Hernandez was optioned back to Pawtucket on May 2nd – his second up-down trip of the season between the PawSox and BoSox – following a Sunday night game against the Yankees. Hernandez hasn’t missed a beat in his first three games back, going 6-for-13 to bump up his slash line to .355/.412/.452 through his first 62 ABs in 2016 with the PawSox. Hernandez is primarily a left-handed hitting second basemen who already has the ability to play shortstop and third base, and he’s now beginning to get reps in left field with Pawtucket as well.

At the plate, Hernandez has a quick, line drive-oriented swing from the left side with great barrel control and bat-to-ball skills. He has the ability to use all fields, and on the bases he’s average to above-average runner, able to get from HP-to-1B with 4.1 second run times on occasion. He is a solid base runner with good instincts, and though can steal a base here and there, he is not a burner, and doesn’t project to be a major threat to steal.

Defensively, Hernandez profiles best at second base, where he is an average defender at best with an average arm. However, he makes for an interesting major league-ready utility option who can fill in at short, third, second, and soon in left field as well, which only adds to his flexibility and value to both the Red Sox and to his value in the trade market as the season moves forward.