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 to train with during his time
Anderson Espinoza Jersey 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-readine s.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 lineupis an incredible feat and his stats reflect that succe s.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
Tyson Ross Jersey '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
Luis Perdomo Jersey 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. Scroll to ContinueAfter 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 specialhe'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
Gerardo Reyes Jersey manager's confidence in the proce s."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,
Greg Garcia Jersey . But, come Tuesday night, the Blue Jays meet another offensive juggernaut when the division-leading Boston Red Sox come to Dunedin.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.
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