Fansided

MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Yasiel Puig

Another year, and another spring to wonder about the enigma that is Puig. Last year brought a couple of low points, with a demotion and being placed on revocable trade waivers over the course of August. As expected, Puig spent the offseason as a possible trade candidate again.

But Puig hit .348 over 19 games at Triple-A, and he carried that solidly into his major league recall in September (.281, four home runs and 12 RBI over 57 at-bats). Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts suggested in December that Puig was going to work with team trainers in an effort to lose some weight, which may help curb the hamstring issues that have plagued him off and on over the last couple years.

Puig will carry big questions about his work ethic until further notice, and his 2013 partial season breakout is getting further and further away while looking more and more like an outlier compared to the rest of his career. But he is still just 26 years old so if Puig can somehow put it all together, and lock down a spot in right field once and for all, the Dodgers could also reach their full potential in 2017.

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