Blue Jays giving young Hernandez room to grow

BOSTON — One of the knocks against Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is he is supposedly an average outfielder defensively, though with a strong arm and good speed.

But you have to cut the 24-year-old some slack. Hernandez is still learning how to play all the outfield positions and, frankly, is still learning the nuances of the sport.

Though he’s from the baseball hotbed of Dominican Republic, Hernandez grew up playing basketball and volleyball and only started pursuing baseball seriously when he was signed as an international free agent by the Houston Astros in 2011 for all of $20,000. But it’s his athleticism and power potential that intrigues the Toronto front office and that’s why he is getting such a close look as a September call-up.

Hernandez is 6-2, 180 pounds and athletically gifted. But he is still learning how to play outfield.

“I played shortstop before I signed (with Houston),” Hernandez said this week.

Hernandez is slotted as the organization’s fifth-rated prospect, behind third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2B/SS Bo Bichette, outfielder Anthony Alford and shortstop Logan Warmoth.

“Anywhere they want me to play I’ll do my best and work hard,” he said. “Right now, my favourite position is centre. But I don’t care if they put me in left or right.”

Hernandez acknowledged he probably has a better opportunity of staying in the big leagues in Toronto than he would have in playoff-bound Houston.

Various scouting sites suggest Hernandez is capable of hitting 20-25 home runs a season and could play right field with his strong arm.

With the likelihood that Jose Bautista will not be back next season, the Jays may be hoping Hernandez improves enough to become a regular next season.