9 Bold Fantasy Baseball Predictions for 2019
Cesar Hernandez Will Score 110 Runs and Be a Top-5 Second Baseman
NFBC ADP: 176.00
Position Rank: 13
Projections | PA | Runs | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | wOBA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 Season | 718 | 91 | 15 | 60 | 19 | .253 | .320 |
THE BAT | 642 | 78 | 12 | 56 | 15 | .262 | .322 |
Steamer | 605 | 71 | 9 | 48 | 14 | .256 | .317 |
numberFire | 630 | 83 | 10 | 50 | 17 | .269 | -- |
Currently buried on the NFBC rankings, Cesar Hernandez seems to be an afterthought at the second base position. And if we are to believe Roster Resource, Hernandez could get stuck at the bottom of the Philadelphia Phillies' order this year.
But it looks like the second baseman may hit leadoff again, considering recent comments by his own manager, Gabe Kapler. If that's the case, and mega-bat Bryce Harper joins the team, we can expect a big campaign from Hernandez.
While projections from THE BAT and Steamer likely have Hernandez slotted toward the bottom of the order, they may also not account for the fact that the veteran played with a broken foot in the second half of 2018. He posted a .338 wOBA, 8 homers, and 14 steals in the first half but only a .293 wOBA and 5 steals in the back half.
There's a lot to like with a healthy Hernandez in 2019, especially if he hits higher in the order. If the Phils announce him as the leadoff man, his price will jump, so now is a nice time to buy.