The Royals optioned Hernandez to High-A Wilmington on March 7.
Kansas City thought enough about Hernandez's long-term potential to protect him from the Rule 5 draft over the winter, even though he's probably at least a couple years away from being ready for the majors. He'll level up to High-A after finishing the 2019 campaign at Low-A Lexington, where he accrued a 3.50 ERA and 43:9 K:BB in 36 frames.