Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernandez enjoyed a career year at the plate in 2018, setting career highs in games played (145), home runs (21), RBI (52), runs scored (67) and walks (50) while batting .256/.336/.470.
Hernandez reported to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training this year looking to build off that season and earn an everyday role, and after a successful showing, accomplished exactly that. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Hernandez would start at second base, with Chris Taylor moving around.
Hernandez hit .300/.368/.540 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI over 16 Cactus League games. One reason for Hernandez’s success so far may have to do with some changes he made at the plate this past offseason while working with the Dodgers hitting coaches, via Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
So Hernandez, 28, set out to do what most players don’t dare after a career season — he tinkered with his swing. After Christmas, he went to work with new Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc and hitting strategist Brant Brown at Dodger Stadium on Monday through Friday alongside several teammates.
They sought to clean Hernandez’s mechanics. He tweaked his lower and upper halves. The result, Hernandez said, is “somewhat of a new swing.”
If this spring is any indication of what is to come from Hernandez in 2019, then he could be in for an All-Star-caliber season for the Dodgers. One aspect to watch will be if he can continue to fare well against right-handed pitchers.
