Dodgers: 5 Surprising Position Players

Brett Eibner

Eibner was acquired from the Oakland A’s in a trade that certainly didn’t make the front page news.  He has a similar skill set to Trayce Thompson in that he can play all three outfield positions with above-average defense, has the ability to hit the ball out of the park, but he won’t hit for average.  Eibner is also like Trayce Thompson in the fact that he strikes out a ton and seems to be an all-or-nothing type hitter.

Eibner has hit two home runs so far this spring and is tied for second on the team with ten RBI’s during the preseason.  A little over a week ago he drove a ball way out to center field that may have been the Dodgers’ longest home run of the spring, had the ball not vanished out of sight.  Contrary to his reputation for striking out a lot and not hitting for average, he does have a .306 batting average and an on-base percentage over .400 during spring training.

While Eibner has been optioned to the minors already, he could make his way to LA should an injury happen to Joc Pederson or Trayce Thompson.  If the Dodgers had not signed Franklin Gutierrez to a guaranteed major league deal, then Eibner would probably have won the spot that Gutierrez has taken.  This would have been even more likely as Gutierrez’s defense is regressing rapidly and he is a shaky corner outfielder at best.  Eibner has the ability to go get balls in the outfield and after Joc Pederson, he the best defensive center fielder on the team.