Dodgers View Teoscar Hernández as Everyday Outfielder, Says GM Brandon Gomes
Newest Dodgers’ outfielder Teoscar Hernández was officially introduced to the Los Angeles media on Tuesday via Zoom.
While the addition of Hernández seemed to address the vacant spot in the Dodgers’ lineup as the everyday left fielder, the 31-year-old was asked how he expected to fill in for L.A. this season.
“I consider myself an everyday player,” Hernández said. “At the same time I’m going to be available for any decision they make.”
Hernández did say he’s always been more comfortable in right field, but made it clear he’ll do whatever is asked of him next season.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes — who spoke with the media after Hernández — didn’t have a firm answer on where the newest Dodger would be playing. But he did make it clear that they envision him as an everyday outfielder.
“Our assumption and what we’re planning on is Teo being an everyday guy,” Gomes said. “It could look different versus right, versus left. But we certainly view Teo as an everyday outfielder for us.”
With Hernández likely being an everyday outfielder, Gomes said that Mookie Betts — who manager Dave Roberts announced as the everyday second baseman during the Winter Meetings — would be playing “a vast majority” of his games at second base.
Hernández being an everyday player makes sense considering he hits both right- and left-handed pitching well.
In 2,175 career at-bats against righties, Hernández is slashing .256/.312/.460 with a .772 OPS and a 93 OPS+.
In 770 career at-bats against southpaws, Hernández is slashing .275/.329/.557 with an OPS of .887 and an OPS+ of 119.
What Position Will Teoscar Hernández Play with the Dodgers?
As for where he’ll be playing, Hernández has never been known as a plus-defender, but he does have experience all over the outfield. Hernández has appeared in 446 games in right field, 239 games in left field and 110 games in center field across his eight-year big-league career.
Although Hernández said he feels most comfortable in right, Gomes made it sound like Hernández would likely be playing left field against right-handed pitching, and could take over in right field against left-handed pitching when Jason Heyward sits. Then, Manuel Margot and Chris Taylor could fill out the rest of the outfield.
Fortunately, the Dodgers don’t have to make those decisions yet, as they have a full spring training to figure the specifics out. But one thing is certain: Expect to see a lot of Teoscar Hernández next season.
Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
