Pitcher Xavier Hernandez graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, where he earned All-State pitching honors and led the team to the Class 5A state title in 1983, with a 19-1 record. He was named the Texas High School Player of the Year. 

 

Hernandez was drafted out of Southwestern Louisiana in the fourth round by the Toronto Blue Jays and then moved to the Houston Astros in 1989. Primarily a relief pitcher, he remained with the Astros until 1993 when he was traded to the New York Yankees for pitcher Domingo Jean and infielder Andy Stankiewicz. He subsequently played for both the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers before retiring. His best year was in 1992 when he posted a 9-1 record with 7 saves and a 2.11 ERA. 

 

He coached in the professional ranks with the Tampa Bay Rays in the Minor Leagues from 2002-2010, where he was the pitching coach for the Charleston Riverdogs (2002-2004), Montgomery (AL) Biscuits (2005-2006) and Durham Bulls (2007-2010).

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He is currently the pitching coach for Houston Baptist University.