Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Pederson walking it back, Hernandez backing it up

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Dodgers at Pirates, 5:08 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Carl Crawford, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Since taking two days off to regroup during last weekend’s series against the Angels, and then returning in the bottom third of the batting order, rookie outfielder Joc Pederson has seen some progress.

Pederson has resembled the player he was in April, when he was bringing solid defense and walking all the time but hitting one home run in his first 11 games. This past week, Pederson has two singles, a double and eight walks in 23 plate appearances with five strikeouts, so while the slugging percentage is languishing at .267, the on-base percentage is at .478.

In July, Pederson walked four times the entire month, struck out 31 times and slugged .258.

Kiké Hernandez has cushioned the effect of Pederson’s post-July struggles, with a .421 OBP and .606 slugging since July 1.

The Dodgers are still a few days away from activating third baseman Justin Turner, Don Mattingly told reporters.

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3 Comments

  1. oldbrooklynfan

    I notice that most of the pitches Joc swings at are strikes. He rarely swings at bad pitches. I think that’s a good sign. Eventually, I think, he will start making contact more often..

  2. This one stung tonight to be sure. The bullpen continues it summer romance with giving up the long ball (#forbiddenpleasure), and Kendrick’s injury may mean this loss has a more lasting effect than some others.

    Changes will surely come. They have to. Johnson and Peralta should not pitch again for a good long while with the big league team. They have completely lost it.

  3. Mattingly needs to manage the pitching staff better..I don’t think he has a clue..he needs to be in it to win, whatever it takes! We need a new Manager!

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