Kiké Hernández brings silverware to Red Sox
Another day and another win for the Red Sox. Earlier today it was announced that Kiké Hernández had earned the American League Player of the Week Award. This is one hell of an honor for a guy who is known as more of a utility guy and was also in a bit of a slump to start his Boston tenure. However since a return from the IL and some days off at the All-Star Break, the versatile No. 5 is killing it.
No doubt about it.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 26, 2021
Kiké Hernández is your AL Player of the Week! 👏 pic.twitter.com/xO6sUwfcRl
It feels like Kiké has been at the center of some of the biggest moments for the Red Sox as of late. Whether he’s smacking bombs in Buffalo or crushing the spirits of the Yankees, he’s been in the mix in some way every single night. In fact, he played a major role in two of Boston’s most recent comeback wins against the Bronx Bombers this past weekend.
On Thursday, he tied the game in the bottom of the 7th and then again in the bottom of the 9th, an absolute menace. Then on Sunday, he would knock in Christian Vazquez to bring the Sox within a run in the eighth just to score the game-tying run moments later. He has gone from a questionable part of the lineup to a fan favorite and hero with Red Sox Nation. He’s more than earned this award.
To put what he’s done this last week into perspective we’ll have to go to the numbers. During the given time span, Kiké had a .400/.448/1.000/1.448 slash with four doubles, one triple, three homers, and nine RBI. He has become one of the sparks of this roster and is an absolute gem on and off the field. When we talk about guys with energy in this club we always go to Rafael Devers or Alex Verdugo, but Hernández should absolutely be in that conversation. He’s become the lifeblood of this team this season.
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Kiké’s season totals are pretty solid as well as he owns a .244/.322/.467/.789 line with 24 doubles, 14 homers, and 39 RBI. Masslive.com’s Chris Cotillo compared Hernández’s contract to former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and he was spot on that the Red Sox came out on the better side of the deal. They signed Kiké for 2-years/$14M as opposed to JBJ’s 2-years/$24M from the Brewers. Not only did Boston save a ton of cash but they also got the player providing the better quality of play in 2021.
The Red Sox are currently in sole possession of first place in the AL East and Hernández has played a big factor in their positioning and success. If he can continue to produce at even a fraction of what he’s done this past week then Boston should be able to cruise into October. When he was signed it was thought that he would be the everyday second baseman but he’s excelled in the outfield and is now finding himself at the plate. For a guy that didn’t have a defined role on Opening Day he sure has one now, star.
Boston is in the middle of a treacherous part of their schedule that sees them go against AL East foe after foe. Just as one comes off the board another is ready to take their place against the Red Sox. Even with some guys slumping the team has found a way to pull out wins when they’re needed the most. Kiké Hernández has become a major player in that winning culture with this team and it’s hard to think that’ll change any time soon.