The Rangers re-signed first baseman/outfielder Elier Hernandez to a minor league deal earlier this month, as per Hernandez’s MLB.com profile page. The 28-year-old received an invitation to the Rangers’ big league Spring Training camp.
Since first signing with Texas during the 2020-21 offseason, Hernandez has played primarily at Triple-A Round Rock, and he hit a strong .298/.356/.524 with 13 homers and 21 doubles over 351 plate appearance at the Triple-A level in 2022. This performance resulted in Hernandez making his Major League debut, though he hit a modest .182/.200/.242 in 35 PA over 14 games with Texas last season. The Rangers designated the outfielder for assignment in August and then outrighted him off their 40-man roster.
After electing to become a minor league free agent, Hernandez will now return to the Rangers organization for another season as a depth option. Hernandez has experience at all three outfield positions and has also seen some action at first base over the last two seasons, increasing his versatility. His chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot might depend on who stays healthy in the camp, but the Rangers’ left field situation is still unsettled (barring an acquisition of a veteran player), so there’s some opportunity for Hernandez to carve out a platoon role if he has a big spring.
Hernandez is a veteran of 10 pro seasons, mostly in the Royals organization. He made his debut at age 17 in 2012, after signing as an international free agent the previous summer for a sizable $3.05MM bonus. Over 981 games and 4018 plate appearances in the minor leagues, Hernandez has a .261/.310/.387 slash line and 67 homers.
Good depth signing
Not sure it merits an MLBTR post. Elier is the 5th/6th OF on the AAA Round Rock depth chart this season. Dustin Harris, Joe McCarthy, JP Martinez, Kellen Strahm, Sandro Fabian are all ahead of him. Josh Smith may end up in AAA too if it doesn’t look like he’s ready for regular ABs in Arlington. Clint Frazier, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Travis Jankowski would be ahead of Elier too (though I suspect they take their FA and don’t accept a minor league assignment if they don’t make the Rangers in spring training). At the end of the day, he’s AAA coverage for injuries and likely viewed as a good clubhouse guy. Like the Guilder Rodriguez mold of back in the day. His prospect status is gone.
They have posts on literally everyone. This guy played in MLB. It’s better than not hearing of it.
Elier appeared in the majors last year and was just signed by a MLB team. Of course MLBTR should report it.
Does it really matter whether or not you think it deserves its own post or not?
I’m sure Rangers fan’s appreciate the post, and the following write-up. Heck, I do too, and I’m not even a Texas fan.
Anyways, another quality depth signing by Texas, which is about the sixth one they’ve made in the last few days or so.
Absolutely ZERO risk to these signings, and even though they’re each likely to not even contribute to the ML team this season, just having that insurance in AAA in case your team gets hit with a rash of injuries is always a solid backup plan. Not to mention, quite often one or two of these depth, MiL deals end up being a steal, and the team gets rewarded with some average to slightly above average play.
Solid moves by Texas..
the only good moves Texas has made this off season is signing DeGroom if he stays healthy. Bring in Bruce Bochey and bring back their old pitching coach.
Yeah it does matter. If the Angels signed a player who hasn’t done squat in the majors. I’m not going to come in here and go “Oh yeah excellent depth signing” way to go Perry.
To each their own.
Most people want to read about any and all transactions their team makes, big or small.
Lol 182 average. Yeah good depth piece. Whatever deGroom.
Small sample size and look at AAA last year .298 if you are focused so much on average
Don’t pick on a 12 yr old, although I do agree with you WL
sidepiece- Not picking on him. It just gets me how people on here have to feel the need to comment on everything. I don’t comment on everything the Angels do.But I will defend them. The Seattle and Jay’s fans are the worst.
The guys a true troll just here to try and make me look bad
Degroom. Minors and Majors are 2 diffrent animals. Sometimes you guys comment on your teams signings just to make a comment for better or worse.
And??
There is a mute button if you don’t like it.
Thankfully, I’m using it now.
Rangers need to buy an “se” cuz they could use Elieser Hernandez more. Mets aren’t going to part with their EH