Dodgers: Enrique Hernandez deserves to start at third base
By Jason Reed
Enrique Hernandez is a fan favorite on the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2018, the super utility finally deserves to consistently make the starting nine.
I have a love-hate relationship with Enrique Hernandez. In prior seasons, Hernandez would consistently rise and fall in terms of production. If Hernandez was having a good game, he could slug three home runs with ease. If his swing was not finding the ball, he would go 0-4 with three strikeouts. Yet still, he is one of the fan favorites on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That fan favorite status was cemented in game five of the NLCS where Hernandez slugged three home runs and drove in seven runs in route to an 11-1 Dodgers victory. While that ultimately did not result in a World Series win, Hernandez became a star.
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He efforts for his home country, Puerto Rico, are admirable. He is lovable, funny and has been able to play every position for the Dodgers. At the very least he is a very useful clubhouse guy that can play anywhere; at his best, he is mashing left-handed fastballs.
At 26 years old, Hernandez is still finding his ceiling. He is entering his fourth season in Dodger blue, coming off of a season in which he played in a career-most 140 games. Hernandez hit just .215 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs; not necessarily starting lineup caliber numbers.
Against left-handers, he is a lot better. Hernandez hit .270 against southpaws, slugging 10 of his 11 home runs. In only seven less plate appearances against right-handers, Hernandez hit .159.
That is why he has been regarded as a platoon player. However, his Spring Training numbers are showing signs of promise. Leading one to think that he very well could be the guy to replace an injured Justin Turner at third base.
Hernandez is hitting .333 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in spring. Against the Angels, Hernandez hit a moon shot off of right-handed pitching Jamie Barria. While one at-bat is a bad way to solely base a players value, Hernandez has some of the best power on the Dodgers and could be huge right-handed bat alongside the power hitting lefties the Dodgers have.
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Overall, Enrique Hernandez should be more than a super utility for the Dodgers in 2018. To start the season, he should be the everyday third baseman. Sorry, Logan Forsythe, you can stay at second.