Teoscar Hernández Excited to Play With, Learn From Superstars in Dodgers’ Lineup
The spending spree the Dodgers’ front office used to upgrade its roster this winter is without precedent in Major League Baseball. It’s an impressive display of Guggenheim Baseball’s financial might, and it demonstrates a long-term determination to win.
The Dodgers’ most recent big signing, outfielder Teoscar Hernández, will become their everyday left fielder. Hernández provides the Dodgers with a power-hitting right-handed bat in the lineup. After Mookie Betts, it was the rare weak point on the roster.
Hernández recently spoke to SportsNet LA about playing alongside some of the best players in the league. He shared that he’s excited to learn from his teammates, and continue growing his own game at age 31.
“I never had the chance to play with a lot of superstars like the way the Dodgers have right now,” Hernández said. “(The 2021 Blue Jays) had great, great players. But the Dodgers have some extra, extra good players. Really good players. Players I’m gonna learn from. And I’m really excited to play in the same field, in the same lineup with Mookie (Betts), (Freddie) Freeman, (Max) Muncy, (Will) Smith, (Shohei) Ohtani and to watch (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto pitch.”
Compared to other teams, where he might have been a centerpiece in the lineup, Hernández does not have to be anything more than himself with the Dodgers. He won’t need to carry the offensive burden on most nights.
That was the case at times last year, Hernández’s lone season with the Seattle Mariners. The result? A .741 OPS (a career low) and 211 strikeouts (a career high) in 160 games.
Hitting behind Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani will create more opportunities to drive in runs, which Hernández believes might help his patience at the plate. He was an American League All-Star in 2021, and perhaps being in a better lineup will help him stand out among National League outfielders in 2024.
Slotting him in the back half of a lineup is a luxury for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and a scary thought for opposing pitchers.
Fans should love Hernández’s energy on the field, and his game likely will translate to making Dodger Stadium even more electric. His goal is to win a World Series, and Los Angeles looks like a good place to achieve that goal.
Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
