The Los Angeles Dodgers have a star-studded lineup, but according to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, one player stands out as the most critical to the team's success—and he's in serious need of a turnaround. That player is left fielder Teoscar Hernandez.

Through 38 games this season, Hernandez has posted a .697 OPS, a far cry from the explosive start he showcased in the year's opening weeks. During the Dodgers' first six series, he was one of the team's most dangerous hitters, launching four home runs and boasting an OPS above .900. But since that scorching 14-4 start, the bats have gone cold—and Hernandez has been at the center of the slump.

Miller highlighted the dilemma, noting that while pitcher Roki Sasaki could be a candidate for this label, the rotation would still be formidable without him. "Conversely, they pretty well need Hernández in left, and he has been arguably the weakest link of this offense," Miller wrote. "He was great early on... but since then? Hernández has no dingers and a .512 OPS while the Dodgers have gone 10-14."

There are glimmers of hope, however. Over his last three games, Hernandez has collected multiple hits in two of them, including a 2-for-3 performance against the San Francisco Giants on Monday and another two-hit, one-RBI outing in Wednesday's 4-0 shutout win—his first RBI since April 27. It's a promising sign for a player known to heat up as the season progresses.

Despite the recent uptick, Hernandez's underlying metrics tell a more cautious story. He sits around league average in most Statcast categories, with the notable exceptions of average exit velocity and chase percentage, both hovering near the 70th percentile. That said, history suggests patience may pay off. In his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, Hernandez exploded after the All-Star break, posting a .902 OPS and crushing 14 of his 33 home runs in just 59 games. Even in 2025, though his OPS dipped slightly late in the year, he still delivered 11 homers in the second half.

For a Dodgers team built on depth and power, getting Hernandez back to his All-Star form could be the spark that reignites the lineup. If his track record is any guide, the breakout might be just around the corner.