Los Angeles Dodgers: Players that will disappoint in 2020
By Jason Reed
1. Enrique Hernandez
Enrique Hernandez is a fan-favorite on the Los Angeles Dodgers because of his quirky personality, giving him a unique ability to connect with the fans. Hernandez is more than just personality, though, as he has been a key utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing all around the diamond with great fielding.
Hernandez has had some huge moments as well. His career-defining moment was hitting three home runs against the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 NLCS in what was the Dodgers’ first pennant-clinching game since 1988.
While Hernandez certainly provides value in his versatility and his bat against left-handed pitching, I think we are going to start seeing a lot less of Hernandez this season. Chris Taylor fits into the same utility role, and as the better hitter, will probably get more playing time than Hernandez.
If the Dodgers stay healthy, which they won’t, injuries happen, then it is hard to see envision Hernandez and Taylor both getting ample playing time. Joc Pederson and A.J. Pollock already have a great platoon in left, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts will be near-everyday guys and Justin Turner, Corey Seager and Max Muncy will all be playing almost every day.
There is the opening of platooning at second base with rookie Gavin Lux, but that role very well could go to Taylor.
The Dodgers signed Taylor to a two-year contract prior to this season and did not sign anything with Hernandez, who is a free agent this year. Hernandez will be very valuable to any team once he becomes a free agent and I don’t think he is in the Dodgers’ long-term plans.
Because of that, we will start to see Hernandez used less and less.