Teoscar Hernández’s September revival strengthens Dodgers’ battered offence
After struggling following a left hamstring strain, Hernández has improved his swing decisions and power as the Dodgers manage key absences with the playoffs approaching.
Teoscar Hernández has regained his offensive form at a critical point in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season, giving the team added depth as several key players remain unavailable or limited.
Fox Sports reported that Hernández’s improvement followed a difficult period after he was placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain on 29 May. He had recorded a .785 OPS before the injury, but posted a .592 OPS from 29 June to 29 August, among the lowest marks for qualified MLB hitters during that span.
His September numbers point to a more selective approach at the plate. Hernández’s chase rate has fallen from 36.7 per cent to 24.8 per cent, while his walk rate has increased from 4.3 per cent to 15.1 per cent. His strikeout rate has also dropped from 31.2 per cent to 18.9 per cent, according to Fox Sports.
The change has been matched by greater contact quality. His hard-hit rate rose from 34.5 per cent in July to 47.5 per cent in August and 60 per cent in September. His average exit velocity of 96.6 miles per hour is the highest monthly mark of his career, while eight of his 10 hardest-hit balls this season have come in the past two weeks.
Hernández’s resurgence comes with Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages sidelined and Freddie Freeman dealing with knee soreness. With the playoffs approaching, his return to form gives the Dodgers another functioning part of an offence that struggled through much of the summer.
