Hertzler was promoted to Pawtucket today after posting a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 IP out of the bullpen for Portland.

The 25-year-old right-hander was an 11th-round draft pick in 2003 out of Central Connecticut State. He's a native of East Providence, RI. He has a decent fastball that can crack 90, a splitter and a good curveball, according to soxprospects.com. He's held lefties to a .209 batting average this year (righties have hit .270 against him).

His overall stats at AA:

IP: 25.2
ERA: 1.05
Saves: 4
Hits: 20
ER: 3
K: 17
BB: 14
HR: 0
WHIP: 1.32

The K/BB is worrisome, but he keeps it in the park, and so far this year, he's an extreme GBer (3.64, and 2.62 last year in Wilmington) and a pretty good LD%. (15.0) Let's hope he continues it in Pawtucket.

In his AAA debut, Hertzler fired 3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, and earned the win.

A well earned promotion for a guy that worked hard for it. Congrats Barry

From the August 28 Pawtucket Times:

Ken Lipshez - Barry Hertzler happy playing for Portland


NEW BRITAIN - Former Central Connecticut State right-hander Barry Hertzler was riding on the big-time express when he hit a bump in the road in mid-August.
Hertzler, 25, was playing for coach Charlie Hickey's Blue Devils as recently as the spring of 2003. Here it was May 2006 and he was pitching for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, just miles from where he grew up in East Providence, R.I., just a 'T' ride from Fenway Park.

But on Aug.t 14, East Providence native Hertzler got the call that he was heading back to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Both his performance and attitude show that he hasn't flinched.

"Coming back down to Double-A is a great opportunity to go into the postseason with a bunch of winners," said Hertzler....

That's not just idle chatter. Hertzler, who pitched a scoreless frame in Sunday's rainfest against the Rock Cats, has pitched in six games since leaving Triple-A without yielding a run. In nine innings, he has permitted seven hits, walked three, struck out 10 and saved two games.

His split season in Portland has gone as follows: 0-0 record, 0.78 ERA, 5 saves in 22 games. At Pawtucket, he pitched in 25 games, logged a 4-2 mark, a 4.87 ERA and saved two games.

Portland manager Todd Claus has high grades for Hertzler.
"He goes about his business quietly but he wants the ball," Claus said. "He's got an introverted fire. He's a guy you can trust. Give him the ball and he's going to be into the baseball game. He interacts very well with his teammates but he's not an outspoken guy."