Rudy Hernandez (minors01)

From BR Bullpen

RudyHernandez.jpg

Rodolfo Jesus Hernandez

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 5' 10", Weight 158 lb

BR Minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Rudy Hernandez played five seasons in the minor leagues, hitting .250 in 493 games.

Hernandez debuted with the 1987 Kingsport Mets, hitting .264/~.356/.347 with 31 walks in 66 games. Returning to Kingsport in 1988, Hernandez was even better. He led Appalachian League second basemen in putouts (151), assists (206) and double plays (43) and also led the entire loop in hits (84). He stole 15 bases in 22 tries. He batted .296/~.394/.377 for the season, finishing 9th in average and probably higher in OBP. In 72 games, he scored 52 (4th in the league) and drove in 54, trailing only league MVP Vince Zawaski. He was the league All-Star at second base. While six of his teammates from champion Kingsport would make it to the majors, Hernandez would not.

In 1989, the infielder hit .250/~.295/.302 in 115 games. He wasn't the most notable Hernandez on the St. Lucie Mets, though - Keith Hernandez stopped by on a rehab assignment.

The next year, the 22-year-old was with the Jackson Mets. He led the Texas League's second basemen in putouts (259) and fielding percentage (.980). He produced at a .242/~.310/.296 in 123 games. He stole 32 bases, but was also caught 16 times.

Hernandez concluded his playing career in 1991 with the Williamsport Bills and wrote his ticket out of baseball by only batting .217/~.344/.300 in 117 games. He did steal 25 bases and drew 67 walks.

After stints as manager of the Elizabethton Twins and GCL Twins, he was a coach with the Swing of the Quad Cities in 2004. From 2005 to 2008 he was a coach for the Beloit Snappers. He moved to the GCL Twins in 2009, the New Britain Rock Cats in 2010, the GCL Twins again in 2011, the New Britain Rock Cats again in 2012, and the GCL Twins again in 2013-2014. In 2015, he was added to the big league team's coaching staff as assistant hitting coach. He became co-hitting coach in 2020, staying until the end of the 2021 season. In 2023, he returned to the team as hitting coach, sharing the position with David Popkins.

Hernandez has also scouted for the Minnesota Twins, signing Alex Romero.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs
2000 San Joaquin Venezuelan Summer League 35-24 4th Co-op
2001 Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League 41-22 1st Minnesota Twins Lost League Finals
2002 GCL Twins Gulf Coast League 35-25 4th Minnesota Twins
2003 GCL Twins Gulf Coast League 28-31 7th Minnesota Twins

Related Sites^[edit]