The acquisition of Teoscar Hernández at the 2017 trade deadline is truly one of the most impressive under-the-radar moves in recent Toronto Blue Jays history. The Houston Astros, in a thoughtful trade that included Nori Aoki, exchanged him for veteran pitcher Francisco Liriano. When Hernández first arrived, he was a young Dominican outfielder with raw, high-velocity power, but he had yet to find his footing in the big leagues. Over the next five-and-a-half seasons in Ontario, Hernández’s transformation has been remarkable—going from an inconsistent, strikeout-prone player to one of the most exciting, powerful middle-of-the-order run producers in the American League.
His initial full seasons in Toronto showcased a typical high-power, high-volatility profile. In 2018, he took on a regular outfield position, hitting 22 home runs with impressive strength, but struggled with consistency, posting a .239 batting average and a high strikeout rate in high-pressure situations. The 2019 season followed a similar pattern, with 26 home runs and a .230 batting average. Despite his exceptional exit velocity, defensive issues in the outfield and a tendency to chase outside pitches limited his overall value.
The 2020 schedule, shortened by the pandemic, marked Hernández's major breakout season. In only 50 games, he dominated opposing pitchers by hitting .289, with 16 home runs and 34 RBIs. His improved plate discipline and high barrel rate earned him his first American League Silver Slugger Award and an 11th-place ranking in the AL MVP voting, highlighting his elite offensive potential.
Instead of declining over a 162-game season, Hernández reached a historic peak during the outstanding 2021 season. Batting cleanup in a strong Toronto lineup, he created a remarkable personal achievement, hitting a career-high .296 with 32 homers. He utilized his gap power to drive in an impressive 116 runs—ranking among league leaders—earning a first-time starting spot in the All-Star Game, a second consecutive Silver Slugger award, a place on the All-MLB Second Team, and finishing 19th in MVP voting.
He had another highly productive summer in 2022, hitting 25 home runs with a .267 average to help the Blue Jays reach the postseason. However, as free agency approached and the front office aimed to rebalance the roster with left-handed hitters and top-tier outfield defense, Toronto traded the star outfielder to the Seattle Mariners in November 2022.
Hernández with the Blue Jays had 584 hits, 125 doubles, 129 home runs, and 369 RBIs, with a .263/.320/503 slash line and 121 OPS+.
Comments powered by CComment