Losing 29-year-old super-utility Kiké Hernández to free agency this past off-season was a huge blow to the Dodgers. In addition to his tremendous versatility during his six seasons with the Dodgers, the San Juan, Puerto Rico native and sixth-round draft pick in 2009 by the Houston Astros out of the American Military Academy in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico was a huge fan favorite.

But as often happens in the wonderful game we call baseball, with the loss of a good – and popular – player, another quickly steps in to fill the void.

Enter 25-year-old utility infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry.

Although the sample size is ridiculously small, in the four games that the Toledo, OH native and Dodgers 33rd-round draft pick in 2016 out of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI, appeared in with the Dodgers during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he slashed .286/.286/.429/.714, with one double in his seven at-bats. However, in the 26 games he appeared in with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2019, he slashed a very impressive .382/.421/.753/.1.174, earning him an invitation to the Dodgers alternate training site at USC in 2020; this in addition to those four MLB games in which he appeared.

But wait … there’s more! (but you obviously already knew that). In Sunday’s 2021 Spring Training opener against the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ, McKinstry went 1-for-2 with a sharp line-drive single to center. He eventually came around to score the first (of two) Dodgers runs in the eventual 2-1 Dodgers win.

Following Sunday’s win, Dodgers outfielder AJ Pollock had very high praise for McKinstry.

“McKinstry, that guy can absolutely flat-out rake. We saw that in Spring Training, and we know we’re going to have him,” said the nine-year MLB veteran. “I don’t know when, but he’s going to be a contributor for sure.

“He’s just got a really, really advanced approach at the plate. His swing, it’s definitely going to play in the big leagues because it’s just so compact; it’s consistent,” Pollock added. “He’s got a really, really calm demeanor. You don’t see him getting too rattled, too up or down. He’s just super consistent. I’m excited for him. He’s a good dude, and his bat’s definitely going to play in the big leagues.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also had high praise for the former CMU Chippewa, albeit rather concise.

“Zach’s a baseball player.”

During his daily Zoom media briefing on Monday, Roberts was asked where McKinstry will see playing time this Spring.

“We’ll see Zach second, short, left, maybe some center, and some right.”

Sounds kind of Kiké-ish, doesn’t it?

As for Hernández, in his six seasons with the Dodgers, he slashed a rather pedestrian .240/.312/.425/.737 with 68 home runs and 213 RBI. But his real value to the team came with his glove … or gloves. During those six seasons in LA, Kiké appeared in 15 games at first base, 200 games at second base, 82 games at shortstop, 33 games at third base, 127 games in left field, 179 games in center field, and 75 games in right field. For good measure, he even pitched one-third of an inning in relief (it did not end well).

Kiké’s other value to the team – at least from the fans’ perspective – was his frequent silliness, not in a bad way, but in a fun way. Who can forget the time he was caught on camera (by design, of course) wearing a banana suit. I mean, name one other player in the 152-year history of Major League Baseball who has done that.

To be fair, it is unfair to compare Zach McKinstry to Kiké Hernández; they are two entirely different players and personalities. However, with at least two utility bench spots up for grabs this Spring, it is impossible not to see McKinstry as the heir apparent to Kiké’s former role.

Play Ball!

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