Yadiel Hernández is off to a stupendous start in his second stint in the Dominican Winter League. The outfielder is leading the Águilas Cibaeñas with a .340 average 16 games into the LIDOM. The savvy veteran played 13 games in the LIDOM with the Estrellas Orientales in 2018, but only hit .218 during that season. In spite of that performance Hernández is a lifetime .316 hitter in the Caribbean circuits.
The left-handed hitter’s best season during the winter was with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in 2020 when he hit .337 with five dingers and a team leading 43 RBIs. Hernández has proven that he is a force to reckoned with no matter what league he has played in or level of pitching he has faced.
The ex-big leaguer hit a solid .267 in three seasons in the majors with the Washington Nationals and is looking to either return to the grand stage or earn a contract with either a Mexican or Asian ballclub next spring. After he was released by Washington this summer the native of Matanzas, Cuba hit .281 with six longballs and 39 runs batted in during 64 games with the Sultanes de Monterrey.
La liiiinea 👀 Yadiel Hernández remolca la segunda de las @aguilascibaenas 🦅👏🏻#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/nVKbWslES1
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) October 29, 2023
Yadiel you are off to a tremendous start in the Dominican League. This is your second stint in the league, what have you done differently that has propelled you to this hot start?
I think that at the beginning of the I have focused on selecting good pitches. Also on swinging at good pitches that are in the strike zone. I think that’s where the good start comes from, everything is just in sync right now.
You played in San Pedro (de Macorís) and now you are playingin Santiago (de los Caballeros). How different is it to play at the Cibao, are the fans are a bit more fierce?
In all the Winter Leagues where I have played there has been good level of talent. But I feel that this is the strongest league in the Caribbean from a hitters standpoint. The pitching here is strong, the strongest in the Confederation. I feel like this league is a little bit stronger than the others.
Tell me how it makes you feel to get together with colleagues like Yuniesky Maya, we saw you get together now with Jorge Martínez, Raúl Valdés and reconnect with them in the Dominican Republic.
I think that is good for meeting place for all the Cubans who are coming up, those who have arrived. This is evidence that Cuban players have the talent to play at any level in baseball. On the other hand, meeting several Cubans here is nice. Everyone in general is doing a good job and representing their team in this league. I am confident that us Cubans are capable of thriving in a lot of leagues worldwide.
The Lidom is a platform for anyone looking to sign in various leagues and you have performed well. At 36 years old, are you still looking for another opportunity in the Major Leagues?
Yes, of course. One always sets one’s standards high. I want to return to the majors or go to any league that presents itself with an offer. This here is a process, it is a job. You go out and give your everything to try to secure another job wherever it appears.
A final message to the Águilas fans and why not to the Cubans who follow baseball throughout the world.
The message is to continue supporting the Águilas team and not to lose the faith in us. To all the Cubans around the world, do not give up, continue working and holding your head high.