The Los Angeles Dodgers have valued depth and versatility in recent years, and perhaps no one has epitomized that more than Kiké Hernandez.
He can potentially be a starting shortstop on many teams throughout the league but has bought into his utility role with the Dodgers, playing wherever necessary to help his team win.
That role changed a bit in 2019 as the Dodgers were without a starting second baseman in place at the outset of Spring Training, and it was Hernandez who eventually went on to win the job.
Hernandez got off to a hot start at the plate in April, but eventually cooled off and had a streaky offensive season. His defense didn’t diminish though, which kept him on the field at various positions when Max Muncy and Gavin Lux essentially took over second base duties.
The 28-year-old filled in as the team’s shortstop when Corey Seager and Chris Taylor were on the injured list. However, Hernandez then went down with a hand injury of his own that cost him almost a month of action at the end of July and August.
Overall in 130 games for the Dodgers in 2019, Hernandez hit .237/.304/.411 with 17 home runs, 19 doubles, 57 runs scored and a career-high 64 RBI. He was actually one of the team’s hotter bats going into the postseason and in three National League Division Series games against the Washington Nationals, Hernandez went 3-for-7 with a walk, home run and three RBI.
2019 highlight
On Aug. 22, a sold-out crowd was on-hand at Dodger Stadium for a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, which was also Hernandez’s bobblehead night.
The Dodgers went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 2-0 with only one hit in the boxscore. They were able to get a rally going as Max Muncy walked to begin the inning, and then Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game.
It then was Hernandez that sent the fans home happy on his bobblehead night, hitting his first career walk-off in the form of a single up the middle to bring home Seager and secure the 3-2 victory.
2020 outlook
Hernandez is entering his final season of being arbitration-eligible before reaching free agency next winter and is projected to make $5.5 million. It is possible the Dodgers trade him this winter considering the other utility options on the roster, but if that doesn’t happen, he will likely play a similar role in 2020 as years passed.
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