Kike Hernandez Reveals Trajekt Machine Had Limitations As Dodgers Prepared For World Series

"With my elbow, I couldn't hit in between series. The first time I was able to swing was two days before the World Series, when we flew into Toronto and had an optional workout. You do what you need to do. I was like, well I didn't get live ABs, so I need to get on Trajekt. I faced Gausman for a little bit, but I've faced Gausman a lot. So even if my timing is not right, at least I know what it feels like. So I was like, I want to face Yesavage because we thought Yesavage was starting Game 1. We started moving the Trajekt, and sure enough, the Trajekt doesn't even get as high as his release point."

"The Trajekt Arc is an advanced pitching machine that mimics a pitcher's arsenal. The Dodgers have used it at various times over the last two seasons for batting practice and game-planning against certain pitchers. L.A. had mixed results against Gausman as he went 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 12.2 innings pitched across two World Series starts."

"Yesavage made three appearances (two starts) against the Dodgers and went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 12.2 innings of work. Hernández homered off Yesavage in Game 5 but largely struggled against the Blue Jays as he hit just .179/.172/.286 across 29 plate appearances."

Kiké Hernández was limited by a left elbow injury and could not take live batting practice during the playoffs. He relied on a Trajekt pitching machine for simulated at-bats while attempting to prepare for Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage. The Trajekt could not reproduce Yesavage's higher release point, limiting its effectiveness. The Dodgers used the Trajekt in game-planning but saw mixed results: Gausman posted a 4.26 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in two World Series starts, while Yesavage posted a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 12.2 innings. Hernández hit .179/.172/.286 in 29 plate appearances, homering in Game 5.

Read at Dodger Blue