Enrique Hernández Bio
Enrique José Hernández González Jr., born on August 24, 1991, is a Puerto Rican professional baseball utility player. Known as Kike, he has played in Major League Baseball for teams such as the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Hernández made his debut in 2014. Throughout his career, he has gained recognition for exceptional postseason performances, contributing to World Series championships with the Dodgers in 2020, 2024, and 2025. Off the field, he is married to Mariana and they have a daughter together.
Early Life and Background
Enrique Hernández was born in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and is the eldest child of Enrique Hernández Sr., a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Mónica González, who owns a boutique. He has two younger sisters and began playing baseball at the age of six, participating in international youth tournaments in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Hernández attended the American Military Academy in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where he developed his skills further. Although he was 5 feet 6 inches tall in his junior year, he grew 5 inches during his senior year, which likely contributed to his athletic development.
Path to Baseball
The Houston Astros drafted Enrique Hernández in the sixth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, offering him a signing bonus of $150,000. He played primarily at second base and third base in the minor leagues before making his major league debut on July 1, 2014, against the Seattle Mariners. In his debut, he collected two hits, including a ground-rule double, and hit his first home run the following day. His early career showcased his versatility as he played every position except catcher, with significant time spent in the outfield and at second base.
Enrique Hernández Career
Early Career (2014-2015)
After his debut, Hernández was traded to the Miami Marlins on July 31, 2014, where he continued to develop his skills. He hit his first career grand slam while with the Marlins, but his time there was brief. In December 2014, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he began to establish himself as a key player. In 2015, he played in 76 games, batting .307 and leading all MLB hitters in batting average against left-handers.
Breakthrough (2016-2020)
Hernández’s breakout moment came during the 2017 postseason when he hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in a single game of the National League Championship Series. This performance tied the record for most RBIs in a postseason game and helped propel the Dodgers to the World Series. Despite a challenging 2018 season, he managed to hit a career-high 21 home runs. His contributions were pivotal in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory, where he became the first player to pinch hit a game-tying home run in a winner-take-all postseason game.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hernández has been a significant contributor to the Dodgers’ success, winning three World Series championships in 2020, 2024, and 2025. His postseason performances have solidified his reputation as a clutch player.
Enrique Hernández Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Enrique Hernández has been recognized for his exceptional performances, particularly in the postseason, contributing to his teams’ successes in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
Enrique Hernández Awards Won
Enrique Hernández has won three World Series championships, a testament to his skill and contributions to his teams during critical moments in the postseason.
Enrique Hernández Family
Enrique Hernández is married to Mariana, and the couple welcomed their daughter in January 2021. His family has been a source of support throughout his career.
Personal Life
Hernández and his wife married in December 2018 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has openly discussed his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), referring to it as both his “superpower” and “kryptonite,” which he attributes to his continued success in high-pressure situations during the postseason.