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Dodgers Roster Preview 2017: The Outfield

By Evan Lovett

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) and right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) before playing against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) and right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) before playing against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Kike Hernandez runs to first after hitting an RBI single against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Kike Hernandez runs to first after hitting an RBI single against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Kike Hernandez

The center fielder is likely to make the team as the main utility player. This comes due to his ability to play anywhere on the diamond aside from first base, pitcher and catcher.

Over his 109 games in 2016, he made starts at six positions.

The problem is that he only batted .190.

2015 was perhaps more indicative of his talent as the former sixth-round draft choice batted .307 with an .836 OPS.  He also destroys Madison Bumgarner, something that not too many players in the entire league can claim.

He is neither the player that hit .190 nor the player that chalked up a .307 average. But anything nestled between the two extremes will make him a valuable asset for the Dodgers presumed postseason run in 2017.

Labeled a prime bounce-back candidate, there’s a lot love. Dave Roberts would just like to see him keep his head down and his hustle high.

Next: Will Dodgers Trade Andre Ethier?

It is worth noting that if somebody outperforms expectations and there is an injury or two, the Dodgers’ brass can sleep well knowing they have a player like Hernandez.

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