley.

2001

Split time between the Yankees and Triple-A Columbus...in three separate stints with the Yankees was 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA in six games (three starts)...was 0-3 with a 4.80 ERA as a starter and 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA in relief...was recalled from Columbus for the first time on 4/20...made his Major-League debut in relief on 4/21 vs. Boston, allowing 1 ER in 3.0IP (2 H, 1 BB, 1 HR)...made his first Major-League start on 6/20 at Detroit, allowing 1 ER in 4.2 IP and suffered the loss in a Detroit 5-2 victory...with Columbus was 8-7 with a 5.51 ERA in 21 games started...won season-high four straight games from 4/28-5/13, allowing 7 ER in 25.2 IP (2.45 ERA)...was placed on the disabled list from 6/1-10 with sore right elbow...was placed on the D.L. for a second time from 7/4-21 with a strained left knee...threw a season-high 8.0 innings on 7/31 vs. Norfolk, allowing only 1 R and 2 H but recorded the loss.

2000

In his first professional season, split time between Class-A Tampa, Double-A Norwich and Triple-A Columbus, compiling an 8-2 record with a 3.95 ERA in 12 games started...made his professional debut on 6/3 with Tampa vs. Ft. Myers, earning the win and striking out 13 while allowing 1 ER and 3 H in 6.2 IP...it was his only appearance with Tampa before being promoted to Norwich on 6/6...tossed a seven-inning complete game on 6/17 at Trenton (6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10K)...won his last four decisions with Norwich, allowing 7 ER in 27.2 IP (2.28 ERA)...was promoted to Columbus on 7/5 and threw two complete games in his five starts...on 7/26 threw a one-hit complete-game shutout (11 K) at Scranton/Wilkes Barre...suffered sprained ligament in left knee on 7/31 at Pawtucket, his final appearance of the season...placed on disabled list from 8/1 through the remainder of the season with a left knee sprain...was ranked as the #4 prospect in the Yankee organization by Baseball America.