Cesar Hernandez, Infield, Seattle Mariners

Date of Birth: 5/28/1990
Birthplace: Valencia, Venezuela

Cesar Hernandez, infielder for the Seattle Mariners, was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in July, 2006, at the age of 16. He played in the Phillies' minor league system from 2007 through part of 2014. As a minor leaguer, he batted .294 with 704 hits, 241 RBIs, 155 stolen bases, and 386 strikeouts to 211 walks in 645 games. Defensively, he made 1,307 assists, 340 double plays, 995 putouts, and 68 errors at second base.

In 2013, Hernandez joined the Phillies for 34 games. During that time, he batted .289 with 35 hits. He batted .237 with 62 hits in 66 games in 2014. Defensively, he played in center field (in 2013) and at second base and third base.

Hernandez batted .272 in 127 games with the Phillies in 2015. He finished the season with 110 hits, 20 doubles, 19 stolen bases, and 35 RBIs. As a second baseman, he made 234 assists, 47 double plays, 132 putouts, and 6 errors.

Hernandez had a strong 2016 season, batting .294 in 155 games. He finished the season with 161 hits, 14 doubles, 11 triples, 17 stolen bases, and 39 RBIs. Defensively, as the Phillies' second baseman in 149 games, he made 390 assists, 102 double plays, 241 putouts, and 12 errors.

Hernandez had another good season in 2017, once again batting .294. He finished the season with 150 hits, a career high 26 doubles, 34 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, and 104 strikeouts to 61 walks in 128 games. Defensively, as the Phillies' second baseman in 127 games, he made 337 assists, 79 double plays, 224 putouts, and 11 errors.

Hernandez finished the 2018 season with 153 hits, 15 doubles, 15 home runs, 60 RBIs, 155 strikeouts to 95 walks, and a .253 batting average in 161 games. Defensively, as the Phillies' second baseman in 154 games, he made 378 assists, 92 double plays, 243 putouts, and 12 errors.

Hernandez finished the 2019 season with 171 hits, 31 doubles, 14 home runs, 71 RBIs, 100 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a .279 batting average in 161 games. Defensively, as the Phillies' second baseman in 157 games, he made 354 assists, 96 double plays, 271 putouts, and 12 errors.

Hernandez became a free agent on December 2, 2019. He signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Cleveland Indians on December 29th. He played in 58 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 66 hits, a league leading 20 doubles, 3 home runs, 20 RBIs, 57 strikeouts to 24 walks, and a .283 batting average. Defensively, he played well at second base, winning his first Gold Glove. In the postseason, he had 3 hits in 8 at-bats in 2 games.

Hernandez elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He re-signed with the Indians on January 29, 2021. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox on July 29, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 132 hits, 21 doubles, 21 home runs, 62 RBIs, 135 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a .232 batting average in 96 games with Cleveland and 53 games with the White Sox. Defensively, as a second baseman in 142 games, he made 303 assists, 73 double plays, 175 putouts, and 12 errors. In the postseason, he had 2 hits in 7 at-bats in 3 games.

Hernandez became a free agent on November 6, 2021. He signed with the Washington Nationals on November 30th.

Hernandez became a free agent again on November 6, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on January 30, 2023, and he was released on March 27th. He then signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on April 3rd. He elected free agency again on June 1st.

Career batting statistics for Hernandez through 2021 include:

• 1,039 games played
• 1,005 hits
• 154 doubles
• 81 stolen bases
• 335 RBIs
• 812 strikeouts to 408 walks
• .270 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Hernandez at second base through 2021 include:

• 896 games played
• 2,168 assists
• 529 double plays
• 1,387 putouts
• 71 errors
• .980 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Cesar Hernandez
ESPN - Cesar Hernandez
Baseball Reference - Cesar Hernandez