April 12th, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka We’ve all heard it … ad nauseam: “Zach McKinstry is Kiké Hernández’s replacement.”
No. He. Is. Not.
Dodgers utility player Zach McKinstry is the guy who is 9-for-28 (.321) with two home runs, four doubles, 10 RBI, and has made several outstanding – if not impossible – defensive plays in the nine (of 10) games in which he has appeared with the Dodgers thus far.
Former Dodgers and current Boston Red Sox utility player Kiké Hernández is the guy who is 9-for-38 (.237) with one home run, two doubles, and four RBI in the 10 games (of 10) in which he has appeared with Boston thus far.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
The only similarity between these two is that they are both referred to as ‘utility players‘ (i.e., they play multiple positions and do so rather well), and that McKinstry filled a vacancy on the Dodgers 26-man roster created when Hernández signed a free-agent deal with Boston during the off-season.
The similarities end there.
In his nine games with the Dodgers thus far this season, McKinstry has played five games in right field, three games at second base, three games in left field (he changed positions during a couple of games), and used as the Dodgers designated hitter twice. He also sports a combined 1.000 fielding percentage, with no errors in his combined 14 putouts and four assists.
In his 10 games with the Red Sox thus far this season, Hernández has played seven games in center field, two games at second base, and one game at shortstop. He has committed one error (at second base) in his combined 16 putouts and eight assists for a combined .960 fielding percentage.
There is no disputing that Kiké was a huge fan-favorite during his six seasons with the Dodgers, although his occasional silly antics did not always sit well with old-school baseball traditionalists.
There is also no disputing that McKinstry is (very) rapidly becoming a new fan-favorite among Dodger fans – without the silly antics. In fact, his jersey (number 8) is already among the top sellers this season – a season that isn’t even two weeks old.
Following Sunday’s 3-0 Dodgers win over the Washington Nationals, a game in which McKinstry drove in all three Dodgers runs, the 25-year-old Toledo, OH native and 33rd-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2016 out of Central Michigan University was asked how many different gloves he owns and uses.
“I have just one for infield and one for outfield,” he answered. “Try to keep it simple and yeah, not try to change up the gloves too much.”
Music to the ears of old-school baseball traditionalists.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
@Dodgers Kike 2.0, the upgrade
As you can probably tell, I am among those ‘old-school baseball traditionalists’ and quite tired of the “McKinstry is the new Kiké” comments. There is nothing similar about them. Kiké can’t hold a candle to Zach.
I liked Kiké. Based on only 2 weeks there’s just no basis for concluding” Kiké can’t hold a candle to Zach.” At the very least I’d say Kike’s six years of defensive play showed us he’s superior to what we’ve seen from Zach SO FAR.
I respectfully disagree. I was fortunate to have watched McKinstry play while he was at Rancho Cucamonga and immediately knew that he was special.
But you are right – it will take a while for Zach to convince skeptics that he is the real deal at baseball’s highest level. But in Dave Roberts’s own words following Sunday’s game, he believes that what McKinstry is doing “is sustainable.”
Kiki’s biggest problem was his inability to layoff pitches. He often swung at bad pitches and got himself out.
Mckinstry lays off bad balls works the count and therefore will get on base more and make more contact, hence produce more runs.
I like Kiki but he is overrated.
Does anyone know the story behind Zach’s two-handed celebration after a hit? sort if like a double pistol draw but his hands go up pretty high for a “gunslinger” gesture.
I always thought if Hernandez spent less time being silly and spent more time working on becoming a better offense ball player he could have become a starter, it is early to compare McKinstry to Hernandez but McKinstry so far is doing just fine.
McKinstry has been very spectacular since he’s been with the Dodgers, he’s truly doing his job and that’s great, but I’m not ready to forget Kike’ just yet.
Forget who?
I have followed McKinstry since he was drafted by Dodgers and I am a fan.
I missed him being drafted, but I got a very good look at him when he was at (then) Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. I was sold on him on Day-1.
McKinstry is playing great so far for the Dodgers. Hernandez made great contributions to the Dodgers. Who cares if he was “silly”- actually he was very funny in interviews and in the clubhouse. But he took his play seriously on the field.