Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Kiké To Get Plenty of Work

With the slew of injuries that have struck the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training, one of the most important players for the team might be utility man Kiké Hernández. The Dodgers acquired Hernández in the Dee Gordon trade last offseason, and he paid off this past season.

The versatile Hernández hit .307 with 7 home runs, 22 runs batted in, and 12 doubles. The hope is that he can become an everyday player somewhere, but as of right now he’s seen more as a super-sub who can play second, shortstop, third, and any of the outfield positions. The value he brings is astronomical.



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From Patrick Brewer at Baseball Essential dot com:

With the injury problems and/or age of Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Justin Turner, Adrian Gonzalez, and Howie Kendrick, it seems pretty clear that Hernandez will get plenty of playing time over the course of the season. No other team is counting on depth the way the Dodgers are in 2016. If the Dodgers hope to once again hold off the San Francisco Giants in the NL West, Hernandez is going to have to be a big part of it.

According to Patrick Brewer over at Baseball Essential, the unprecedented versatility that Hernández brings makes him one of the “Six Most Important Utility Players for 2016.” And Brewer is not wrong. Hernández is highly important to the team’s possible success this season. How so, you ask?

Well, no one else on the team provides the type of ability to move seamlessly between positions as Hernández does. By playing the six positions that he can play, he allows the Dodgers to get rest days for several players if needed. On top of that, Hernández has swung the bat well with the Dodgers.

There’s no telling how Hernández will do this season, but the Man In The Banana Suit will always have a place on the team as one of the most vital cogs. He can play six different positions, play them adequately enough, and swing the bat quite well. Teams would kill for a player like that. The Dodgers already have one.

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