Fansided

Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 best DH options in shortened season

By Steve Zavala

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers goes to bat against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers goes to bat against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OF. Joc Pederson. 2. 71. CF

The Dodgers must be fortunate that they did not end up trading Joc Pederson back in February. The team had agreed to send the slugger and Ross Stripling to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Luis Rengifo and a prospect. The blueprint of the deal had been agreed to until Angels owner Arte Moreno stepped in to nix the deal.

Following the failed trade, Pederson was slated to platoon the left-field position alongside A. J. Pollock while also providing limited playing time at the other two outfield positions. But now, with the DH in play for the National League, Pederson is projected to become more of a valuable asset to the team.

Pederson is coming off of a season where he posted career highs in home runs (36), slugging percentage (.538) and wOBA (.362). The 28-year-old seemingly fits the profile in being a DH. He is more than suited to be the power hitter in a lineup already featuring both Betts and Bellinger.

The only question surrounding Pederson’s inevitable playing time as the DH is where manager Roberts will slot him into the lineup. Last season, he made 103 starts as the leadoff hitter, which was his most in the lineup. However, Roberts confirmed in February of his plans to use Betts as the leadoff hitter.

Roberts will have a multitude of options when assessing Pederson’s lineup spot. He could slide him down the order to have him hit behind Bellinger or add balance to the lineup by placing the slugger at the eighth or ninth spot.

The sheer fact that Roberts may have Pederson as a DH option exemplifies just how loaded the Dodgers will be with hitting depth this season.

Home/MLB