Cesar Bernhardt

Cesar Enriquillo Bernhardt

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 148 lb.

• Born January 18, 1969 in San Pedro de Macoris, San Pedro de Macoris, D.R.

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

The son of Juan Bernhardt, nephew of Carlos Bernhardt and Jose Bernhardt, and cousin of Josephang Bernhardt, Cesar Bernhardt is a former second base prospect who played in the Chicago White Sox organization. During his best season, he was replaced briefly in the field by a sportswriter, Rick Wolff.

Bernhardt debuted in 1986 with the Appleton Foxes (.276/~.313/.395 in 19 games) and GCL White Sox (.184/~.257/.214 in 42 games). In 1987, Cesar hit a respectable .252/~.292/.372 as a 19-year-old for the Charleston Wheelers with 28 doubles, but wasn't even the best second baseman with the initials C.B. playing for a Charleston team in the South Atlantic League that year as the Charleston Rainbows had Carlos Baerga.

In 1988, Bernhardt hit .282/~.308/.332 for the South Bend White Sox and led the team in at-bats (482) and hits (136). He stole 26 bases in 42 tries while splitting his time between second, the outfield and DH. He returned to South Bend the next year and led the outfit in games (127), AB (493) and hits (148). His 81 RBI tied Terrel Hansen for the Midwest League lead and his .300/~.343/.418 line placed him second to Adam Casillas in the batting title race. He also led the MWL in both hits and total bases (206). Bernhardt made the MWL All-Star team at second base. That year, Rick Wolff, a Sports Illustrated writer, was writing an article on minor league baseball. He replaced Bernhardt for three games, going 4 for 7 at the plate.

Moving up to AA in 1990, the 21-year-old Cesar led the Southern League in at-bats (574) and tied for the league lead in games (142). He hit .279/~.332/.387 for the Birmingham Barons and stole 30 bases, but was caught 15 times. His 9 triples were second in the SL behind Andujar Cedeno. Going into 1991, he was ranked the club's #6 prospect by Baseball America.

Bernhardt split 1991 between Birmingham (.272/~.348/.379 in 26 games) and the Vancouver Canadians, hitting .260/~.299/.331 in the only 87 games he would play at the AAA level. Cesar finished his US career in 1992 with the Barons (.181/~.238/.181 in 24 contests) and the Stockton Ports (.306/~.397/.434 in 47 games) of the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

In 1993, he moved to the Chinese Professional Baseball League and hit .257/.277/.390 in 38 games for the Uni-President Lions. He fielded .959 between six different positions. He returned to the United States in 1994, playing for the Orlando Cubs in the Chicago Cubs organization. He hit .263/.335/.314 in 48 games.

Following his playing days, it appears he remained in the United States, settling at one point in Indiana.

Sources: 1987-1993 Baseball Almanacs, 1989 and 1991 Baseball Guides, CPBL Player Page, Chinese Wiki Baseball

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