Teoscar Hernandez shares insights on his exceptional slugging as he joins Aaron Judge, Matt Olson in elite 9-man company

LA Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez did many things in 2024 that he hadn’t done in his eight seasons prior.

After signing with the Dodgers last offseason, the stars aligned for Hernandez, who went on to make his second All-Star selection, his first since 2021. He also won a Silver Slugger and was selected to the All-MLB Second Team. Most importantly, Hernandez won his first Home Run Derby and World Series.

33 home runs in a season is no small feat, especially when most of those came in pitcher-friendly parks like Dodger Stadium. This puts Hernandez in elite company, including the likes of Aaron Judge and Matt Olson, making him one of only nine hitters to have more than 25 home runs in each of the last five seasons.

Talking about the feat with MLB Tonight, Hernandez commended the Dodgers' coaching staff for boosting his confidence, even amid his health issues:

"It's just about being able to stay healthy. I think that was one of the biggest things for me this year. Like I said, the confidence they give me when I have bad moments."

He added:

"(The coaching staff) was putting me in the same spot, putting me on the field, just talking to me, and telling me that I can do this, and to just go out there and have fun.

"That was one of the reasons I was able to bounce back and deliver in the big moments when the team needed it the most."

Teoscar Hernandez talks about humble beginnings and reaching his goals

Teoscar Hernandez had humble beginnings, like many players from the Dominican Republic. He was born in a small village, Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez. He credits his love for baseball as the driving force behind his success.

"Sometimes I go back and think about who I was even before I started trying to sign a professional contract and everything that I have now, and everything that I’ve accomplished in my life in baseball," Hernandez added.

"It's crazy to think that a little kid from my mom would never have thought about any of this. I always loved baseball, but never in the way I’m seeing it now. It's just an amazing feeling."

Following a stellar 2024 season, the Dodgers re-signed Teoscar Hernandez to a three-year, $66 million contract this offseason.