“Honestly, I think it’s easier on the body to play in the infield than to play in center field,” Hernández said. “That was one of things that stood out to me in ’21 when I first started going out there every day at the beginning of the season. It was just like, man, I had a lot more respect toward outfielders then just because even the jog to the dugout and back and forth in-between innings it was taking a toll.
“I think I’m better suited for the infield because I like to play the game fast and the game’s a lot faster in the infield. I like to be involved in the game, and there’s a lot more that I can do in the infield as far as communicate with my teammates and the way I see the game and stuff.”
Hernández doesn’t have many worries, if any, about making the transition to the infield. He pointed to a road game against the Los Angeles Angels last season a reason why. In that contest, he was called upon to play shortstop in the later innings and made a key play after not having fielded a grounder since Spring Training.
For Hernández, being at shortstop really just feels natural.
“To me, it feels like riding a bike,” Hernández said. “And I mean this in the most humbled way possible. I’m an infielder that’s capable of playing outfield. That’s the way I put it.”