The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines during the offseason with a flurry of high-profile acquisitions, but few drew as much intrigue as their $72 million investment in outfielder Teoscar Hernández. The 31-year-old slugger was brought in to bolster a lineup already brimming with star power. However, nearly two months into the 2025 season, Hernández has struggled to find his groove, sparking questions about his long-term fit in Los Angeles.
Yet despite the early-season slump, Hernández has shown a mix of accountability, maturity, and grit—eschewing excuses in favor of hard truth and tireless work ethic. “This is on me,” Hernández said after a recent Dodgers loss. “There are a lot of expectations, and I accept that. I know I’m better than this. I just need to work my way through it.”
That mindset might not grab headlines like a game-winning homer or a diving catch, but it speaks volumes about the type of player the Dodgers believed they were getting. With his bat still quiet and the pressure mounting in a city hungry for a World Series return, the question remains: Can Teoscar Hernández turn it around and live up to his $72 million billing?
A High-Profile Signing with Big Expectations
When Hernández signed his four-year, $72 million deal with the Dodgers this past winter, the move was seen as both a power play and a necessity. While the Dodgers’ 2024 roster was loaded with marquee names like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani, the front office sought more depth and right-handed power. Hernández, with a career .260 average and several 25+ homer seasons under his belt, was expected to offer protection in the lineup and slug in key moments.
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman lauded the signing at the time. “Teoscar gives us another dangerous bat, a veteran who’s been through postseason wars, and someone who can give pitchers nightmares,” Friedman said in January. “He’s a great clubhouse presence and fits the identity we’re trying to build.”
For Hernández, joining the Dodgers was a dream come true. After bouncing around from Houston to Toronto to Seattle, the chance to join a perennial contender in one of baseball’s most iconic franchises was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“This is where you want to be if you’re serious about winning,” Hernández said at his introductory press conference. “I know what’s expected of me. I’m ready for the challenge.”
Early Season Struggles: A Closer Look
Despite the optimism, Hernández’s start to the 2025 season has been rocky. Through the first 45 games, he’s slashing .214/.289/.383 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs. His strikeout rate hovers near 30%, and his average exit velocity—once a calling card of his game—has dipped to a career low.
In May alone, he’s hitting just .198, with frequent pop-ups and swings-and-misses on breaking balls outside the zone. There are signs of frustration at the plate: lingering in the batter’s box after a strikeout, slamming his helmet in the dugout, and walking off postgame interviews with a stoic expression.
But what sets Hernández apart isn’t his reaction—it’s his response.
“I don’t need anyone to tell me I’m struggling,” he told reporters following a recent series against the Giants. “It’s obvious. I’m not producing the way I should. But I also know this game. You don’t panic. You grind.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has echoed that sentiment, offering support for his embattled outfielder. “Teo’s going through a tough stretch, no doubt,” Roberts admitted. “But he’s working. He’s in the cage early, reviewing film, making adjustments. He’s not making excuses. That’s what you want in a professional.”
No Excuses: A Testament to Character
Baseball, more than any other sport, is a game of failure. Even Hall of Famers get out seven out of every ten times. What defines a player is often not their slumps, but how they handle them. In that regard, Hernández has shown exactly why the Dodgers invested in him.
“Guys can get defensive, or start pointing fingers,” said Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates. “Teoscar owns it. Every day he’s asking, ‘What can I do better?’ That kind of accountability is huge.”
It would be easy for Hernández to lean on justifications. New city. New teammates. High expectations. Pressure-packed market. Adjustment period. And yet, he refuses to do so.
“You don’t get better by making excuses,” Hernández said. “You get better by doing the work. That’s all I know how to do.”
His attitude has earned him respect in the clubhouse, even if the stat sheet hasn’t been kind.
“He’s a good dude, man,” said Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts. “You can see he’s pressing a little bit, but he’s not pouting or blaming anyone. We’ve all been there. We just keep encouraging him to stay with it. Once he gets hot, we all know what he can do.”
Glimpses of Power and Promise
While the overall numbers paint a gloomy picture, there have been flashes of the Teoscar Hernández of old. A 440-foot homer to dead center at Coors Field. A three-hit night against the Padres that included a clutch double in the eighth. A laser beam of a throw from right field to nail a runner at third.
“There are signs,” Roberts said. “He’s close. We’re seeing better at-bats, more patience, more hard contact. Baseball is cruel sometimes, but if you stick with it, it rewards you.”
Advanced metrics agree with Roberts. Hernández’s expected batting average (xBA) and expected slugging (xSLG) are notably higher than his actual numbers, suggesting a degree of bad luck. His hard-hit rate remains above league average, indicating that the quality of contact may soon yield better results.
Pressure and Patience in a Championship Window
For a team like the Dodgers, the stakes are always high. There is no patience for extended slumps—not from fans, media, or the front office. With a $300 million payroll and a World Series-or-bust mentality, every player is expected to perform.
But internal voices within the organization are urging patience.
“We didn’t sign Teoscar for one month,” Friedman reminded. “We believe in the totality of his contributions over the course of a season and beyond. Every player goes through slumps. What matters is how they come out the other side.”
Still, there is no denying that time is ticking. With young outfielders like Andy Pages and James Outman pushing for more playing time, Hernández will need to start producing if he wants to maintain an everyday role.
A Veteran’s Determination
In many ways, Hernández’s current situation is a test of his character—and so far, he’s passing with quiet resilience. Rather than hiding or deflecting, he’s confronting his slump head-on.
“I’ve been through struggles before,” Hernández said. “This isn’t new. But every time, I’ve come out stronger. That’s what I plan to do again.”
He’s working with the Dodgers’ analytics team to tweak his approach, especially against off-speed pitches. He’s adjusted his stance slightly, aiming for better pitch recognition and improved balance at the plate.
“Sometimes you get too mechanical,” he noted. “You start thinking instead of reacting. I’m trying to simplify.”
The Road Ahead
The MLB season is a marathon, not a sprint, and Hernández still has over 100 games to write his story. With the Dodgers in a tight NL West race and the playoffs looming in the distance, there’s ample opportunity for redemption.
If Hernández can rediscover his swing and deliver in key moments down the stretch, all will be forgiven—and possibly forgotten. Baseball fans are quick to boo, but even quicker to cheer when a turnaround unfolds.
For now, Hernández is tuning out the noise.
“I don’t care what people say,” he said. “They’re going to talk whether you’re doing good or bad. My job is to stay focused, stay positive, and keep competing. That’s what I’m here for.
