Enrique Hernandez, Outfield, Boston Red Sox

Date of Birth: 8/24/1991
Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nickname: Kike

Enrique Hernandez, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, began playing baseball at the age of six. He was first drafted by the Houston Astros in 2009. He played in the Astros' minor league system from 2009 through part of 2014. During that time, he had 530 hits, 111 doubles, 217 RBIs, and 259 strikeouts to 146 walks in 512 games. As a second baseman, he made 1,023 assists, 274 double plays, 747 putouts, and 50 errors in 368 games.

After 24 games with the Astros in 2014, Hernandez was traded to the Miami Marlins on July 31st. He then played in 18 games with the Marlins. On December 10, 2014, the Marlins traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2015, Hernandez batted .307 with 62 hits and 12 doubles in 76 games with the Dodgers. Defensively, he played all infield positions except for first base and all three outfield positions. In 13 at-bats in 4 postseason games, he batted .308 with 4 hits and 1 stolen base.

Hernandez had a poor offensive season in 2016, batting just .190 in 109 games. Defensively, he played at second base, third base, and shortstop, and in all three outfield positions. In the postseason, he had no hits in 8 at-bats in 6 games.

Offensively, Hernandez was only slightly better in 2017 than he was in 2016. In 140 games with the Dodgers, he batted .215 with 64 hits, 24 doubles, 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 80 strikeouts to 41 walks. Defensively, he was a perfect utility player, playing all infield and outfield positions.

Hernandez fared better in the 2017 postseason, finishing with 8 hits, including 3 home runs and 1 double, and 8 RBIs in 25 at-bats in 13 games. In Game 5 of the National League Championship series, he hit his 3 home runs, including a grand slam. He drove in the game tying run in the 10th inning of Game 2 of the World Series.

Hernandez finished the 2018 season with 103 hits, 17 doubles, 21 home runs, 52 RBIs, 78 strikeouts to 50 walks, and a 2.56 batting average in 145 games. Defensively, he played all infield and outfield positions except for right field. He also pitched in one game. In the postseason, he batted .122 with 5 hits, 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases, and 3 RBIs in 41 at-bats in 15 games. He struck out 14 times and walked 5 times.

Hernandez spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left hand sprain. He finished the season with 98 hits, 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 64 RBIs, 97 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a .237 batting average. Defensively, he played all infield and outfield positions. In the postseason, he had 3 hits, including a double and a home run, 3 RBIs, 2 strikeouts to 1 walk, and a .429 batting average in 7 at-bats in 3 games.

Hernandez played in 48 games in 2020. He finished the season with 32 hits, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 20 RBIs, 31 strikeouts to 6 walks, and a .230 batting average. Defensively, he played 2 games at first base, 30 games at second base, 2 games at shortstop, 5 games in left field, 3 games in center field, and 9 games in right field. In the postseason, he batted .214 with 6 hits, 2 home runs, and 4 RBIs in 28 at-bats in 17 games.

Hernandez became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Red Sox on February 2, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 127 hits, 34 doubles, 20 home runs, 60 RBIs, 110 strikeouts to 61 walks, and a .250 batting average in 134 games. In the postseason, he had 20 hits, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 49 at-bats in 11 games.

Personal Life

Hernandez's father was a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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