Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are likely to have other plans for Teoscar Hernández, he was ranked by MLB Network’s The Shredder on its list of the Top-10 Right Fielders Right Now for the 2024 season.
Hernández checked in at No. 8 on the rankings, and he earned the 10th and final spot on MLB Network analyst Sarah Langs’ list. Mike Petriello and Vince Gennaro did not include Hernández on their respective lists of the best right fielders in baseball.
Every year The Shredder focuses on a three-year sample to compile rankings. For this season’s version, the 2023 campaign was weighted more heavily than years. It factored in statistics such as WAR and wRC+, along with Statcast metrics.
Mookie Betts was ranked No. 2 last year but with the Dodgers now planning to play him at second base, he was not considered for this year’s list. Neither were Aaron Judge or Bryce Harper due to their respective position changes as well.
That snaps Betts’ streak of being ranked by The Shredder as one of the top-10 right fielders in baseball at eight consecutive seasons in a row, with each of those being a top-five finish.
Atlanta Braves MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. received the mantle as the best right fielder in baseball from The Shredder and all three analysts.
Meanwhile, The Shredder previously ranked Hernández eighth heading into the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well. But the Dodgers intend to primarily play him in left field, which Hernández said he is willing to do.
Offensively, has at least 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons, and last year ranked in the 82nd percentile in sprint speed, 88th for barrel rate and 90th in hard hit percentage.
Hernández appeared to struggle from playing at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park and had somewhat of a down season that saw him hit .258/.305/.435 with 29 doubles, 26 home runs, 93 RBI, a 106 OPS+, .317 wOBA and 105 wRC+.
The Dodgers and Hernández are confident he will benefit from not needing to hit in Seattle and help bring balance to the lineup when facing left-handed pitching.
MLB Top-10 Right Fielders Right Now for 2024
George Springer (Blue Jays) | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Vince Gennaro | Sarah Langs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) |
2 | Kyle Tucker (Astros) | Juan Soto (Yankees) | Juan Soto (Yankees) | Juan Soto (Yankees) |
3 | Juan Soto (Yankees) | Kyle Tucker (Astros) | Kyle Tucker (Astros) | Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) |
4 | Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) | Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) | Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) | Kyle Tucker (Astros) |
5 | Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres) | Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres) | Adolis García (Rangers) | Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres) |
6 | Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) | Adolis García (Rangers) | Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres) | Adolis García (Rangers) |
7 | George Springer (Blue Jays) | Josh Lowe (Rays) | Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) | Jorge Soler (free agent) |
8 | Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers) | Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) | Josh Lowe (Rays) | Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) |
9 | Adolis García (Rangers) | Max Kepler (Twins) | Anthony Santander (Orioles) | Josh Lowe (Rays) |
10 | Josh Lowe (Rays) | George Springer (Blue Jays) | Jordan Walker (Cardinals) | Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers) |
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