The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a high at the moment! First of all, they were on the verge of a four-game loss. However, the Dodgers managed to pull back and got into winning ways. All thanks to their superstar outfielder, Teoscar Hernandez, who finally rose to the occasion and blasted off a home run. This led to the Dodgers winning against the Washington Nationals and preventing the fourth loss in a row. While many of us love watching our favorite players making it big, a tough phase that they may have gone through often goes unnoticed.

There was a similar stage when the Dodgers star was on the verge of quitting baseball before making it into the major league. Teoscar Hernández, now a standout outfielder for the Dodgers, faced significant hurdles before reaching the major leagues. Growing up in Maimon, Dominican Republic, Hernandez was frequently dismissed by scouts who doubted his speed and power, labeling him a “tweener”—a player not fitting neatly into any position. Between the ages of 15 and 18, he participated in over a hundred tryouts without securing a contract, leading to immense frustration.

The 32-year-old Dominican outfielder recently opened up about his experience and the difficult times he had during an episode of “Abriendo Sports.” At one point, he considered hanging up his cleats without experiencing Major League Baseball because it was so difficult. The reason was that Teoscar Hernandez was unable to find a contract on his table for the majors. The thirty teams in MLB didn’t show any interest in him, leaving him ignored, frustrated, and devastated as a whole.

However, it doesn’t mean that Hernandez performed poorly. Rather, he consistently performed, and despite him being 18 years of age at that time, he was still without a contract. However, Teoscar Hernandez finally grabbed the attention of the Houston Astros in 2011, and there’s been no turning back since then. In addition to creating a new chapter in his life, the Astros’ signing enabled him to rise to the top of the major league hitter rankings.

He received a $20,000 signing bonus when he joined the Astros in 2011. His initial seasons were spent honing his skills in the minor leagues, where he showcased potential but struggled to capture the attention of major league scouts. It wasn’t until 2016 that Hernández made his MLB debut with the Astros. However, his time in Houston was short-lived; in 2017, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was with Toronto that Hernández began to flourish, gradually establishing himself as a formidable outfielder and power hitter. ​

Followed by the Mariners, until finally signing with the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. In 2024, Teoscar Hernandez had a good run with the bat as he posted 33 home runs with 99 RBIs at an average of .272 with .339 OBP and .840 OPS. That tells a lot about his effective swing of the bat and his ability to change the course of the game. Recognizing his value, the Dodgers secured his talents with a three-year, $66 million contract extension.​ Well, going by the way Hernandez is performing at the moment, the Dodgers have made the right decision. And it’s reflected in the way Hernandez saved the Dodgers from a shameful defeat. 

Teoscar Hernandez becomes Dodgers savior 

 Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez managed to save the team from losing the fourth game in a row. The Dodgers and Nationals were up against each other in the three-game series, and the Dodgers were in a terrible position, losing three games in a row. However, their star outfielder rose to the occasion when the team needed him the most, smashing a home run against Jake Irvin. It was also his fifth in the 2025 season. He even managed to post three more runs in the form of a go-ahead run during the seventh inning that finally sealed the deal for the Dodgers. But that’s not all!

Teoscar Hernandez proved his mettle, showing his importance in the Dodgers’ lineup. While many of us know about his batting proficiency, it’s his ability to judge the game beforehand. His impressive performance, though, couldn’t stop the Dodgers from losing the series by 2-1 against the Washington Nationals; Hernandez made sure to take his team to a 3-0 score. Focusing on the Dodgers performance, Dave Roberts said, “It never feels good losing a series, but when you win the last one to salvage it, it’s not so bad.” Teoscar Hernández boasts a .283 batting average, with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs, placing him among the top performers in the league .

From being overlooked at over a hundred tryouts to becoming the hero of one of MLB’s most storied franchises, his journey is more than just a baseball story. What’s your say on this?