Joc Pederson was honored with his first All-Star selection on Monday, joining a few of his Dodger teammates. Right now he's third in the National League in walks (56), fifth in home runs (20), and 10th in slugging % (.502).
He also has a chance to be a starter if Matt Holliday can't comeback from a quad injury.
Things are going very well for him, no doubt.
But now comes a dose of reality: Pederson has struggled more and more as each month passes by.
Here are the numbers to prove it, as we look at his average and slugging % by the month:
April: .298 AVG, .596 SLG
May: .236 AVG, .519 SLG
June: .222 AVG, .495 SLG
July (5 games): .059 AVG, .111 SLG
No matter who the player is, those aren't pretty numbers that continue to dip more and more each month.
Look, I'm a big fan of Pederson. It's hard not to like a guy who can patrol center and make amazing catches with such ease. He sure as heck is a big upgrade from watching Matt Kemp struggle there at the beginning of last season, giving away one run after another.
This isn't about his defense at all. In 164 total chances this year, he only has two errors, good for a .988 fielding %. He's quickly turned himself into one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.
I'm focusing solely on his numbers at the plate, where he's regressed a little more and more as the season has gone on. He puts all of his eggs in one basket, as he's all about the power. Well, over his last 13 games, he's hit two doubles and one homer. Everyone goes through slumps, but he only has six hits total over the span, so it's not like he has a Plan B to go to.
One area that he's been consistent in is unfortunately strikeouts. Over that same 13-game span, he's struck out a whopping 17 times. In fact, he's currently leading the National League in strikeouts at 99, placing him fourth in all of baseball. I know power guys will experience their fair share of K's, but it's getting harder to ignore when it seems like every game lately he's walking back to the dugout instead of around the bases after a big hit.
By the way, here's his strikeouts by the month: 22, 37, 35, 5. That's a lot of swings, and a lot of misses.
I'm not trying to rain on Pederson's parade, as based on his overall play, he deserves to be in the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati. Along with guys like Kris Bryant and Carlos Correa, he's one of the most exciting young players in the game.
But I am saying that there's still plenty of room for improvement, and it starts with the little things like cutting down on his swing with two strikes, and not being so "homer happy" in any circumstance. As the Dodgers go through the ebb and flow of scoring runs, he's a huge part of that hitting leadoff most games.
Some adjustments at the plate can go a long way. He just needs to embrace that.
Showing posts with label Pederson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pederson. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Monday, July 6, 2015
Four Dodgers are off to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati
The Dodgers were shut out of any starters for this year's All-Star Game, but they certainly weren't for reserves.
Congratulations are in order for Joc Pederson, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, and Zack Greinke for representing the Dodgers in the National League. All very well-deserved picks.
Clayton Kershaw is one name not on the list, but he still has a chance to be added via the "Final Five" voting. Simply put, if the fans want him in, he'll have to beat out Troy Tulowitzki, Johnny Cueto, Jeurys Familia, and Carlos Martinez. It's hard to ever guess how this voting process can go, so it's a toss-up right now.
Two names who had a chance but are on the outside looking in are Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. Turner is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering he's .312 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs, and has taken over full-time duties at third base for the departed Juan Uribe. I think he still has a chance of getting in once injury replacements are named. Jansen has a bit of a chance with 13 saves and a 1.93 ERA, but losing some time with the injured foot didn't help his cause.
Both Greinke and Pederson have great chances at ending up being starters. Greinke is 7-2 with an NL-leading 1.48 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He next pitches on Thursday, which lines him up perfectly to pitch the following Tuesday on full rest. Of course, Bruce Bochy also can say the same about his own Madison Bumgarner, who will be on four-days' rest. Max Scherzer will be on a full week of rest, and it's hard to ignore his numbers, too.
Pederson could quite possibly sub for Matt Holliday, who is battling a sore quad. If Holliday can't go, then an outfield of Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen (subbing for Giancarlo Stanton), and Pederson would be young and fun to watch. He will have to compete with A.J. Pollack and Justin Upton for the honor. On the season, Pederson has smacked 20 homers and 35 RBIs, though he's struggled a bit with a .234 AVG.
A-Gon will be making his fifth appearance, and first as a Dodger. He hit a home run in his last appearance in 2011 with the Red Sox. This year, he's hitting .291 with 23 doubles, 15 homers, and 50 RBIs.
It's great to see Grandal getting the final nod at catcher behind Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Hopefully he can sneak at least one inning in, as those two could probably go the full nine if they wanted. Grandal leads NL catchers with an .881 OPS, just above Posey. Not bad.
Congratulations are in order for Joc Pederson, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, and Zack Greinke for representing the Dodgers in the National League. All very well-deserved picks.
Clayton Kershaw is one name not on the list, but he still has a chance to be added via the "Final Five" voting. Simply put, if the fans want him in, he'll have to beat out Troy Tulowitzki, Johnny Cueto, Jeurys Familia, and Carlos Martinez. It's hard to ever guess how this voting process can go, so it's a toss-up right now.
Two names who had a chance but are on the outside looking in are Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. Turner is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering he's .312 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs, and has taken over full-time duties at third base for the departed Juan Uribe. I think he still has a chance of getting in once injury replacements are named. Jansen has a bit of a chance with 13 saves and a 1.93 ERA, but losing some time with the injured foot didn't help his cause.
Both Greinke and Pederson have great chances at ending up being starters. Greinke is 7-2 with an NL-leading 1.48 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He next pitches on Thursday, which lines him up perfectly to pitch the following Tuesday on full rest. Of course, Bruce Bochy also can say the same about his own Madison Bumgarner, who will be on four-days' rest. Max Scherzer will be on a full week of rest, and it's hard to ignore his numbers, too.
Pederson could quite possibly sub for Matt Holliday, who is battling a sore quad. If Holliday can't go, then an outfield of Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen (subbing for Giancarlo Stanton), and Pederson would be young and fun to watch. He will have to compete with A.J. Pollack and Justin Upton for the honor. On the season, Pederson has smacked 20 homers and 35 RBIs, though he's struggled a bit with a .234 AVG.
A-Gon will be making his fifth appearance, and first as a Dodger. He hit a home run in his last appearance in 2011 with the Red Sox. This year, he's hitting .291 with 23 doubles, 15 homers, and 50 RBIs.
It's great to see Grandal getting the final nod at catcher behind Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Hopefully he can sneak at least one inning in, as those two could probably go the full nine if they wanted. Grandal leads NL catchers with an .881 OPS, just above Posey. Not bad.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Move Joc out, and move Puig into the leadoff spot
There's a lot to love about Joc Pederson. From his mammoth home runs to tracking down fly balls all over the outfield, he's certainly an exciting guy to watch play.
I just happen to not like watching him strikeout to start every game. I doubt I'm the only one.
As good as Joc is and will continue to be, hitting him in the leadoff spot needs to stop. Now.
Let's check out the numbers. He's started 46 games in the leadoff spot, and is putting together this line: .231 AVG, .357 OBP, 14 HR, 24 RBI, 30 BB, 60 K. If you're someone who can live with the strikeouts in exchange for all of the longballs, then he's your guy.
But a deeper look into his stats leading off tells a different story. When he's leading off an inning, as in only the at-bats when he's up first no matter what inning the game is in, here's how he looks: 14-for-83, .169 AVG, .296 OBP, 4 HR, 4 RBI, 13 BB, 38 K.
Not nearly as impressive.
The last three games in Miami (two wins), Joc has done the following leading off the game: struck out looking, struck out swinging, and struck out swinging. The Dodgers scored seven runs on Friday, then put up two runs apiece the next two games. I'm not at all saying that Joc is solely responsible for the offense flattening out over the weekend, but he's not helping it either. When you're starting each game with the leadoff hitter walking back to the dugout after strike three, it's not exactly setting the right tone.
So what's my solution? Well, it's definitely not putting Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot, as he barely deserves to even be starting anymore. I'm not that crazy.
However, I would suggest putting another "power" guy in that slot: Yasiel Puig.
Here's the thing with Puig - we're still waiting for more power from him. (That's why I just referred to him as being a "power" guy in quotes.) In 30 games this year, he has three homers. After the All-Star break last year (and after he pulled an O'fer in the Home Run Derby), he hit four homers in 215 at-bats.
Maybe he'll be a big home run hitter someday, but that day isn't right now.
I would put Puig in the first spot, where he's not nearly as susceptible to striking out (20 in 29 games) as Joc is (89 in 75). Plus, Puig is hitting .360 (9-for-25) when leading off an inning, so the Dodgers will gladly take that.
Joc can then slide down to hit somewhere in the heart of the order, which can be anywhere from 3-5. Maybe he'll be more comfortable there, as he clearly hasn't looked good swinging and missing over and over leading off.
The offense as a whole is still not scoring much, as it seems like the second they have a good couple of games or so, they go right back to barely scoring a thing right after. Tweaking the lineup a bit can only help, and this is where I would begin.
I just happen to not like watching him strikeout to start every game. I doubt I'm the only one.
As good as Joc is and will continue to be, hitting him in the leadoff spot needs to stop. Now.
Let's check out the numbers. He's started 46 games in the leadoff spot, and is putting together this line: .231 AVG, .357 OBP, 14 HR, 24 RBI, 30 BB, 60 K. If you're someone who can live with the strikeouts in exchange for all of the longballs, then he's your guy.
But a deeper look into his stats leading off tells a different story. When he's leading off an inning, as in only the at-bats when he's up first no matter what inning the game is in, here's how he looks: 14-for-83, .169 AVG, .296 OBP, 4 HR, 4 RBI, 13 BB, 38 K.
Not nearly as impressive.
The last three games in Miami (two wins), Joc has done the following leading off the game: struck out looking, struck out swinging, and struck out swinging. The Dodgers scored seven runs on Friday, then put up two runs apiece the next two games. I'm not at all saying that Joc is solely responsible for the offense flattening out over the weekend, but he's not helping it either. When you're starting each game with the leadoff hitter walking back to the dugout after strike three, it's not exactly setting the right tone.
So what's my solution? Well, it's definitely not putting Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot, as he barely deserves to even be starting anymore. I'm not that crazy.
However, I would suggest putting another "power" guy in that slot: Yasiel Puig.
Here's the thing with Puig - we're still waiting for more power from him. (That's why I just referred to him as being a "power" guy in quotes.) In 30 games this year, he has three homers. After the All-Star break last year (and after he pulled an O'fer in the Home Run Derby), he hit four homers in 215 at-bats.
Maybe he'll be a big home run hitter someday, but that day isn't right now.
I would put Puig in the first spot, where he's not nearly as susceptible to striking out (20 in 29 games) as Joc is (89 in 75). Plus, Puig is hitting .360 (9-for-25) when leading off an inning, so the Dodgers will gladly take that.
Joc can then slide down to hit somewhere in the heart of the order, which can be anywhere from 3-5. Maybe he'll be more comfortable there, as he clearly hasn't looked good swinging and missing over and over leading off.
The offense as a whole is still not scoring much, as it seems like the second they have a good couple of games or so, they go right back to barely scoring a thing right after. Tweaking the lineup a bit can only help, and this is where I would begin.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Grandal is back, and Rollins is dropped to 8th
A couple of items to discuss before the Dodgers once again try to solve the puzzle this is the St. Louis Cardinals...
* Yasmani Grandal is being activated from the 7-day concussion DL, needing the minimum amount of days to do so. He got knocked around, literally, in the noggin against the Padres a week ago, so precaution was understandably taken. Chris Heisey will be sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, just four days shy of five full years of service time, meaning he could've refused the assignment. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that why he was the chosen one.
For now, the Dodgers plan on keeping three catchers on the active roster, meaning young Austin Barnes will be the emergency catcher. I can't imagine that will last long; maybe only as long as Grandal shows he's fully healthy and there's no reason to worry about him.
The Dodgers definitely needed this bit of good news, as Ellis has given them next to nothing at the plate. No one will ever question his heart and preparation with the pitching staff, but at the plate, he's about as lousy as one can get. There is nothing about him with the lumber that scares anyone.
* The other bit of news is that after starting all 41 games he's played in the #2 hole, Don Mattingly has decided to slide Jimmy Rollins down to #8. In his place will be Justin Turner making another start at third.
This is a move many people, myself included, have been clamoring for for many weeks. Rollins is only hitting .210 with a .278 OBP. But, if you look a little closer at the stats, you'll see that he's on a six-game hitting streak, raising his average from .194. He also had the Dodgers' only extra-base hit on Friday, a double.
So why the switch? I have to think it's because Donnie is trying all he can to wake up a deadbeat offense on the road. They've gone an absurd 37 straight innings away from home without scoring one damn run. That really is embarrassing. So while Rollins has improved, it's not like he's killing the ball, it's been mostly singles.
I like the move because it gets some new blood at the top, as Turner is hitting .298 with a .383 OBP, five homers, and 19 RBIs. He's one of those guys who consistently leaves a mark when he's in the starting lineup, so why not move him to a more important spot in the order?
The next domino falling in the order could be Joc Pederson. He's had an exciting season, but is striking out way too much at 57, and has only taken two walks in his last nine games. That's not exactly a good combination for the leadoff hitter. He'll still have his games where he's tearing the cover off the ball, but when he's not, it's a whole lot of swings and misses.
Maybe Rollins continues to hit well from the #8 spot. I can then see him becoming the leadoff hitter, moving Pederson down to #5 or #6 to drive in more runs with that wicked swing of his. We shall see.
* Yasmani Grandal is being activated from the 7-day concussion DL, needing the minimum amount of days to do so. He got knocked around, literally, in the noggin against the Padres a week ago, so precaution was understandably taken. Chris Heisey will be sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, just four days shy of five full years of service time, meaning he could've refused the assignment. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that why he was the chosen one.
For now, the Dodgers plan on keeping three catchers on the active roster, meaning young Austin Barnes will be the emergency catcher. I can't imagine that will last long; maybe only as long as Grandal shows he's fully healthy and there's no reason to worry about him.
The Dodgers definitely needed this bit of good news, as Ellis has given them next to nothing at the plate. No one will ever question his heart and preparation with the pitching staff, but at the plate, he's about as lousy as one can get. There is nothing about him with the lumber that scares anyone.
* The other bit of news is that after starting all 41 games he's played in the #2 hole, Don Mattingly has decided to slide Jimmy Rollins down to #8. In his place will be Justin Turner making another start at third.
This is a move many people, myself included, have been clamoring for for many weeks. Rollins is only hitting .210 with a .278 OBP. But, if you look a little closer at the stats, you'll see that he's on a six-game hitting streak, raising his average from .194. He also had the Dodgers' only extra-base hit on Friday, a double.
So why the switch? I have to think it's because Donnie is trying all he can to wake up a deadbeat offense on the road. They've gone an absurd 37 straight innings away from home without scoring one damn run. That really is embarrassing. So while Rollins has improved, it's not like he's killing the ball, it's been mostly singles.
I like the move because it gets some new blood at the top, as Turner is hitting .298 with a .383 OBP, five homers, and 19 RBIs. He's one of those guys who consistently leaves a mark when he's in the starting lineup, so why not move him to a more important spot in the order?
The next domino falling in the order could be Joc Pederson. He's had an exciting season, but is striking out way too much at 57, and has only taken two walks in his last nine games. That's not exactly a good combination for the leadoff hitter. He'll still have his games where he's tearing the cover off the ball, but when he's not, it's a whole lot of swings and misses.
Maybe Rollins continues to hit well from the #8 spot. I can then see him becoming the leadoff hitter, moving Pederson down to #5 or #6 to drive in more runs with that wicked swing of his. We shall see.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Early Dodgers' All-Star candidates
As June is about to approach, the All-Star Game chatter will start to pick up. Here's an early look at who I believe has a realistic chance of representing the Dodgers in the Midsummer Classic for the National League.
Definitely:
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B. He still has some work to do in holding off big sluggers like Paul Goldschmidt, Anthony Rizzo, and Lucas Duda. But for now, there's no denying that at .344 with 17 doubles, 10 homers, and 35 RBIs, A-Gon is more than deserving of the start. He's been the rock in the heart of the Dodgers' order.
Zack Greinke, SP. It's been Greinke, and not Clayton Kershaw, who's been the Dodgers' go-to guy on the mound. At 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, he's just behind A.J. Burnett for tops in the NL. He has a massive contract, and is pitching like a guy who wants to opt out and get an even more bloated one. Good for him.
Possibly:
Howie Kendrick, 2B. He's been everything the Dodgers hoped he would be: a solid hitter right next to A-Gon, and terrific with the glove. It won't be easy to make the squad, as there are three guys ahead of him with higher averages: Dee Gordon, DJ LeMahieu, and Kolten Wong. Plus, Joe Panik, Brandon Phillips, and Daniel Murphy are lurking right behind. It's actually a pretty deep position when you break it down.
Yasmani Grandal, C. The numbers are certainly there: .291 AVG, .403 OBP, 4 HR, 17 RBI. What's working against him is that in the NL, you'll always have to beat out Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Good luck with that! So maybe he slides in as the third catcher, which is possible.
Joc Pederson, CF. It's been quite the start to the season for Mr. All or Nothing, as he is tied for third in NL outfielders with 12 home runs, and has third to himself with 54 strikeouts. He's been a fun player to watch between the moonshots and the great glove in center, so he definitely has people's attention. There's just so much talent in the outfield already, it's going to be difficult to find a spot. But if he keeps putting up numbers and making highlight reels, he has a chance.
Kenley Jansen, RP. This one won't be easy, only because he missed so much time with the foot injury. But so far, he's been flawless with four saves, and is still striking out everyone left and right. He'll need a huge month of June to get consideration, but if his ERA is still miniscule, he might slip in.
Definitely:
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B. He still has some work to do in holding off big sluggers like Paul Goldschmidt, Anthony Rizzo, and Lucas Duda. But for now, there's no denying that at .344 with 17 doubles, 10 homers, and 35 RBIs, A-Gon is more than deserving of the start. He's been the rock in the heart of the Dodgers' order.
Zack Greinke, SP. It's been Greinke, and not Clayton Kershaw, who's been the Dodgers' go-to guy on the mound. At 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, he's just behind A.J. Burnett for tops in the NL. He has a massive contract, and is pitching like a guy who wants to opt out and get an even more bloated one. Good for him.
Possibly:
Howie Kendrick, 2B. He's been everything the Dodgers hoped he would be: a solid hitter right next to A-Gon, and terrific with the glove. It won't be easy to make the squad, as there are three guys ahead of him with higher averages: Dee Gordon, DJ LeMahieu, and Kolten Wong. Plus, Joe Panik, Brandon Phillips, and Daniel Murphy are lurking right behind. It's actually a pretty deep position when you break it down.
Yasmani Grandal, C. The numbers are certainly there: .291 AVG, .403 OBP, 4 HR, 17 RBI. What's working against him is that in the NL, you'll always have to beat out Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Good luck with that! So maybe he slides in as the third catcher, which is possible.
Joc Pederson, CF. It's been quite the start to the season for Mr. All or Nothing, as he is tied for third in NL outfielders with 12 home runs, and has third to himself with 54 strikeouts. He's been a fun player to watch between the moonshots and the great glove in center, so he definitely has people's attention. There's just so much talent in the outfield already, it's going to be difficult to find a spot. But if he keeps putting up numbers and making highlight reels, he has a chance.
Kenley Jansen, RP. This one won't be easy, only because he missed so much time with the foot injury. But so far, he's been flawless with four saves, and is still striking out everyone left and right. He'll need a huge month of June to get consideration, but if his ERA is still miniscule, he might slip in.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Dodgers keep trudging through offensive struggles
Friday night was the latest in a line of poor offensive outputs, as the Dodgers managed only two runs at home against Andrew Cashner and the Padres.
Fortunately for them, Zack Greinke, Chris Hatcher, and Kenley Jansen were even better, as they pitched the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory.
It was a much-needed win, as the Dodgers have had one hell of a time getting anything going lately. This game was no different, as they managed only six hits, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. That "one" was a fifth inning RBI double down the right field line for Andre Ethier, snapping the Dodgers 35-inning scoreless streak.
35 painful innings, mercifully down the drain.
Greinke had it going until the seventh when Derek Norris hit a ground rule double to left, and scored on Will Venable's soft single into center. Joc Pederson did a great job trying to nail Norris at home, but he was called safe, and held up on replay. It was a very close call, and even though Norris's lead leg did not make contact with the plate, I thought it was still the right call.
At 1-1 in the eighth, the Dodgers were looking for a spark... ANY sort of spark. Leave it to Mr. "Swing Hard or Don't Swing at All" Pederson to do just that. He absolutely creamed an 0-2 fastball from Joaquin Benoit that caught way too much of the plate into center for a 430-foot solo homer.
Kenley Jansen didn't need many pitches, 12 in total, to set down the side in order for his second save.
It's not like the Dodgers busted out the big sticks and put all of their frustrations behind them, as they were a lot more bad than good on Friday. But, the positive way of looking at this game is that Pederson stepped up when his team needed him the most, and that can hopefully be the baby step that gets them going.
Speaking of Pederson, I did like the small adjustments he seemed to be making, as he went the other way in his first couple of at-bats. That's smart hitting, especially for a slumping guy hitting leadoff on a slumping team. When his team needed a big fly, that's when he went back to his all-or-nothing approach. It worked.
Now his team needs to get more guys in on the act, but it won't be easy. Yasmani Grandal had to exit after the fourth with concussion-like symptoms. He took the back end of a swing a couple of innings before, and though he tried to stick it out, was soon sent home. A.J. Ellis took over from there, and needless to say, that's not exactly an offensive upgrade.
Maybe this weekend will see guys like Adrian Gonzalez or Howie Kendrick go 5-for-5 with two homers. Or maybe they just add a couple of RBIs here or there. Whatever it takes to get different guys in the order going, I'm all for it.
And maybe that will lead to a sweep of the Padres, taking some of the sting away from getting crushed by the Giants.
Fortunately for them, Zack Greinke, Chris Hatcher, and Kenley Jansen were even better, as they pitched the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory.
It was a much-needed win, as the Dodgers have had one hell of a time getting anything going lately. This game was no different, as they managed only six hits, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. That "one" was a fifth inning RBI double down the right field line for Andre Ethier, snapping the Dodgers 35-inning scoreless streak.
35 painful innings, mercifully down the drain.
Greinke had it going until the seventh when Derek Norris hit a ground rule double to left, and scored on Will Venable's soft single into center. Joc Pederson did a great job trying to nail Norris at home, but he was called safe, and held up on replay. It was a very close call, and even though Norris's lead leg did not make contact with the plate, I thought it was still the right call.
At 1-1 in the eighth, the Dodgers were looking for a spark... ANY sort of spark. Leave it to Mr. "Swing Hard or Don't Swing at All" Pederson to do just that. He absolutely creamed an 0-2 fastball from Joaquin Benoit that caught way too much of the plate into center for a 430-foot solo homer.
Kenley Jansen didn't need many pitches, 12 in total, to set down the side in order for his second save.
It's not like the Dodgers busted out the big sticks and put all of their frustrations behind them, as they were a lot more bad than good on Friday. But, the positive way of looking at this game is that Pederson stepped up when his team needed him the most, and that can hopefully be the baby step that gets them going.
Speaking of Pederson, I did like the small adjustments he seemed to be making, as he went the other way in his first couple of at-bats. That's smart hitting, especially for a slumping guy hitting leadoff on a slumping team. When his team needed a big fly, that's when he went back to his all-or-nothing approach. It worked.
Now his team needs to get more guys in on the act, but it won't be easy. Yasmani Grandal had to exit after the fourth with concussion-like symptoms. He took the back end of a swing a couple of innings before, and though he tried to stick it out, was soon sent home. A.J. Ellis took over from there, and needless to say, that's not exactly an offensive upgrade.
Maybe this weekend will see guys like Adrian Gonzalez or Howie Kendrick go 5-for-5 with two homers. Or maybe they just add a couple of RBIs here or there. Whatever it takes to get different guys in the order going, I'm all for it.
And maybe that will lead to a sweep of the Padres, taking some of the sting away from getting crushed by the Giants.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Young Joc, Big Production
How much fun is it watching Joc Pederson right now?
The answer is: A LOT. After watching him hit a grand slam and make a terrific catch on Friday night in the Dodgers' easy 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks, it's obvious LA has a future star on its hands.
And the "future" looks like it'll happen now.
As Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com pointed out, Pederson is doing to the Dodgers what Yasiel Puig did in 2013. The only difference is that Pederson is doing it a couple of months sooner, as Puig was called up in June, while Pederson started the season in center.
So far, it looks like the Dodgers' brass has handled his arrival to LA perfectly. They didn't rush him through the system, even when it was obvious that his skills were way above the minor league level. He got his feet wet last September, and even endured some good-natured rookie hazing when he had to get his teammates coffee dressed in full uniform. He's still getting the business, as he entered each at-bat on Friday to a different boy band like Hanson. Wow!
During his appearance last September, he got 28 at-bats... and collected a measly four hits (all singles). He did take nine walks, so he at least showed an ability to get on base with a good eye. But he learned that the transition to the Big Leagues wasn't going to be all fine and dandy for the Pacific Coast League MVP.
And you know what? That small blip on the radar turned out to be a great thing. It gave Pederson plenty of motivation to improve his game for 2015, as there was no way he wanted to accept starting the season in Triple-A again, especially with Matt Kemp now out of the picture. Say what you want about Spring Training, but it was very important for him, and he responded by hitting .338 with six homers and 13 RBIs in 26 games. Point proven.
Now Pederson is on the same level as Puig as "guys who should never come out of the starting lineup" (save for an occasional day off to rest). He's hitting .300 with five doubles, five homers, 14 RBIs, and one stolen base. He's right up there with the big boys of Adrian Gonzalez and Howie Kendrick for team leader in many offensive categories.
He's also the new leadoff hitter, and that's worked out beautifully through two games. Ideally, someone else will take over that role at some point, allowing him to drop down in the order to drive in more runs. But as long as he has a .463 OBP, there's no need to switch it now.
We could be watching this season's Rookie of the Year in action, getting huge hits and tracking down every ball in center along the way. Let's enjoy the ride.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
The new lineup is clicking, for one night anyway
If Don Mattingly wanted to give his stagnant offense a jolt, it took all of one swing from Joc Pederson to do just that.
A leadoff homer by Pederson was followed by a towering shot from Adrian Gonzalez, which was then followed by a two-run homer from Andre Ethier in a tremendous first inning. Jimmy Rollins added a solo blast as well in the third, and the Dodgers easily beat the Giants 7-3.
Knowing that he couldn't just keep watching Rollins create out after out at the top of the order, and with Yasiel Puig on the DL, Donny made the right call in turning over leadoff duties to young Pederson, who now has a sensational .461 OBP after his homer and walk on Wednesday. I discussed this in my previous post, and it pretty much held true: he'll either hit a homer, walk, or strikeout. He accomplished all three of these last night.
Of course, it helps that the Dodgers were facing Ryan Vogelsong, who already looks completely washed up. A 9.31 ERA to start the season is probably not what the Giants were banking on with him.
Anyway, after the Dodgers gave up a run in the first, which seems like it happens every game now, the bats were quick to respond with four runs. They once again showed their depth, and that was without Puig or Alex Guerrero. Carl Crawford was out too, but he doesn't do much these days.
I really liked how Scott Van Slyke was not only playing left, but hitting fifth as well against the right-handed Vogelsong. Donny showed confidence in him, and it paid off with a double, sac-fly RBI, and a walk. He's hitting .393 with a .471 OBP, so even in limited at-bats, he's showing a tremendous ability to do some damage.
By the way, how many people realize Juan Uribe has an 11-game hitting streak? Yes, I know... 10 of those games he's gotten one hit, but he has raised his average from .190 to .278 at least. As long as he hits decently and keeps flashing the leather, he'll stay in the lineup for the majority of starts over Guerrero whether we like it or not.
All in all, Donny needs to keep a similar look to his lineup for the time being. Guerrero can easily be inserted against lefties, pushing Van Slyke over to right in place of Ethier. Other than that, let it roll and see what happens.
A leadoff homer by Pederson was followed by a towering shot from Adrian Gonzalez, which was then followed by a two-run homer from Andre Ethier in a tremendous first inning. Jimmy Rollins added a solo blast as well in the third, and the Dodgers easily beat the Giants 7-3.
Knowing that he couldn't just keep watching Rollins create out after out at the top of the order, and with Yasiel Puig on the DL, Donny made the right call in turning over leadoff duties to young Pederson, who now has a sensational .461 OBP after his homer and walk on Wednesday. I discussed this in my previous post, and it pretty much held true: he'll either hit a homer, walk, or strikeout. He accomplished all three of these last night.
Of course, it helps that the Dodgers were facing Ryan Vogelsong, who already looks completely washed up. A 9.31 ERA to start the season is probably not what the Giants were banking on with him.
Anyway, after the Dodgers gave up a run in the first, which seems like it happens every game now, the bats were quick to respond with four runs. They once again showed their depth, and that was without Puig or Alex Guerrero. Carl Crawford was out too, but he doesn't do much these days.
I really liked how Scott Van Slyke was not only playing left, but hitting fifth as well against the right-handed Vogelsong. Donny showed confidence in him, and it paid off with a double, sac-fly RBI, and a walk. He's hitting .393 with a .471 OBP, so even in limited at-bats, he's showing a tremendous ability to do some damage.
By the way, how many people realize Juan Uribe has an 11-game hitting streak? Yes, I know... 10 of those games he's gotten one hit, but he has raised his average from .190 to .278 at least. As long as he hits decently and keeps flashing the leather, he'll stay in the lineup for the majority of starts over Guerrero whether we like it or not.
All in all, Donny needs to keep a similar look to his lineup for the time being. Guerrero can easily be inserted against lefties, pushing Van Slyke over to right in place of Ethier. Other than that, let it roll and see what happens.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Pederson in, Rollins out at leadoff. That's a good thing.
I just glanced at the lineup for tonight's rubber match between the Dodgers and Giants, and there's one big change: Jimmy Rollins will not be leading off for the first time in his brief Dodger tenure. Joc Pederson will be, as Rollins slides down a spot.
Don Mattingly may have been a bit stubborn about this, but it's a move that needed to be made.
Rollins was brought into the Dodgers for his veteran leadership and championship experience. He also brings a great glove at short, even in his advanced age, and pop from the leadoff spot. That was on full display on Opening Day, as his three-run home run in the eighth inning broke a tie and helped lead the Dodgers to victory #1.
Since then? Well... it's been a whole lot of nothing. He hasn't homered since and only has four more RBIs. He's not getting much of any hits in fact, which explains his .182 AVG and .281 OBP. I don't care who it is - those are some flat out ugly numbers for the guy at the top of the order.
Now Pederson and his .296 AVG and .458 OBP gets a shot at setting the table. He's already an early candidate for NL Rookie of the Year based on his big bat (five doubles, three homers) and awesome defense in center. He leads the team in walks with 16, so he's not afraid to be patient and take first when given the chance.
What's a downside to each guy? Pederson has 21 strikeouts, and Rollins 17, both by far the team leaders. Pederson looks like he'll do one of three things: get a big hit, walk, or strikeout. Rollins is second with 11 walks, but has no big hits and definitely strikes out. So Pederson is the better choice right now.
Ideally, Rollins will work himself out of his slump, return to the leadoff spot, allowing Pederson to drive in runs lower in the order. But for now, I applaud Donny for making the switch. It had to happen sooner rather than later.
Don Mattingly may have been a bit stubborn about this, but it's a move that needed to be made.
Rollins was brought into the Dodgers for his veteran leadership and championship experience. He also brings a great glove at short, even in his advanced age, and pop from the leadoff spot. That was on full display on Opening Day, as his three-run home run in the eighth inning broke a tie and helped lead the Dodgers to victory #1.
Since then? Well... it's been a whole lot of nothing. He hasn't homered since and only has four more RBIs. He's not getting much of any hits in fact, which explains his .182 AVG and .281 OBP. I don't care who it is - those are some flat out ugly numbers for the guy at the top of the order.
Now Pederson and his .296 AVG and .458 OBP gets a shot at setting the table. He's already an early candidate for NL Rookie of the Year based on his big bat (five doubles, three homers) and awesome defense in center. He leads the team in walks with 16, so he's not afraid to be patient and take first when given the chance.
What's a downside to each guy? Pederson has 21 strikeouts, and Rollins 17, both by far the team leaders. Pederson looks like he'll do one of three things: get a big hit, walk, or strikeout. Rollins is second with 11 walks, but has no big hits and definitely strikes out. So Pederson is the better choice right now.
Ideally, Rollins will work himself out of his slump, return to the leadoff spot, allowing Pederson to drive in runs lower in the order. But for now, I applaud Donny for making the switch. It had to happen sooner rather than later.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Pederson vs. Ethier: Who has the edge?
Don Mattingly is not ready to declare Joc Pederson or Andre Ethier as his starting center fielder come one week from today. But that won't stop me from comparing how each has done this Spring Training, along with my pick. Here goes...
Pederson: 22 G, .389 AVG, .421 OBP, 4 2B, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB
If Pederson was looking to leave his mark, he most certainly has this spring. He leads the team in home runs, and is one behind Yasiel Puig in RBIs. His 1.217 OPS is highest among potential starters, so he's showing everything he can do with the lumber. That includes a team high 12 strikeouts, though that's not preventing him from getting on base. His defensive abilities are rated as top notch, and he got at least some playing time there during his cup of coffee last September. Add it all up, and he's doing everything possible to be the man in center.
Ethier: 18 G, .313 AVG, .389 OBP, 4 HR, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB
On the other hand, old dog Ethier is not ready to concede a starting spot just yet. Well, I should say he's ready to prove why he should start again considering he was kicked to the curb by Mattingly last season (and justifiably so). Let's not forget that just three years ago, he hit 36 doubles, 20 homers, and 89 RBIs. Those numbers have gone way down since then, as injuries and poor play have made him almost a forgotten man. To his credit, the numbers he's put up this spring show that he's all business and ready to show what he can do. Maybe not for this team, but some other one.
Verdict:
With all of that said, it's just hard to picture Ethier being named the starting center fielder while Pederson is riding the pine. This is actually eerily similar to a few seasons ago when Ethier was the fresh, new player, and Juan Pierre the old dog. Joe Torre went with Ethier to start the season because the new guy gave him every reason why he's ready. That's exactly what Pederson is doing right now.
Both men would hit closer to the bottom of the order, so the pressure is off to produce in the middle. The Dodgers have plenty of guys who can reach base, and I can definitely see Pederson getting his chances to successfully drive in runs. That's how he can build himself up to a future with a bigger role.
Ethier did a good job taking over for Matt Kemp in center last season, but it's not like he was out-of-this-world good, leading to Mattingly placing Puig there for the rest of the season. Now Puig will be back in right because Pederson is looked at as the next big thing in center. He already has the glove, and now that he's showing a relaxed approach at the plate, Mattingly needs to roll with him from here on out.
Pederson: 22 G, .389 AVG, .421 OBP, 4 2B, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB
If Pederson was looking to leave his mark, he most certainly has this spring. He leads the team in home runs, and is one behind Yasiel Puig in RBIs. His 1.217 OPS is highest among potential starters, so he's showing everything he can do with the lumber. That includes a team high 12 strikeouts, though that's not preventing him from getting on base. His defensive abilities are rated as top notch, and he got at least some playing time there during his cup of coffee last September. Add it all up, and he's doing everything possible to be the man in center.
Ethier: 18 G, .313 AVG, .389 OBP, 4 HR, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB
On the other hand, old dog Ethier is not ready to concede a starting spot just yet. Well, I should say he's ready to prove why he should start again considering he was kicked to the curb by Mattingly last season (and justifiably so). Let's not forget that just three years ago, he hit 36 doubles, 20 homers, and 89 RBIs. Those numbers have gone way down since then, as injuries and poor play have made him almost a forgotten man. To his credit, the numbers he's put up this spring show that he's all business and ready to show what he can do. Maybe not for this team, but some other one.
Verdict:
With all of that said, it's just hard to picture Ethier being named the starting center fielder while Pederson is riding the pine. This is actually eerily similar to a few seasons ago when Ethier was the fresh, new player, and Juan Pierre the old dog. Joe Torre went with Ethier to start the season because the new guy gave him every reason why he's ready. That's exactly what Pederson is doing right now.
Both men would hit closer to the bottom of the order, so the pressure is off to produce in the middle. The Dodgers have plenty of guys who can reach base, and I can definitely see Pederson getting his chances to successfully drive in runs. That's how he can build himself up to a future with a bigger role.
Ethier did a good job taking over for Matt Kemp in center last season, but it's not like he was out-of-this-world good, leading to Mattingly placing Puig there for the rest of the season. Now Puig will be back in right because Pederson is looked at as the next big thing in center. He already has the glove, and now that he's showing a relaxed approach at the plate, Mattingly needs to roll with him from here on out.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
2015 Season Preview: Outfield
Here is the last installment of my season preview series. The outfield went through a big change by trading away Matt Kemp, and seemingly will now rely on Joc Pederson to be the next big thing in center. Will it work? Let's take a look.
2014
LF - Carl Crawford
CF - Yasiel Puig
RF - Matt Kemp
Bench - Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Joc Pederson
2015
LF - Carl Crawford
CF - Joc Pederson
RF - Yasiel Puig
Bench - Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Chris Heisey
Then Compared to Now:
Obviously, it's Kemp being gone. After starting off 2014 so poorly in center that he mercifully was replaced by Ethier in late May, he turned things around to be a monster in the second half. He even was responsible for leading the Dodgers to their only playoff win with a tiebreaking solo shot in the eighth. He went from hitting .269 with 8 homers and 35 RBIs before the break, to .309/17/54 after, and that was with about 70 less at-bats.
Now the attention turns to a guy who was called up in September, someone who's absolutely torn up the minor leagues. That guy is Pederson, and the Dodgers both before and during the Friedman Era have protected him from numerous trade inquiries. Pederson struggled in September, going only 4-for-28, all singles. That's a small sample size, but who knows if it's still something to be concerned about.
The rest of the faces stay the same, as Ethier appears to be on the outside looking in again. About his only chance of getting regular playing time is if Crawford struggles or Pederson falls flat on his face in Spring Training. Van Slyke is still a super sub off the bench with some power, and Heisey will look to play all three outfield positions if needed.
Individual Breakdown:
Crawford (2014 stats): .300 AVG, .339 OBP, 14 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 23 SB
Boy, .300 looks a lot better than .299, doesn't it? Anyway, when he was on the field, he showed that there was still some life in his bat with a good average. Injuries and being on the wrong side of 30 have taken away his ability to relive his glory days from Tampa, but it was good to see him get on base and gather his most steals since his final year in Florida, 2010. Defensively he won't give you much, so if he stops hitting, he'll find himself riding the pine in no time.
Pederson: .143 AVG, .351 OBP, no other stats to speak of
Much like Alex Guerrero found out, the young guy with tons of potential at the plate didn't make the most of his brief opportunity. Unlike Guerrero, it appears as if a starting position is Pederson's to lose, as his terrific glove is center has already given him a leg up on the competition. He's a major reason why Kemp was moved, as it opens up a logjam of outfielders, and will hopefully allow him to relax and show off the talent that made him one of the best players in the minors last year. If he can shorten that swing a bit and not try to hit the ball to the Dodger Stadium parking lot with each hack, he could be in for a big season.
Puig: .296 AVG, .382 OBP, 37 2B, 9 3B, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB
What an interesting season it was for him, as he went from starting in the All-Star Game (and striking out all three times), to enduring a huge power outage in the second half. He played center field for most of the year when Kemp and Ethier couldn't get the job done, and through it all seemed to stay out of trouble. Now with Kemp and Hanley Ramirez gone, all eyes are on him to step up even more in his second full season (third overall). Can he focus on the game and get it done? If he can regain some power while taking the walks that are there, then he can definitely be back in the ASG. If he goes back to his immature ways, then maybe the Dodgers will miss Kemp more than they thought.
Ethier: .249 AVG, .322 OBP, 17 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB
What a disappointing seasons it was for him, and I'm sure just as frustrating for him. He basically was in and out of the starting lineup like a yo-yo for much of the season before Don Mattingly made him strictly a pinch-hitter down the stretch. Unfortunately for him, his lifeless bat didn't give Mattingly much of a reason to change his mind. It's pretty surprising to see that he only had four long balls, the first time in his career he's been under double-digits. I don't see playing time getting much better for him, so I fully expect to see him traded during the season at some point. He above most others would probably benefit from the change of scenery.
Van Slyke: .297 AVG, .386 OBP, 13 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, 29 RBI, 4 SB
His best moment came in the season's first game Down Under, as his homer, double, and two RBIs helped the Dodgers to a win over the Diamondbacks. From there, he was mostly used as a spot starter all over the outfield, and would occasionally spell Adrian Gonzalez at first. I can see him having a carbon copy of 2014 this season, as his pop off the bench late in the game is a good weapon to have.
Heisey (with Reds): .222 AVG, .265 OBP, 15 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 9 SB
As far as utility players go, the Dodgers appear to have a good one in him. He's shown a good amount of pop in limited playing time in the past, peaking at 18 homers and 50 RBIs in 120 games in 2011. He's not one who will take a walk and just accept getting to first, as he wants the big hit instead. Defensively, he's been on the plus side of the DWAR battle the last two seasons, so I can see him replacing Crawford in left late in games, as Pederson and Puig wouldn't come out. That's probably the best he can offer the Dodgers right now.
Is Now Better Than Then?
On paper, no. That's a credit to what Kemp did in the second half of last season, as he finally found some good health and was able to return to the superstar he was from a few years back. Whether or not he can continue that good string in San Diego remains to be seen.
With Kemp out and Pederson in for this season, expect to see a lot of stat comparisons between the two as the season progresses. Fair or not, that's the matchup that will go a long way in determining if the Dodgers made a smart more in trading away Kemp. Let's also remember that Pederson turns 23 in April, so his progress will be measured in the years to come. If he is the real deal and Kemp's best seasons are clearly behind him, then it's a great tradeoff.
As for this season, it's hard to take Kemp's bat away from the lineup and say that the Dodgers will be better. They'll have less drama by not having to worry about Kemp's ego, so that could be a huge plus. But still, 25 homers and 89 RBIs is 25 homers and 89 RBIs, so replacing his numbers won't be easy. If Puig can keep building his resume and Young Joc shows everyone what he's made of, then Kemp's departure won't be as difficult.
2014
LF - Carl Crawford
CF - Yasiel Puig
RF - Matt Kemp
Bench - Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Joc Pederson
2015
LF - Carl Crawford
CF - Joc Pederson
RF - Yasiel Puig
Bench - Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Chris Heisey
Then Compared to Now:
Obviously, it's Kemp being gone. After starting off 2014 so poorly in center that he mercifully was replaced by Ethier in late May, he turned things around to be a monster in the second half. He even was responsible for leading the Dodgers to their only playoff win with a tiebreaking solo shot in the eighth. He went from hitting .269 with 8 homers and 35 RBIs before the break, to .309/17/54 after, and that was with about 70 less at-bats.
Now the attention turns to a guy who was called up in September, someone who's absolutely torn up the minor leagues. That guy is Pederson, and the Dodgers both before and during the Friedman Era have protected him from numerous trade inquiries. Pederson struggled in September, going only 4-for-28, all singles. That's a small sample size, but who knows if it's still something to be concerned about.
The rest of the faces stay the same, as Ethier appears to be on the outside looking in again. About his only chance of getting regular playing time is if Crawford struggles or Pederson falls flat on his face in Spring Training. Van Slyke is still a super sub off the bench with some power, and Heisey will look to play all three outfield positions if needed.
Individual Breakdown:
Crawford (2014 stats): .300 AVG, .339 OBP, 14 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 23 SB
Boy, .300 looks a lot better than .299, doesn't it? Anyway, when he was on the field, he showed that there was still some life in his bat with a good average. Injuries and being on the wrong side of 30 have taken away his ability to relive his glory days from Tampa, but it was good to see him get on base and gather his most steals since his final year in Florida, 2010. Defensively he won't give you much, so if he stops hitting, he'll find himself riding the pine in no time.
Pederson: .143 AVG, .351 OBP, no other stats to speak of
Much like Alex Guerrero found out, the young guy with tons of potential at the plate didn't make the most of his brief opportunity. Unlike Guerrero, it appears as if a starting position is Pederson's to lose, as his terrific glove is center has already given him a leg up on the competition. He's a major reason why Kemp was moved, as it opens up a logjam of outfielders, and will hopefully allow him to relax and show off the talent that made him one of the best players in the minors last year. If he can shorten that swing a bit and not try to hit the ball to the Dodger Stadium parking lot with each hack, he could be in for a big season.
Puig: .296 AVG, .382 OBP, 37 2B, 9 3B, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB
What an interesting season it was for him, as he went from starting in the All-Star Game (and striking out all three times), to enduring a huge power outage in the second half. He played center field for most of the year when Kemp and Ethier couldn't get the job done, and through it all seemed to stay out of trouble. Now with Kemp and Hanley Ramirez gone, all eyes are on him to step up even more in his second full season (third overall). Can he focus on the game and get it done? If he can regain some power while taking the walks that are there, then he can definitely be back in the ASG. If he goes back to his immature ways, then maybe the Dodgers will miss Kemp more than they thought.
Ethier: .249 AVG, .322 OBP, 17 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB
What a disappointing seasons it was for him, and I'm sure just as frustrating for him. He basically was in and out of the starting lineup like a yo-yo for much of the season before Don Mattingly made him strictly a pinch-hitter down the stretch. Unfortunately for him, his lifeless bat didn't give Mattingly much of a reason to change his mind. It's pretty surprising to see that he only had four long balls, the first time in his career he's been under double-digits. I don't see playing time getting much better for him, so I fully expect to see him traded during the season at some point. He above most others would probably benefit from the change of scenery.
Van Slyke: .297 AVG, .386 OBP, 13 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, 29 RBI, 4 SB
His best moment came in the season's first game Down Under, as his homer, double, and two RBIs helped the Dodgers to a win over the Diamondbacks. From there, he was mostly used as a spot starter all over the outfield, and would occasionally spell Adrian Gonzalez at first. I can see him having a carbon copy of 2014 this season, as his pop off the bench late in the game is a good weapon to have.
Heisey (with Reds): .222 AVG, .265 OBP, 15 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 9 SB
As far as utility players go, the Dodgers appear to have a good one in him. He's shown a good amount of pop in limited playing time in the past, peaking at 18 homers and 50 RBIs in 120 games in 2011. He's not one who will take a walk and just accept getting to first, as he wants the big hit instead. Defensively, he's been on the plus side of the DWAR battle the last two seasons, so I can see him replacing Crawford in left late in games, as Pederson and Puig wouldn't come out. That's probably the best he can offer the Dodgers right now.
Is Now Better Than Then?
On paper, no. That's a credit to what Kemp did in the second half of last season, as he finally found some good health and was able to return to the superstar he was from a few years back. Whether or not he can continue that good string in San Diego remains to be seen.
With Kemp out and Pederson in for this season, expect to see a lot of stat comparisons between the two as the season progresses. Fair or not, that's the matchup that will go a long way in determining if the Dodgers made a smart more in trading away Kemp. Let's also remember that Pederson turns 23 in April, so his progress will be measured in the years to come. If he is the real deal and Kemp's best seasons are clearly behind him, then it's a great tradeoff.
As for this season, it's hard to take Kemp's bat away from the lineup and say that the Dodgers will be better. They'll have less drama by not having to worry about Kemp's ego, so that could be a huge plus. But still, 25 homers and 89 RBIs is 25 homers and 89 RBIs, so replacing his numbers won't be easy. If Puig can keep building his resume and Young Joc shows everyone what he's made of, then Kemp's departure won't be as difficult.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
The outfield logjam could soon be cleared
Reports are surfacing in recent days that the Dodgers are finally serious about clearing up their crowded outfield. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the main goal of president Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi at the General Managers' meetings is to move an outfielder.
Or two, maybe.
Right now, the Dodgers have four main guys (Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford) and one rising prospect (Joc Pederson).
With that said, let's take a look at each one. In addition to their 2014 stats and remaining money owed, I'll discuss the pros and cons of each player, along with the possibility of each being moved.
Yasiel Puig
2014: 148 G, .296 AVG, .382 OBP, 37 2B, 9 3B, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB, 5.3 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Four years, $24 million
Pros: Simply put, when Puig puts his total game together, it's hard to find many who are better. He can hit, run, and throw all at a very high level, which only guys like Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen can claim to do. His power was down this year, but he's shown in the past that he can certainly straighten that out. He can hit anywhere in the order thanks to his speed. And on defense, opposing runners are largely learned not to test his arm. At 24 next season, the sky is still the limit.
Cons: There's always going to be questions about his maturity, as he showed way back in the first home game of the season that he can be hard to be relied upon when he was late to the park and scratched from the lineup. A big swing shows his reluctance to get adjusted at the plate, as he was completely lost for nearly all of the NLDS. Is he too stubborn to make changes? That's still a question that lingers.
Trade Him? Nope, I just can't see it happening. There's way too much talent in that body, and for a team that desires to get younger, it's hard to imagine them getting rid of a chip like him.
Matt Kemp
2014: 150 G, .287 AVG, .346 OBP, 38 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 8 SB, 3.8 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Five years, $107 million
Pros: It looked like it took awhile, but he finally reached a point in his recovery from all sorts of injuries where he put it all together in the second half of 2014. He turned himself back into an MVP-type player, as the ball was jumping off of his bat. He also found a home in right field after being so reluctant to switch from center. It worked, as he was a huge reason why the Dodgers claimed the NL West.
Cons: With his recent success is also a reminder not to get too excited, as we've seen this before. Fair or not, he's an injury-prone player, and when he's hurt, he's very easy to pitch to. It's unknown if he'll ever be ready to be an effective center fielder again, as he's made it crystal clear that that's where he sees himself playing again.
Trade Him? After watching him come back to life this past season, it's hard to see it happening. Then again, maybe this is the time to get something good back for him if the Dodgers think he's already peaked. I'm sure they would rather keep him, but if the offer is there, I bet they pull the trigger.
Carl Crawford
2014: 105 G, .300 AVG, .339 OBP, 14 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 23 SB, 2.3 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Three years, $62.25 million
Pros: After battling his way back from injuries, he showed that he still has some magic back in that bat. It's not as much, but much like Kemp, when he's locked in and feeling good, he can be an effective piece in the lineup. He can still steal a base as well, albeit not at the humongous rate like he once did.
Cons: He'll turn 34 next August, but seems like he's much older. His career has gone downhill since signing that mega-contract with the Red Sox back in 2011, which is the same contract the Dodgers must now deal with. At this point he's a decent outfielder and a pretty good bad when healthy, but has not played in more than 116 games the last three seasons.
Trade Him? Absolutely. The Dodgers would love to make it happen, but it will come at a price. Nonetheless, I would think they'd be OK with that, as he's obviously on the wrong side of his career, but can maybe still get something decent in return.
Andre Ethier
2014: 130 G, .249 AVG, .322 OBP, 17 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB, 0.8 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Three years, $56 million
Pros: Ethier got squeezed out by the logjam more than anyone, but has won both a Gold Glove (2011) and Silver Slugger (2009) in the past, which could earn him a starting job somewhere. He can play any outfield position pretty well, as he originally took over for Kemp in center back in May. Is much more effective against right-handed hurlers.
Cons: Another guy who's past the magic age of 30 (will be 33 next April), and isn't looked at as "Andre the Giant" like he once was. What hurts him even more is his atrocious numbers against left-handed pitchers, as he's all but useless against them. His power numbers are practically a thing of the past.
Trade Him? Just like Crawford, absolutely. In Ethier's case, it would appear to be an easier move, as he's a little younger, healthier, and has a slightly more manageable contract. He's given LA many good moments, but it's time to move on, which is something I bet he wants more than anyone.
Joc Pederson
2014: 18 G, .143 AVG, .351 OBP, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, -0.1 OWAR
Remaining Contract: ? (No information found)
Pros: Right now, we're judging him solely on his work in the minors. Luckily for him, he did some very impressive things down on the farm, including 33 homers and 30 steals in Triple-A last season. He also plays some great defense, as he's already been viewed as the next center fielder for years to come. All in all, he has largely been considered the next big thing for the Dodgers.
Cons: The funny thing about potential is that you haven't actually done anything yet. He still will get plenty of time to, but in his brief stint in LA during September, the game looked to be a little too big for him. Granted, it's a very small sample size with only 28 at-bats, but no extra-base hits shows he has plenty of work left to do.
Trade Him? No way. There's too much untapped talent to move him now. The management team before Friedman took over did not want to move him, and I can't imagine that changing now.
Or two, maybe.
Right now, the Dodgers have four main guys (Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford) and one rising prospect (Joc Pederson).
With that said, let's take a look at each one. In addition to their 2014 stats and remaining money owed, I'll discuss the pros and cons of each player, along with the possibility of each being moved.
Yasiel Puig
2014: 148 G, .296 AVG, .382 OBP, 37 2B, 9 3B, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB, 5.3 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Four years, $24 million
Pros: Simply put, when Puig puts his total game together, it's hard to find many who are better. He can hit, run, and throw all at a very high level, which only guys like Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen can claim to do. His power was down this year, but he's shown in the past that he can certainly straighten that out. He can hit anywhere in the order thanks to his speed. And on defense, opposing runners are largely learned not to test his arm. At 24 next season, the sky is still the limit.
Cons: There's always going to be questions about his maturity, as he showed way back in the first home game of the season that he can be hard to be relied upon when he was late to the park and scratched from the lineup. A big swing shows his reluctance to get adjusted at the plate, as he was completely lost for nearly all of the NLDS. Is he too stubborn to make changes? That's still a question that lingers.
Trade Him? Nope, I just can't see it happening. There's way too much talent in that body, and for a team that desires to get younger, it's hard to imagine them getting rid of a chip like him.
Matt Kemp
2014: 150 G, .287 AVG, .346 OBP, 38 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 8 SB, 3.8 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Five years, $107 million
Pros: It looked like it took awhile, but he finally reached a point in his recovery from all sorts of injuries where he put it all together in the second half of 2014. He turned himself back into an MVP-type player, as the ball was jumping off of his bat. He also found a home in right field after being so reluctant to switch from center. It worked, as he was a huge reason why the Dodgers claimed the NL West.
Cons: With his recent success is also a reminder not to get too excited, as we've seen this before. Fair or not, he's an injury-prone player, and when he's hurt, he's very easy to pitch to. It's unknown if he'll ever be ready to be an effective center fielder again, as he's made it crystal clear that that's where he sees himself playing again.
Trade Him? After watching him come back to life this past season, it's hard to see it happening. Then again, maybe this is the time to get something good back for him if the Dodgers think he's already peaked. I'm sure they would rather keep him, but if the offer is there, I bet they pull the trigger.
Carl Crawford
2014: 105 G, .300 AVG, .339 OBP, 14 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 23 SB, 2.3 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Three years, $62.25 million
Pros: After battling his way back from injuries, he showed that he still has some magic back in that bat. It's not as much, but much like Kemp, when he's locked in and feeling good, he can be an effective piece in the lineup. He can still steal a base as well, albeit not at the humongous rate like he once did.
Cons: He'll turn 34 next August, but seems like he's much older. His career has gone downhill since signing that mega-contract with the Red Sox back in 2011, which is the same contract the Dodgers must now deal with. At this point he's a decent outfielder and a pretty good bad when healthy, but has not played in more than 116 games the last three seasons.
Trade Him? Absolutely. The Dodgers would love to make it happen, but it will come at a price. Nonetheless, I would think they'd be OK with that, as he's obviously on the wrong side of his career, but can maybe still get something decent in return.
Andre Ethier
2014: 130 G, .249 AVG, .322 OBP, 17 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB, 0.8 OWAR
Remaining Contract: Three years, $56 million
Pros: Ethier got squeezed out by the logjam more than anyone, but has won both a Gold Glove (2011) and Silver Slugger (2009) in the past, which could earn him a starting job somewhere. He can play any outfield position pretty well, as he originally took over for Kemp in center back in May. Is much more effective against right-handed hurlers.
Cons: Another guy who's past the magic age of 30 (will be 33 next April), and isn't looked at as "Andre the Giant" like he once was. What hurts him even more is his atrocious numbers against left-handed pitchers, as he's all but useless against them. His power numbers are practically a thing of the past.
Trade Him? Just like Crawford, absolutely. In Ethier's case, it would appear to be an easier move, as he's a little younger, healthier, and has a slightly more manageable contract. He's given LA many good moments, but it's time to move on, which is something I bet he wants more than anyone.
Joc Pederson
2014: 18 G, .143 AVG, .351 OBP, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, -0.1 OWAR
Remaining Contract: ? (No information found)
Pros: Right now, we're judging him solely on his work in the minors. Luckily for him, he did some very impressive things down on the farm, including 33 homers and 30 steals in Triple-A last season. He also plays some great defense, as he's already been viewed as the next center fielder for years to come. All in all, he has largely been considered the next big thing for the Dodgers.
Cons: The funny thing about potential is that you haven't actually done anything yet. He still will get plenty of time to, but in his brief stint in LA during September, the game looked to be a little too big for him. Granted, it's a very small sample size with only 28 at-bats, but no extra-base hits shows he has plenty of work left to do.
Trade Him? No way. There's too much untapped talent to move him now. The management team before Friedman took over did not want to move him, and I can't imagine that changing now.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
A big September for Pederson could make things interesting
Joc Pederson got his first taste of big league action on Labor Day, and it didn't take him long to see how cruel life can be. With two on and two out in the ninth, and with the Dodgers down 6-4 to the Nationals, he took a called strike three on a full count courtesy of a perfect breaking ball from Rafael Soriano.
Alas, his first "Big League" moment will have to wait.
Perhaps he won't have to wait long, as he gets the start in center field on Tuesday night, with the horribly slumping Yasiel Puig taking a seat. It wasn't a hard decision for Don Mattingly to make, as the combination of wanting to see what the organization's best minor league player in baseball can do, along with needing to let Puig clear his head made it easy to pull the trigger.
In case you're not familiar with Pederson, check out his numbers at Triple-A Albuquerque this season: 121 games, .303 AVG, .435 OBP, 106 R, 17 2B, 4 3B, 33 HR, 78 RBI, 30 SB. Considering he was the Pacific Coast League's Rookie of the Year and MVP, I'd say he more than tore things up down on the farm.
Now of course comes the obvious question: If Pederson plays like a star, will he be starting for the Dodgers in October?
That's certainly getting way ahead of ourselves, as there aren't many people who have made a Puig-like impact in such a short time. But if you're looking for talent and looking for a guy who can lift a lifeless offense, this is the guy.
Take away the ridiculously crowded outfield, and it's not unreasonable to think that Pederson would've already been in LA long ago. Maybe not to start the season, but he would've gotten the call at some point earlier than now. That's how good of a talent he is.
What could hold him back? Well, duh... the crowded outfield. Was there ever any doubt? Trying to get him consistent playing time when Donnie has to mix in Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Andre Ethier, and Puig is really difficult. Of course, after watching how putrid their production at the plate has been for the most part, Donnie can always just go with the hot hand and use that as his reason.
It'll be easy to root for Pederson to succeed, because he's undoubtedly one of the of the stars of the future, and a guy the Dodgers will build around once the mega-millionaires are off the books. Ned Colletti refused to include him in any deals, and if he had, then guys like David Price or Cole Hamels would be wearing Dodger blue right now.
For Dodger fans who are looking for reasons to get excited down the stretch as the lead in the NL West continues to shrink, Pederson could be exactly the kind of guy to get behind. And who knows? Maybe that means he'll be a feature player in the postseason.
Let's just see if he's on the field enough to show what he's got.
Alas, his first "Big League" moment will have to wait.
Perhaps he won't have to wait long, as he gets the start in center field on Tuesday night, with the horribly slumping Yasiel Puig taking a seat. It wasn't a hard decision for Don Mattingly to make, as the combination of wanting to see what the organization's best minor league player in baseball can do, along with needing to let Puig clear his head made it easy to pull the trigger.
In case you're not familiar with Pederson, check out his numbers at Triple-A Albuquerque this season: 121 games, .303 AVG, .435 OBP, 106 R, 17 2B, 4 3B, 33 HR, 78 RBI, 30 SB. Considering he was the Pacific Coast League's Rookie of the Year and MVP, I'd say he more than tore things up down on the farm.
Now of course comes the obvious question: If Pederson plays like a star, will he be starting for the Dodgers in October?
That's certainly getting way ahead of ourselves, as there aren't many people who have made a Puig-like impact in such a short time. But if you're looking for talent and looking for a guy who can lift a lifeless offense, this is the guy.
Take away the ridiculously crowded outfield, and it's not unreasonable to think that Pederson would've already been in LA long ago. Maybe not to start the season, but he would've gotten the call at some point earlier than now. That's how good of a talent he is.
What could hold him back? Well, duh... the crowded outfield. Was there ever any doubt? Trying to get him consistent playing time when Donnie has to mix in Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Andre Ethier, and Puig is really difficult. Of course, after watching how putrid their production at the plate has been for the most part, Donnie can always just go with the hot hand and use that as his reason.
It'll be easy to root for Pederson to succeed, because he's undoubtedly one of the of the stars of the future, and a guy the Dodgers will build around once the mega-millionaires are off the books. Ned Colletti refused to include him in any deals, and if he had, then guys like David Price or Cole Hamels would be wearing Dodger blue right now.
For Dodger fans who are looking for reasons to get excited down the stretch as the lead in the NL West continues to shrink, Pederson could be exactly the kind of guy to get behind. And who knows? Maybe that means he'll be a feature player in the postseason.
Let's just see if he's on the field enough to show what he's got.
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