Eddie Rosario was not the only key signing that the Cleveland Indians made last week.
The Tribe decided to bring back 2020 Gold Glove Award Winner Cesar Hernandez on a 1-year deal worth 5 million dollars!
The deal also includes a club option for the 2022 season.
Here are 3 things for all Indians fans to know about Cesar Hernandez.
1. Hernandez Always Play Excellent Defense
Here are some Cesar Hernandez highlights from YouTube…https://t.co/SmOQM7uIyx
— Willie Hood (@WillHoo99) December 24, 2019
Hernandez won his first Gold Glove with the Tribe last year during the pandemic shortened season.
The award was no fluke for the 30-year old switch hitter!
Hernandez has been playing dynamic defense for quite some time.
Cesar has mainly been a second baseman most of his baseball career, but he has also spent time as a shortstop and center fielder.
2020 marked Hernandez’s fifth straight season of achieving a fielding percentage of .981 or better.
Hernandez committed only four errors last year which is a huge accomplishment at a tough second base position.
He also helped turn 33 double plays last season in only 58 games which provided defensive stability up the middle.
You can bet that the entire Indians pitching staff is grateful to have Hernandez back for the 2021 campaign.
2. Venezuela is Hernandez’s Home
Cesar Hernandez hails from Valencia Venezuela and has tons of professional baseball experience.
The 5-10 195 pounder signed with the Philadelphia Phillies at the tender young age of 16.
Hernandez was not at all intimidated by pro ball as he led the Venezuelan Summer League in triples (8) during his first season.
The Phillies were impressed with Hernandez hitting ability throughout his Minor League development and decided to call him up to the Big League roster in 2013.
Hernandez speaks predominantly in Spanish but has learned some English during his time in the Major Leagues.
He is married, has two children, and still lives in Venezuela during the off-season.
3. Hernandez has Sneaky Home Run Power and Good Gap Power
César Hernández walks it off for the Indians (-240 ML) with an RBI-single in the 9th to win it 4-3.
3rd Indians walk off this week. @betthebases
pic.twitter.com/96uUe65lIN— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) September 26, 2020
At 5-10 and 195 pounds, Cesar does not possess an intimidating physique.
However, all Major League pitchers should still be afraid of his power at the plate.
Hernandez smacked 15 homers for the Phillies in 2018 and 14 homers for them in 2019.
Hernandez led the American League in doubles last year with 20, and he led the National League in triples with 11 for the 2016 season.
Though he did not steal a base during the short 2020 campaign, Hernandez possesses above average speed on the bases.
From 2015-2018 Hernandez stole at least 15 bases each season.
Hopefully Hernandez will be able to get back to double digits in stolen bases for the 2021 season.
Rounding Third and Heading for Home
The Tribe front office hopes that by signing Cesar Hernandez and Eddie Rosario that the 2021 lineup will produce much more offense.
No, Hernandez is not a shortstop and no he is not Francisco Lindor!
However, fans in C-town could possibly think of Hernandez as “Lindor-lite” since he rates as above average in speed, power, and defense.
No, Hernandez is nowhere near the superstar status of Lindor, but his 5 million dollar salary is attractive to the Indians’ brass.
As a Cleveland Indians fan, what do you think of the signing of Cesar Hernandez?
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