Boston Red Sox call-up PTBNL Marco Hernandez
By Rick McNair
The Boston Red Sox have called up PTBNL Marco Hernandez from Pawtucket.
For the Boston Red Sox fans and media, the big news was Blake Swihart being optioned (demoted) to Pawtucket, where he will work on his catching skills and be given some playing time at other positions – most notably left field. When someone drives south on I-95 – a hellacious roadway – someone drives north and that someone is Marco Hernandez who I have been following for awhile. Check off that as part of my underdog facination.
Hernandez is a rare find indeed since he is a PTBNL (Player To Be Named Later) which is baseball terminology for discussing who will be exchanged in a trade. The Chicago Cubs received Felix Doubront and after the season ended sent Hernandez to Boston to complete the deal.
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Most PTBNL become simple baseball fodder and go nowhere. Occasional gems do surface such as Coco Crisp and David Ortiz. Harry Chiti was once the PTBNL for himself and so have several others.
Hernandez is a left-hand hitting 23-year-old from the Dominican who is most noted for playing short and second with the occasional action at third. In 2015, Hernandez moved to Pawtucket after slashing .326/.349/.482 in 68 games for Portland in the Eastern League Double-A. Hernandez also made the EL All-Star team.
With Pawtucket in 2015 Hernandez started slow and then made the adjustment to finish with a .271 average in 46 games. Hernandez also does have some punch and hit nine home runs, 30 doubles and six triples for his two team 2015 total. Hernandez was also moved to the 40 man roster.
This spring training Hernandez caught fire and obviously left an impression by slashing .579/.619/.895 in 14 games and leading the Red Sox spring training hitters in doubles with six. Off to Pawtucket and now to Boston.
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How long Hernandez stays may only be a few games, but expect him eventually to stay in Boston or find employment elsewhere. Hernandez has a solid bat, reasonable speed and can play multiple positions, but do not expect any Gold Gloves. The Red Sox have also added reserve infielder Josh Rutledge to the roster when they placed Pablo Sandoval on the DL and that may be a duplication of services.
Sources: baseball-reference