Rafael Hernandez played where needed, saw 4 pro seasons
Kingsport Met Rafael Hernandez had played three different infield positions for the club by late July 1991. He'd also batted in multiple spots in the lineup, The Kingsport Times-News wrote.
For Hernandez, the important thing was he was playing, he told The Times-News.
"I play wherever they need me," Hernandez told The Times-News then. "I like playing third, but I don't care where I play."
Hernandez ended up playing for the Mets over four campaigns. He topped out at short-season.
Hernandez' career began in 1990, signed by the Mets as a free agent out of his native Venezuela.
Hernandez started with the Mets in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 28 games and hit .198.
He moved to rookie Kingsport for 1991. He went 3 for 5 in a June game. He hit .217 overall in 47 games. For 1992, he arrived at short-season Pittsfield. In 36 games that year, he hit .161.
He then returned to Pittsfield for 1993. He spoke to The Berkshire Eagle then about repeating Pittsfield.
"You want to move up in the game, but I feel good coming back to Pittsfield," Hernandez told The Eagle. "I know the place and I know the people are very friendly."
Hernandez saw 49 games that year and hit .220. That season marked his last as a pro.
- Kingsport Times-News, July 21, 1991: Hernandez holding his own despite wide-ranging duties
- Berkshire Eagle, June 16, 1993: Pittsfield greets Mets
Made the Majors:1,469-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,157-68.2%-X