LOS ANGELES — Throughout a challenging hitting slump that lasted several months, Teoscar Hernández worked hard to keep his usual cheerful and lighthearted attitude intact.
However, for much of the summer leading up to his late-September resurgence, it was tough for the ’ lively, joke-making veteran to feel like himself.
“I try to stay positive and bring the same energy you guys see every day — smiling, making jokes,” Hernández shared. “But at the same time, it’s really tough.”
manager Dave Roberts also noticed a more downcast side from Hernández, who had been a key contributor to the team’s recent back-to-back World Series triumphs with his clutch hitting and upbeat presence. When Hernández was placed on the injured list on May 29 due to a left hamstring strain, he held a solid .785 OPS, but after returning a month later, his performance sharply declined. Between June 29 and August 29, Hernández’s .592 OPS ranked as the ninth-lowest among all qualified MLB hitters during that period.
“Some of the joy was drained out,” Roberts said. “It’s hard to stay cheerful when you’re not performing. He remained a great teammate, but I know it was frustrating for him.”
Hernández’s struggles were exacerbated by lackluster offense from other key players, including fellow corner outfielder Kyle Tucker, as the ’ lineup struggled for much of the summer. Yet, with All-Stars Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages sidelined, Freddie Freeman dealing with knee pain, and the playoffs imminent, Hernández has channeled his frustration positively.
He is dominating the ball in September, shaking off his slump and giving the renewed confidence in their offensive depth. “When he heats up, he’s one of the best in the game,” said infielder Tommy Edman.
During this hot streak, Hernández has improved virtually every facet of his hitting. Known to swing and miss at times even when on form, he has significantly reduced his chase rate from 36.7% in August to 24.8% in September, tripled his walk rate to 15.1%, and nearly halved his strikeout rate to 18.9%. Along with more selective swings, he is punishing mistakes like never before.
His hard-hit ball rate has soared from 34.5% in July to 47.5% in August, and an impressive 60% so far this month. September’s average exit velocity of 96.6 mph marks a career-high monthly figure. Eight of his ten hardest-hit balls this season came in the last two weeks, powered by his highest average bat speed recorded in over two years (74.1 mph).
This turnaround stands in stark contrast to just weeks ago, when his struggles against right-handers prompted the to consider platooning their left field spot — an idea now discarded. “It’s just night and day,” Roberts commented.
So how did Hernández find his rhythm again? infielder Miguel Rojas pointed to health as the key. “When he’s healthy, we see the Teoscar who runs hard, steals bases, and makes dynamic plays. His bat has always been his best tool, but seeing him whole again is refreshing.”
Earlier in the season, Hernández’s slump mirrored a similar pattern from last year, when an adductor injury and its lingering effects hurt his swing and power. This year’s hamstring strain disrupted his mechanics, leading to a disappointing .496 OPS against right-handed pitching in August.
“I told Dave, ‘If you need to put someone else in there, go ahead,’” Hernández admitted.
Yet, that wasn’t necessary after a significant turning point on August 25, when he was rested for a game against the Braves — a critical moment in a tight race for a first-round playoff bye. Upon returning the next day with a two-hit performance in Atlanta, followed by a two-run homer in Detroit, Hernández seemed revitalized. “That at-bat gave him a boost for the season’s final stretch,” noted Rojas. “Confidence comes from success, and he found that with one good swing.”
Mechanically, Hernández made deliberate adjustments to improve timing and power. He opened his batting stance to slow his body’s movement, preventing premature hip rotation and giving himself more time to track pitches. He also replaced his subtle toe tap with a more pronounced leg lift and hip twist — techniques from earlier in his career that now yield greater power and control.
Small technical tweaks can lead to major improvements. “That’s the challenge,” Hernández explained. “One day you don’t know what you’re doing. The next, you adjust just a little — your hands, your legs, stance height — and suddenly it clicks, sparking a hot streak.”
If September ended now, Hernández’s current 1.211 OPS would be the best monthly figure of his career. He insists his confidence never faltered during the slump, a belief shared by his teammates. After all, this is the same player who homered in every postseason series last year.
“The clutch gene, everything he brings — the reason we acquired him and why he’s been so valuable — hasn’t changed because of a rough stretch,” Rojas said. “Honestly, I was never worried… I want no one else up in a big moment more than Teo.”
Following his big hit in Detroit last month, Hernández returned home, made his swing adjustments, and provided the timely clutch hit the struggling offense had desperately needed — a walk-off double to salvage a series against the Cardinals. This hit sparked an eight-game winning streak, with the finally looking like themselves again, as is their exuberant left fielder.
“I feel great right now,” Hernández said. “I’ve worked hard for this, and I’m happy everything is coming together.”
Fan Take: Teoscar Hernández’s comeback story is a testament to resilience and the mental as well as physical adjustments athletes must make to succeed. His resurgence not only boosts the as they approach the postseason but reminds fans that perseverance and fine-tuning can ignite a team’s championship hopes once more.
Source: www.foxsports.com
