Hernandez stands out
On a star-studded Dodgers team, he’s emerging as MVP
While the Dodgers celebrated a sixth straight National League West title last Monday that appeared improbable just a few days earlier, manager Dave Roberts heaped lofty praise on one of the players who powered the September push.
“When you’re talking about MVP of the ballclub,” Roberts said, “he’s right there at the top of the conversation.”
Stars, budding and blossomed, cram the Dodgers’ expensive roster. Clayton Kershaw. Kenley Jansen. Justin Turner. Manny Machado. Walker Buehler. But Roberts wasn’t referring to one of the 13 players on his then-40-man roster who have appeared in at least one All-Star Game. He was complimenting Enrique Hernandez, the spirited glove-first super utility man who morphed into an offensive force over the previous five weeks.
Hernández continued tormenting pitchers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Braves on Friday at Dodger Stadium, belting a solo home run off right-hander Brad Brach and drawing a walk. He then went 0-for-3 in Game 2 — the first time he went hitless playing an entire game since Sept. 12 — but is still batting .366 with four home runs and a 1.041 OPS in 32 games since Aug. 26.
The breakout has elevated Hernández — at least temporarily — to a title that had eluded him as a majorleaguer: every-day player.
“I think for like three years now everybody knows what I can do with my glove and my arm or The Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez stepped up his game this season just in time to become a postseason force. Dodgers lead 2-0 G1: Dodgers 6, Braves 0 G2: Dodgers 3, Braves 0 G3: Dodgers at Braves, late G4: Dodgers at Braves 4:30 p.m. Monday, FS1 G5: Braves at Dodgers 8:07 p.m. Wednesday, FS1 Games 4-5 if necessary whatever,” the 27-year-old Hernandez said before Game 2. “But it was about putting it together at the plate. And the last two or three years I’ve been fighting myself, fighting my brain … wanting to play every day really bad and not really focusing on the big picture … and you know, with the years with failure, you learn a lot.”
Long limited to starts against left-handers, Hernandez is mashing righties too. He’s walked as much as he’s struck out (14 times each) and accumulated 10 multihit games in his last 28 starts while playing seven positions during his torrid stretch, one Roberts attributed to mechanical and approach adjustments Hernandez has implemented.
Hernandez has become a star-level performer on a team filled with them. He credited Chase Utley — his team dad — for unearthing his success by helping him develop his work ethic, but the talent was there. It was on display when he slugged three home runs against the Cubs in Game 5 of the NLCS a year ago, when his playing time was less consistent. It took three years, but he’s an every-day presence now, one the Dodgers will depend on for as long as this playoff run goes.
“At first, it was whatever to get to the major leagues,” Hernandez said. “And then it was whatever to help establish myself. And now I’m used to the role. I’m still doing it. At the end of the day I just want to be in the lineup, whether it’s playing one position or a few positions. ... As long as I’m in the lineup every day.”