With a New Approach, Teoscar Hernandez is a Very Dangerous Hitter

Since returning from the COVID IL, Hernandez has cut down on strikeouts, boosted his on-base percentage and proved why he belongs in the four-hole every night.

© Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Last month, Blue Jays right-fielder Teoscar Hernandez found himself isolated at home while his teammates fought their way through an up-and-down month of April. 

The 28-year-old played just seven games before his season, and his life, were interrupted by a positive COVID-19 test that forced him into quarantine. 

Hernandez had only a net, a tee and a bucket of baseballs to train with during his time away from the team. Naturally, when he returned to action on April 30 against the Atlanta Braves, some rust was expected. 

Then, he crushed a ball 427 feet and quickly silenced any doubts about his game-readiness. But Hernandez wasn't done there. Toronto's right-fielder recorded a hit in his first four straight games back in the lineup and has now reached base in 14 of his last 16 games. 

For Hernandez to do what he's done — recover from COVID, build himself back up and jump right into Toronto's lineup — is an incredible feat and his stats reflect that success. 

Through 64 plate appearances in May, he's slashing .321/.406/.518, good for .924 OPS during that time frame. If he can maintain it for another two weeks, Hernandez's on-base percentage (.406) would be the highest of his career for any one-month stretch since he joined the Blue Jays during the 2017 season.

In 2020 — a season in which Hernandez won a Silver Slugger award and received MVP votes — he struck out at a 30.4% clip and walked just 6.8% of the time.

After striking out 15 times with zero walks in April of this year, Hernandez has cut his strikeout rate to 24.5% and gradually improved his walk rate to 8.2%. With his new-found patience, it's scary to think of what he might be capable of this season.

But there's another important element that makes what Hernandez is doing even more special — he's doing it all out of the No. 4 spot. 

In Toronto, there hasn't been a bona fide clean-up hitter since Edwin Encarnacion left after the 2016 season. So far, Hernandez looks like a fine heir to the most coveted spot in the batting order. 

He's batted clean-up in every game he's played this season and earned his manager's confidence in the process. 

"His approach has been outstanding," Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "It's huge for him to do what he's doing because that means they have to pitch to Vladdy." 

With Hernandez behind him as protection, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has enjoyed an MVP-like start to his season, slashing .319/.440/.609 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. 

Toronto's offence as a whole stepped it up recently, scoring 85 runs in the month of May. But, come Tuesday night, the Blue Jays meet another offensive juggernaut when the division-leading Boston Red Sox come to Dunedin.

Matchup to watch in tonight's #BlueJays vs Red Sox game: Teoscar Hernandez vs BOS SP Eduardo Rodriguez

In 14 AB vs ERod, Hernandez has: 5 hits, 3 HR, 5 RBI, and a 1.333 OPS

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) May 18, 2021

A lot is on the line during this week's series against the Boston Red Sox, including a tight American League East race.

It'll be hard to predict how the series will go, but if there's one thing for certain, it's that No. 37 will be penciled in the four-hole, ready to terrorize Red Sox pitchers.