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Dodgers: 3 internal options that could fill Kiké Hernandez’s role

By Thomas Carannante |
Zach McKinstry - Los Angeles Dodgers(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Zach McKinstry - Los Angeles Dodgers(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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When Kiké Hernandez officially left the Los Angeles Dodgers to sign with the Boston Red Sox, almost every fan would tell you it was a gut punch even though they knew he wasn’t coming back.

In some ways, Hernandez was among the most instrumental figures on this Dodgers team ever since their run of dominance began.

He’d been with the franchise since 2015, provided an ebullient personality, delivered clutch hits and was a Swiss Army knife on defense.

We could sit here all day and ponder why the Dodgers didn’t just give him the two-year, $14 million contract that the Red Sox did, but there’s no sense in doing that.

We need to look ahead and determine who could fill the role he executed admirably for six years.

Believe it or not, the Dodgers actually have some guys on the 40-man roster who could potentially be that guy.

However, how seamless the transition would be and how long it would last are two completely different stories. But let’s just focus on 2021 for now and see where that gets us.

These three Los Angeles Dodgers could fill the role left behind by Kiké Hernandez.

Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

3. Chris Taylor

We’re not breaking any news to you on this front, but Chris Taylor is the obvious option to secure a stranglehold on the utility role in 2021. The only problem? He’s a free agent after this season, so the Dodgers will likely have to ease one of the next two options into action in order to make a smooth transition in the future.

Part of the Dodgers’ identity is possessing that all-around scrappy ball player who can provide a pesky at-bat and slot in almost anywhere defensively when an overarching lineup change needs to be made. Chris Taylor has played that part alongside Hernandez since 2017 and he’s largely done a great job, save for his really, really bad showing in the 2020 postseason.

  • 2017: 4.5 WAR and 4 DRS
  • 2018: 3.9 WAR and 5 DRS
  • 2019: 1.7 WAR and -1 DRS
  • 2020: 2.1 WAR and 5 DRS

Don’t forget, the man is playing second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield spots (but mostly center and left) when called upon. He’s first in line to take on this role, but then we have a question about depth. What if AJ Pollock’s injury troubles pop up again? That’ll likely entrench Taylor in left field, which could give way to these next few guys.

Sheldon Neuse #64 of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Sheldon Neuse #64 of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

2. Sheldon Neuse

Not too long ago, the Dodgers traded reliever Adam Kolarek to the Oakland Athletics and one of the players they got back in the deal was Sheldon Neuse, who is currently on the 40-man roster.

Though Neuse primarily played third base during his time in the minor leagues, when the A’s brought him up in 2019 they used him much more at second base. Pretty weird, especially since the 26-year-old mostly played shortstop in college! He’s logged some time there in the minors as well, and has been used sparingly in the outfield as recently as 2019.

Throw in the fact he’s got a pretty nice bat, and the fit is there as long as he continues to progress. He’s only appeared in 25 MLB games, so there’s plenty of room to grow and he’ll have to prove himself this spring, but who wouldn’t be excited about a .294 batting average and .812 OPS across 414 career minor league games, which featured an impressive campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019.

The righty slugger was among the top-ranked hitters in the A’s system before making his debut, but because of his background at third base, he was traded likely due to the presence of Matt Chapman. The Dodgers could’ve seen some potential with his versatility, which makes him among the candidates to work toward replacing Hernandez.

Zach McKinstry, Dodgers News (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Zach McKinstry, Dodgers News (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

1. Zach McKinstry

Speaking of impressive 2019 campaigns, Zach McKinstry put one together and had his momentum capped by the year we hate to talk about. Though he did make his MLB debut in 2020 after the Dodgers put him on their taxi squad, he only received seven at-bats in four games because … where would there be playing time for him in a shortened 60-game season?

But 2021 is a new chapter for the 25-year-old. McKinstry is ready to make his mark, telling reporters at spring training that he would love to fill the role left behind by Hernandez, and fans should love his outlook.

He’s a lefty bat, which is always helpful, but he’s a true utility player based on his exposure in the minor leagues. Unlike Taylor, who came up as a middle infielder, and Neuse, who spent most of his time at third base, McKinstry has almost been equally spread across second, short and third in addition to getting outfield reps in recent years.

Not bad for a 33rd-round pick, who made his pro debut in 2016 before making his way to the Dodgers roster in 2020. He’s largely improved over the years too, seemingly getting better at each level save for a few minor hiccups along the way.

He just discovered his power stroke in 2019, too, slugging 19 bombs and 78 RBI across 121 games in Double-A and Triple-A. Look for him to turn some heads at spring training assuming the 2020 lull hasn’t affected his momentum and progression.

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