December 8th, 2020 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is no denying that 29-year-old Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández, often referred to as a ‘super-sub,’ is a fun guy to have around, both on the field and in the clubhouse. There is also no denying that he is a huge fan-favorite.
But he is also a career .230 hitter over his seven major league seasons, with a .313 on-base percentage.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
As a basis for comparison, 30-year-old utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor, who has also been in the Bigs for seven seasons, has a career batting average of .263, with a career .335 OBP; not a huge difference, but certainly distinguishable.
Here’s the deal – Taylor will be a free agent after the 2021 season, whereas Hernández is a free agent right now.
Personality-wise, Kiké is a 10.0 on the Richter scale, and Taylor, at best, maybe a 2.0. But personality, although extremely important – especially in the clubhouse – does not win World Championships; hitting and fielding do.
Speaking of fielding, Hernandéz appeared in 53 of the Dodgers 60 games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season – 30 at second base, 19 in the outfield, two at shortstop, and two at first base, for a combined fielding percentage of .969.
Taylor appeared in 58 of the Dodgers 60 games – 25 in the outfield, 20 at shortstop, and 13 at second base, for a combined fielding percentage of .985.
Once again, this isn’t a huge difference. But what is a huge difference – or at least a noticeable one – is that all five of Kiké’s errors were committed at second base, whereas only one of CT-3’s two errors occurred at second base (the other in left field).
Personality and fan-favoritism aside, from a pure baseball standpoint, who would you rather see as the Dodgers ‘super-sub’ in 2021 … and beyond?
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
@Dodgers Kiké hands down. But you knew I was going to say that.
Lux has to given his chance to play. Don’t forget Muncy can always slide over and play second. Plus Barnes can play second as well as CT3.Dodgers set at second base
Then you. Then you have the prospects.
I think both Kiki and Joc P will go saving the dodgers 15 mil in payroll. Then a reduced dollar return by JT will save another 5 mil. If the dodgers can trade Pollock then they can afford Joc P.
What are you talk’n bout, keep kiki get rid of Lux and Muncy. Are you serious lol!!! The Doc need to put him as an Everday player at second or short and move Seager over to first base, he’s a subpar shortstop but a giant with the bat.
How many above average plays does Kike make at second base, vs Taylor?
Give me a name of a replacement with a proven, then proven again… big post-season bat.
I will agree Kike is up, then down in the batters box during the season.
His defense more then makes up for it if you ask me. But if the team is stronger without him, I won’t argue, I’d just like to see more proof.
Will his replacement rise to the occasion in the post-season.
David Price (In my novice opinion) is depth at best in his 15th season, especially after sitting out last season, and would likely retire rather then search for another short term deal if that was the case. Being a PVL I think he will get 1st opportunity to play if he is still around.
I would be surprised if he makes a big contribution otherwise. Jus my thinking on the subjects.
I agree with the sentiments on Taylor though, just saying Kike has been a blessing as well. As far as resigning him, I don’t what other deals will make an impact on that? One year or not.
I would say that Mookie could move to second base, as he has asked to play the position in the past. If they think adding an outfielder with a big bat makes the team better.
Talk about selling a year early as per a year late. I think Muncy can be replaced, not that he will though.
I think Rios has the potential to best Muncy’s numbers going forward.
wow ron…
while i whole heatedly agree that Kike is at the top of the scale when it comes to personality i cant believe that you would disparage another player to make your point. even if you have had a personal conflict with him, there is no justification for this. CT3 always has a smile and appears friendly to the fans. i won’t even begin to address the rest of this article.
very poor reflection ron.
I most certainly did not intend for it to come across as disparaging on Taylor in any way. Quite the contrary, in fact.
My point is (was) that CT-3 is more of a ‘strictlyy business’ type as opposed to a guy who shows up in a major league dugout dressed as a banana.
I’m sorry that you took it that way. It was definitely not intended as such.
I sure remember CT3’s catch against the Brewers in LF to save a postseason game. He’s also a better backup to Seager at SS. CT3 has been big in postseason play over the years.
Like must come back, without postseason the Dodgers would not have come back. What did Taylor do
Get rid of Gavin Lux
Kike is great as a sub and bench option but is he going to accept a deal to remain a bench player? If so will he take the pay of a bench player? Probably not. He’s likely going to go look for some young team who needs a versatile starter and leader at second or the OF. Dodgers will not pay for him in hopes to maintain Seager and Buhler and they have Zach in the minors who has more offensive upside. Same applies to Joc. Joctober is great but there’s no Jocly so it’s not worth suffering through his .180 average all year to wait for him to turn it up in the post season.
Exactly how I see it, Stevo.
Kiké is definitely fun to have around and has his moments of greatness. But he absolutely deserves a shot at being an everyday player, which probably isn’t going to happen in LA – although he did appear in nearly every game in 2020, just not as a permanent position player … which, of course, is where the REAL money is.
My guess is that he would LOVE to return to the Dodgers next season. But as you noted, he would have to accept a (very) team-friendly deal, which I also do not see happening.
(Great comment, BTW).
He’s had that shot multiple times and has failed. He is not a everyday player on a good team. He’s a one trick pony at the plate. Fastball middle-in. Until he can his something other than that he will always be a .230 hitter.
Kike is one of the reasons I enjoy watching the dodgers. He puts a smile on my face with his energy and personality. I know the Dodgers have to do what they feel is right. But remember, we won the Championship with Kike.
Great point, Katheryn!
What’s amazing to me is that if you removed ANYONE from that magical 2020 team, they might not have won it all. EVERYONE contributed!
Hence the term, “team”. The 2020 Dodgers were truly a team. You can remember a game or series turning play, pitch or hit(s) by nearly every individual. That was wonderful to see but the likelihood of a repeat of that particular phenomena is unlikely.
Counting errors is not such a great idea. Kike is probably a better second baseman than Taylor. The problem is that both these guys could start full time and make more bucks with longer term deals for other teams. So they are very good but not great. The Dodgers might not want to give them the big contract but they are not easily replaced and the Dodgers need to make room for and initiate the top players in the farm system. So if you leave an opening for Lux at second what happens if he’s not as good as Kike or Taylor. And if you pay big bucks to Le Mahieu what about Lux. Or if you pay big bucks to Kike, can you give big contracts to Bellinger and Seager. Pederson is the same kind of problem. But it would really hurt if we lose Kike and then he learns to hit right handlers. Taylor on the other hand doesn’t seem great but his WAR tells a different story. And both players play so many positions well it makes them even harder to replace and value. I will miss all three players if they go but I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision.
Outstanding assessment, Rob! Thanks!
Is there any way to quantitatively assess if Kiké made more errors at 2B because of his penchant for pulling off shoestring, highlight reel plays….he just can’t pull off all of them?
Excellent point.
I think I remember back a few years ago this front office saying it wanted bats that had proven post/season production. Kike has been reported to want a one year deal. (I could br wrong?)
He cane up big in Houston for the Dodgers
He cane ip big in Arlington for the Dodgers is all I am saying.
I see no need to discount his worth, bit if they can do better, by all means.
I have always rooted for Kiké to be the second base starter and then he fizzles. Taylor’s subtle humility speaks volumes. Spring Training 2018, Taylor made a beeline for my family asking for autographs,maybe because we weren’t screaming like the others. Seems a little reserved and there’s nothing wrong with that. Maybe compare apples to apples… another free agent instead of Taylor. Would love to see Kiké and his new baby at the stadium.
Did you see his new Twitter profile pic? That has me concerned.
Haha! Checked out just now 😂 he’s keeping it real like Randy on American Idol used to say.
Of all the free agents the Dodgers have this off season (with the exception of JT), Kike is probably one of the most valuable. Fans need to remember the season is a grind. Not only is the season 162 games, but most years the team is together from February to October. That’s why it’s important to have guys like Kike in the clubhouse to keep the guys loose. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Kike will stay though as I can see him being offered a multi year contract to start for another team that maybe the Dodgers can’t offer him. I would personally love to see the Dodgers trade Lux and maybe Kelly to the Brewers for Hader. This would give the Dodgers their closer who is also left handed and save them a few million dollars. They could then offer Kike a bit more and hope that he stays and mans second with Taylor (and Muncy at times). With the pandemic and the amount of money MLB teams have lost, Kike might find it hard to obtain a contract that he wants and might resign for a year at something near his full 2020 contract. We’ll see. Don’t underestimate his importance in the locker room.
According to Fangraphs, Kiké is clearly the better all around defensive player with a career 12.1 defensive rating to Taylor’s 2.2. And Taylor is by far the superior offensive player with a 111 wRC compared to Hernandez 99 (1 percentage point below MLB average). Where Kiké shines is hitting against LH pitching with a 120 wRC (Taylor 110). Looking ahead, will the Dodgers re-sign Taylor after the 2021 season as a 31-year old utility player? My preferred outcome is for the team to sign Kiké to a 3 year extension as a utility/platoon player, and trade Taylor for help at another spot. Pay Kiké for what he is — a terrific fielding utility player who can play 5 positions at gold glove quality, and passable at first base and third base in an emergency. If I had my way, the Dodgers would trade AJ Pollock and re-sign Joc and Kiké to platoon in LF. By the way, I like Chris Taylor — A LOT! But, the Dodgers are better with Kiké.
Just to remind everyone I believe Kiki did not turn a double play in the 9th inning,the fiasco game that Kenley lost.
The best defensive players I ever saw play the game, Willie Mays and Ozzie Smith, failed on many occasions to make important plays — that is the nature of the game. Kiké has a career fielding percentage of .980 playing multiple positions — Mays is .980 in the outfield, and Ozzie is .978 playing shortstop.
Nice try, but that doesn’t make him Hanley in the Kershaw no-hitter. just human.
For the record…I think Kike will most likely play somewhere else in 2021. But he’s a fave of mine just for his defensive abilities alone. I do love his humor and competitiveness as well. I would eagerly welcome him back.
I’d also likr to see them keep JT around until Kershaw retires with some type of feal that places him on the coaching staff after that. He could continue to call the Southland home for years to come. He is also one of them best personality types and deserves that much. Just my wishes and thoughts.
Definitely keep JT, but I hope Kershaw stays even longer as he is much younger. After his playing days are over JT could be a hitting coach, and some day a manager.
Gammons said that he thinks the Dodgers would want the Rox’s to take back significant money in an Arenado deal, plus he feels that Freidman would not part with Gray,horse or any other prospect.
So maybe: Rios Pollack(the money) and maybe an arm .
Truth be told. Kershaw has struggled with injuries and gave his all in the process. I’d be alright with him hanging up, or passing the torch to someone else after his contract is finished. But I’m not Clayton, so, if he feels he fan compete with the best of them… by all means bring him back too.