Los Angeles Dodgers: Five bold predictions for 2018
By Jason Reed
3. Enrique Hernandez will have an increased role in 2018
For a couple of seasons now Enrique Hernandez has been the Dodgers resident super utility and locker room jokester. Hernandez has developed a pretty big following on the Dodgers due to his humor and play style, despite never being an everyday starter. His popularity is at an all-time high after the 2017 postseason and fans will only get more of Hernandez in 2018.
Hernandez’ biggest asset to the Los Angeles Dodgers is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. While he is by no means a world beater, when he is hot at the plate he can easily make opposing pitchers pay. The entire world saw this in game five of the NLCS when Hernandez blasted three home runs in route to the Dodgers winning the National League Pennant.
Hernandez’ overall numbers are not very appealing, though. Last season the super utility appeared in 140 games at seven different positions. In 297 at-bats Hernandez hit just .215 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs.
However, his .270 batting average against southpaws is what keeps him afloat in the MLB and his .256 batting average in September and October show signs of improvement. That improvement will only carry over into 2018 and fans will begin to see a lot more of Hernandez.
Right now, the Dodgers are looking at either Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson or Matt Kemp to start in left field. Toles is the best option, but it left-handed. Kemp is a right-handed option but does not hit southpaws as efficiently as Hernandez and may not even make it to Opening Day.
Throw in the fact that the Dodgers have no backup to Logan Forsythe or Cody Bellinger and Hernandez is primed to see a lot of playing time in 2018.