Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Teoscar Hernández joined the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2024 season looking to rebound after a down year with the Seattle Mariners.
Since putting on the Dodger Blue, Hernández has become known for his clutch hitting, ability to drive in runs and success during big moments.
Hernández played a key role in the Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series, and this year he has helped carry the offense, leading the team in RBI and providing more consistency than anyone else in the lineup thus far.
With two outs and runners in scoring position, Hernández is hitting .579 with a 1.632 on-base plus slugging percentage in 19 plate appearances. In situations when the Dodgers are trailing, he’s hitting .342 with a .971 OPS, and in high leverage spots, his .899 OPS is better than his .867 OPS in low leverage.
“I think the bottom line is he’s just not afraid to fail,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “When you’re in big spots and you’re not afraid to fail, that’s a superpower.
“And you know with that, he’s always got a good frame of mind, he’s aggressive, and the moment never gets too big for him.”
In 2024, Hernández was also at his best with two outs and a runner in scoring position as he hit .306 with a .939 OPS in 101 plate appearances.
He was just better in general with runners in scoring position as he batted .288/.396/.547, compared to .269/.325/.502 with no one on base.
“In big situations, I just try to be simple, make contact,” Hernández said. “When you make contact, good things happen. So not trying to put some so many things in my head and just see the ball, hit the ball.”
The approach has worked as Hernández leads MLB in RBI with 33, tied with New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, who has played in two more games.
The 32-year-old finished his 2024 season with 99 RBI, and Hernández is on pace for 172 this season. While he almost certainly won’t get to that mark, he should easily clear 100, and perhaps break his previous career-best of 116 RBI in 2021.
Teoscar Hernández reducing strikeout rate
After striking out in roughly 29% of his at-bats last season, which was in line with his career, Hernández has struck out in just 19% of his at-bats this season.
With two strikes, he’s hitting .292/.333/.415 compared to .202/.259/.357 last season and .172/.229/.306 for his career.
Even with that significant increase in production with two strikes, Roberts does not believe Hernández has changed his approach at all in those situations.
“No, not necessarily this year,” Roberts said. “I think that even last year, I mean, he drove in a ton of runs for us, got big hits. Certain guys really value the RBI, and can get a hit when you need to. I just can’t see anyone right now being better than him in a game.
“He’s got a lot of two up hits for us, and he has ability to shorten his swing when he needs to to move the ball forward. And like I said, the moment never gets too big for him. But when there’s guys in scoring position, he’s smelling ribbies.”
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