Imagine stepping into the batter's box, knowing you're about to face a pitcher with an unorthodox release point, but your only practice has been against a machine that can't even replicate their unique delivery. This was the reality for Kiké Hernández during the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2025 World Series preparation.
Hernández, a versatile utility player, found himself sidelined by a nagging left elbow injury during the Dodgers' playoff push. As the team geared up to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, his injury limited him to using the Trajekt Arc, an advanced pitching machine designed to mimic a pitcher's arsenal. But here's where it gets tricky: the Trajekt, despite its sophistication, couldn't fully replicate the unusual release points of Blue Jays pitchers Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage.
In a candid interview on Baseball and Coffee with Adam Ottavino, Hernández shared his frustration: '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... I wanted to face Yesavage because we thought he was starting Game 1. But the Trajekt doesn’t even get as high as his release point.' This limitation left Hernández and the Dodgers at a disadvantage, as they couldn’t fully prepare for the unique challenges these pitchers presented.
And this is the part most people miss: the Trajekt Arc, while a valuable tool, has its constraints. It’s a game-changer for batting practice and game-planning, but when it comes to replicating the quirks of certain pitchers, it falls short. This raises a thought-provoking question: How much can technology truly replace the unpredictability of live pitching?
Despite these challenges, Hernández showed remarkable resilience. He homered off Yesavage in Game 5, though he struggled overall, hitting just .179/.172/.286 across 29 plate appearances. What’s even more astonishing is that Hernández played through a UCL injury in his left elbow for most of the season, a fact he revealed after undergoing surgery following the Dodgers' World Series victory.
The Dodgers had mixed success against Gausman, who went 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in two World Series starts, while Yesavage fared better, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three appearances. These stats highlight the impact of the Blue Jays' pitching strategy and the limitations Hernández faced in his preparation.
But here's the controversial part: Should teams rely so heavily on technology like the Trajekt Arc, or is there an irreplaceable value in traditional, live practice? Hernández’s experience suggests that while technology can aid preparation, it’s no substitute for the real thing. What do you think? Is the Trajekt Arc a game-changer, or does it fall short in critical moments? Let’s spark a discussion in the comments!
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