Red Sox need to stop sending Marco Hernandez down to Triple-A
Marco Hernandez has experienced a number of stints with the Boston Red Sox but needs to stop being sent down to the minors in order to make his mark.
Since joining the Boston Red Sox organization five years ago, Marco Hernandez has endured a pretty difficult time, to say the least. Having made brief stints in Boston over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, his career has never really had a fair shot in the majors.
Having sustained a tough shoulder injury in 2017, Hernandez missed extended time, which eventually resulted in further implications to his shoulder, making him have to sit out the entirety of last season.
Since returning to action, this year, the 26-year-old has made two cameo stints in Boston. Hernandez performed impressively in Boston, and it’s surprising that he hasn’t been given more of a chance with the Red Sox. He could provide this team with a number of answers to their current struggles.
Over his two short stays with the Sox this season, Hernandez has hit .333 and driven in seven runs, including two homers, in 70 plate appearances. Hernandez also tacked on five doubles, which helped boost his OPS to an extremely respectable .862.
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What was more impressive was his clutch hitting. There were plenty of times when he came up to hit with RISP and he produced what was needed. Hernandez’s ability gave some firepower to the middle-lower part of the order. This is something that’ll be needed for the rest of the year – specifically if the Sox are going to make a genuine run at the Wild Card.
The ultimate reason why Hernandez was given the call so early on this season was due to Mitch Moreland sustaining an injury – which saw him go to the IL for an extended period of time. The loss of both Moreland and Steve Pearce saw rookie infielder Michael Chavis move over to first base – leaving an obvious gap in the Boston middle-infield at second, especially given Dustin Pedroia‘s current situation. With Eduardo Nunez being DFA’d, the Sox were then left with Brock Holt and Hernandez, two lefty hitters and two players more than capable of doing a job at second, defensively. With Holt, Moreland, and Pearce all in the final year of their current contracts, Hernandez could not only be important right now but at just 26, he could play a part in this team for the long-term.
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Obviously, he needs much more time at the major league level to prove that he’s got what it takes to play at this level long-term, but it hasn’t been given to him yet. The Sox need Hernandez and Hernandez needs the Sox to believe in him. Now 6.5 games shy of a Wild Card spot, it’s the right time for Hernandez to come back to Boston and be that impact guy that they need to help give it everything at making October. He gives plenty of versatility in that infield and is a guy who can do a job anywhere in the lineup. Giving him a real opportunity now would be beneficial to both parties and could result in a great situation at second from now into the next few seasons.