While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ search for starting pitching has been well documented, the uncertainty at second base has largely flown under the radar.
Howie Kendrick appears unlikely to re-sign, Chase Utley re-signed on a one-year contract, and Jose Peraza is now with the Cincinnati Reds as part of a three-team trade that involved the Chicago White Sox.
Weeks prior to trading the speedy utility man and signing Utley, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman named Kiké Hernandez and Peraza as internal options to start at second base next season.
Although having just turned 37 years old on Thursday, Utley is entering the 2016 season with the mindset to play as many games as possible. In their losing Peraza, Micah Johnson, one of the three prospects the Dodgers received from the White Sox, fits the mold of a young option at second base.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News, the Dodgers’ current roster lends to Hernandez, Johnson and Utley all being part of the picture to start at second base:
If season began tomorrow, Chase Utley, Micah Johnson and Kiké Hernandez would all be in the mix for starts/innings at second base. #Dodgers
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 16, 2015
Hernandez bounced around for the Dodgers last season, logging time at second base (20 games; 15 starts), center field (19 games; 18 starts), left field (17 games; five starts), shortstop (16 games; 11 starts), right field (two games; one start) and third base (one start).
He became a fixture in center field during the second half of the season as Joc Pederson continued to slump at the plate. On top of providing defensive versatility, Hernandez hit well — batting .307/.346/.490 with seven home runs, 12 doubles, 22 RBIs, a .359 wOBA and 132 wRC+.
After waiving his no-trade clause, Utley spent 34 largely uneventful games with the Dodgers. He primarily filled in for Kendrick at second base and also made three starts at third.
Utley faces a two-game suspension for his hard slide in Game 2 of the National League Division Series that broke New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg.
Since being drafted by the White Sox in 2012, Johnson exclusively played second base as he worked his way up their Minor League system. The 25 year old made his Major-League debut and appeared in 36 games with Chicago last season, including 32 starts at second base.
Johnson hit .230/.306/.270 with four doubles, four RBIs, 30 strikeouts and nine walks in 114 plate appearances. He was successful on three of five stolen base attempts.
