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Red Sox Prospect Watch: Players starting to heat up

By Mike El-Far

Mar 11, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Rafael Devers (74) throws to first base in the first inning of a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Rafael Devers (74) throws to first base in the first inning of a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Marco Hernandez (40) reacts after being hit by a pitch thrown by Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Donnie Hart (58) in the ninth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Marco Hernandez (40) reacts after being hit by a pitch thrown by Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Donnie Hart (58) in the ninth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Red Sox

Remember that top 10 prospect I referenced in the previous slide? The one who seems to be staying in Boston long-term due to the Sandoval injury? That would be none other than Marco Hernandez.

Hernandez, who is a natural middle infielder, has the ability to be a super-utility player. Think of him as a Dominican Brock Holt. With Holt already on the DL due to vertigo, this is when Hernandez can shine.

The reports on Sandoval’s knee are coming in, and they do not look good. Below is a tweet that has John Farrell‘s prognosis on the injury:

When your manager says essentially “Yeah I have no clue”, that is never a good sign. For Hernandez, this could be the break he needs to crack the everyday lineup. Even with the fiasco in Baltimore over the weekend, Pedroia wasn’t injured enough to warrant a DL stint.

Also, Xander Bogaerts has the 3rd best average on the team, so Hernandez won’t be playing short anytime soon. When Dombrowski traded away Travis Shaw in the offseason, many saw it as trading Panda’s only third base competition away.

But, in his limited MLB time, Hernandez has proven to be a great piece of the roster due to his versatility. In 40 games last year, he hit a shade under .300. Already in 14 games this season, he is hitting .286. While he isn’t going to win a batting title anytime soon, it does show his potential.

Realistically, Hernandez will play 3B against RHP, while Josh Rutledge plays against LHP. Is Hernandez is the future at third base? No, he is not. But the future of third base is in Portland, and will not be ready to play this year. For now, Marco Hernandez has an opportunity many players dream of.

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