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Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández has been a productive defensive presence at any position he is called upon.
Especially with some of the depth issues LA has battled through this season, Hernández has been plugged in at first, second, and third base, as well as left and centerfield. Not to mention, Hernández has made five appearances as a relief pitcher this season when the situation allows it.
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Hernández spoke to Dodgers Insider’s Megan Garcia about a goal that he still has yet to achieve during his MLB career, and something that a player he used to mentor in Houston Astros infielder Mauricio Dubon achieved in 2023: the Utility Gold Glove award.
“When [Dubon] won the Gold Glove, he actually sent me a text and said, ‘Thank you for the help.’ He said I played a big part in him being able to win the utility Gold Glove,” Hernández said. “That was a pretty cool moment for me. Even though a Gold Glove has been a goal and a dream of mine my entire life, to be able to have somebody say that I helped them get one, it’s still pretty cool.”
Hernández had an unlikely catalyst that launched his career into the utility route, and that was Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
While Hernández was still in Houston’s farm system as a second baseman, he was close to breaking out in 2014, but there was quite a blockage in the form of an All-Star Altuve looking more and more like the future of the franchise in Texas.
This forced Hernández to get better at providing his services wherever he was needed, and led to his July 1st, 2014 debut. The 2014 season was a campaign where Hernández played at shortstop, left field, and center field.
To Hernández, though, being the Swiss army knife for the Dodgers is more than just the role he has carved out for himself, but rather a part of his identity.
“It’s kind of become part of who I am. I’m just not getting used to playing in one spot, and I guess it keeps things interesting for me. But other than that, it’s just another day of work.”
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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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