Ronaldo José Hernández (born November 11, 1997) is a Colombian professional baseballcatcher who is a free agent. He is currently considered a phantom ballplayer, having spent multiple stints on the active roster of the Boston Red Sox without making an appearance in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 230 pounds (100 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
On November 20, 2019, the Rays added Hernández to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[8] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
Hernández began the 2022 season with Worcester. He was selected to Boston's active roster on April 19, after both Christian Vázquez and Kevin Plawecki were placed on the COVID-19 injured list,[11] then returned to Worcester the following day, when Vázquez was reactivated.[12] The Red Sox again added Hernández to their major-league roster for one game, on August 1, following the trade of Vázquez and prior to catcher Reese McGuire joining the team.[13] Hernández spending time on Boston's active roster without yet appearing in a major-league game made him an example of a phantom ballplayer. In 105 games for Worcester, he hit .261/.298/.451 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI. On December 2, Hernández was removed from the 40-man roster, and sent outright to Triple–A.[14]
Hernández spent the 2023 season back in Worcester, playing in 99 games and batting .242/.336/.445 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[15]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On December 20, 2023, Hernández signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[16] He played in 63 games for the Triple–A Reno Aces in 2024, slashing .311/.357/.507 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI. Hernández was released by the Diamondbacks organization on September 18, 2024.[17]