The Rangers re-signed first baseman/outfielder Elier Hernandez to a minor league deal earlier this month, as per Hernandez’s MLB.com profile page. The 28-year-old received an invitation to the Rangers’ big league Spring Training camp.
Since first signing with Texas during the 2020-21 offseason, Hernandez has played primarily at Triple-A Round Rock, and he hit a strong .298/.356/.524 with 13 homers and 21 doubles over 351 plate appearances at the Triple-A. A level in 2022. This performance resulted in Hernandez making his Major League debut, although he hit a modest .182/.200/.242 in 35 PA over 14 games with Texas last season. The Rangers designated the outfielder for assignment in August and then outrighted him off their 40-man roster.
After electing to become a minor league free agent, Hernandez will now return to the Rangers organization for another season as a depth option. Hernandez has experience at all three outfield positions and has also seen some action at first base over the last two seasons, increasing his versatility. His chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot might depend on who stays healthy in the camp, but the Rangers’ left field situation is still unsettled (barring an acquisition of a veteran player), so there’s some opportunity for Hernandez to carve out a platoon role if he has a big spring.
Hernandez is a veteran of 10 pro seasons, mostly in the Royals organization. He made his debut at age 17 in 2012, after signing as an international free agent the previous summer for a sizable $3.05MM bonus. Over 981 games and 4018 plate appearances in the minor leagues, Hernandez has a .261/.310/.387 slash line and 67 homers.
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