The departures of perennial shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley from the Philadelphia Phillies' organization this season gave Cesar Hernandez, a 25-year-old, switch-hitting utility infielder out of Venezuela, ample opportunity to showcase his talent.
Hernandez accomplished just that.
Over 127 games, 93 starts and 452 plate appearances this season, Hernandez delivered with 25 extra-base hits: 20 doubles, four triples and one home run.
This was a huge improvement for Hernandez, who had just eight career extra-base hits entering the season spanning 100 games and 256 plate appearances.
In the field, Hernandez showed his worth by playing 678 1/3 innings at second base, 86 1/3 innings at shortstop, and an even 77 innings at third. He had just eight errors over 441 chances.
His eighth and most recent error, however, proved to be costly.
With two outs in the top of the seventh inning during Sunday afternoon's series finale matinee against the Chicago Cubs, Hernandez exited the game early with a dislocated left thumb after dropping the ball and colliding with Anthony Rizzo at first base.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki describes the play that caused the injury:
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a ground ball to Hernandez, but the Phillies' second baseman dropped the ball as he tried to flip it to Ryan Howard for the out at first. Hernandez retrieved the ball and his momentum carried him into Rizzo. They collided and toppled to the ground.
Following the game, Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said that prospects of Hernandez returning to the field this season 'doesn't look good', and that Hernandez 'didn't seem to be in pain' but is most definitely disappointed.
Darnell Sweeney, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last month in exchange for Utley, will 'get a look' in Hernandez's absence according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury.
With rookie third baseman Maikel Franco (wrist) still out, utility infielder Andres Blanco will also see increased playing time with just 18 games left to play this season.
At 16 years of age, Hernandez signed with the Phillies as an amateur free agent on July 2, 2006.
From 2007 to 2008, he would play 120 combined games in the Venezuelan Summer and Winter Leagues before joining the GCL Phillies in 2009.
Turning 20 the following season with the Williamsport Crosscutters, Hernandez batted .325/.390/.392 with 15 extra-base hits over 65 games.
As a Clearwater Thresher in 2011, Hernandez saw a spike in playing time with 452 plate appearances, after having 947 the four years prior.
Following appearances in Reading and Lehigh Valley in 2012 and 2013, Hernandez would make his major league debut on May 29, 2013 against RHP John Lackey and the Boston Red Sox, six days after his 23rd birthday.
Boston, of course, would go on to win the 109th edition of the Fall Classic 154 days later.
According to StatsLLC, when Hernandez hit leadoff this season, the Phillies averaged 5.06 runs per game (177 R/35 G). This is the best ratio in the National League with a specific leadoff hitter.
Hernandez's .687 OPS in 2015 ranked 17th out of 21 qualified second baseman throughout all of major league baseball.
Barring trade or further setbacks, Hernandez is expected to be the Phillies' Opening Day second baseman next season on April 4 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
