Dodgers: Predicting the Outfield Come Playoff Time

The Locks

Yasiel Puig

Puig, about this time last year, was wondering if he’d ever play for the Dodgers again. This year, he is having his most complete season as he approaches 30 homers to go along with first-class defense in right field. He’s matured, focused and even becoming clutch again. Turner Ward’s cheeks better watch out.

Chris Taylor

What a trade the Dodgers pulled off last season. After sending former top prospect Zach Lee to Seattle for Taylor, the club figured they were receiving a decent bench player. 

What they ended with was one of the more valuable players in all of baseball. As everyone proclaimed Taylor was nothing more than a temporarily hot bat that was bound to cool off soon, the homers, four-hit games and high caliber defensive versatility continued.

Cody Bellinger 

Duh.

The Probables

Kike Hernandez

Hernandez can be found anywhere on the field besides pitcher and catcher. He remains frustrating at the plate but has already reached double digits in homers. His versatility is far too valuable, as is his ability to mash lefties, so he’s a lock.

Joc Pederson

From All-Star and Home Run Derby contestant to Minor Leaguer, these past couple years have been a whirlwind for Joc. After being sent down, one can’t help but see similarities between Puig last year and Joc this year. 

Joc is still young, and possess enormous talent. However, many defensive metrics hate him, he still can’t hit lefties and remains far too inconsistent be a reliable run producer.

He still hits bombs when given the opportunity, however. He’ll get another chance in September and will probably be on the postseason roster, but his chances are beginning to run out here.

Curtis Granderson

Some excellent insurance here in case Joc can’t snap out of his funk. Grandy’s Granderslam still proves he can mash. Even at his advanced age, Curtis can still play anywhere in the outfield at least decently. Unless he totally flounders in September, his .800 OPS over 51 postseason games should punch his ticket to the postseason roster in some fashion.

The Unlikely

Andre Ethier

At most, only one of these players will make the postseason roster. My money is on Andre given his experience and aptitude for being clutch. 

However, his skill set is very redundant when compared to Granderson and Pederson. Perhaps Andre has a shot to make it if management wants to keep Cody Bellinger stationed at first if his ankle proves slow to heal. However, it still figures to be an uphill battle for Andre to see much of October.

Alex Verdugo

Before the acquisition of Granderson, LA’s top offensive prospect figured to have an honest shot to show what he has in September to gain some playoff consideration. He should still be called up soon, but it appears the club wants an experienced bat for the final push. The youngster has hit .320 with a .840 OPS in AAA to go along with quality defensive skills anywhere in the outfield.

Franklin Gutierrez

Gutierrez was acquired mainly just to help LA get through the regular season. Guess they didn’t need his help. He hasn’t hit lefties as expected. In fact, he hasn’t hit much of anything as he’s been on the DL for most of the season. His defensive prowess has been sapped by Father Time. You might see him for a few at-bats in September, but that figures to be it.

Trayce Thompson

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There’s no way around it. It’s been a disaster of a year for Trayce as he’s struggled to hit pitching at any level for most of the year. After failing to recover immediately from a major back injury, I’m unwilling to give up on him just yet. Let’s not forget just how good he was for a couple of months last season.

Health figures to be the primary factor in determining the final postseason roster. Luckily for the banged up Dodgers, none of their current injuries seems particularly severe.

Their hearty lead in the division will give them ample time to rest their main guys up for October. However, names like Andre Ethier and Alex Verdugo figure to have a chance to put some heat on Granderson and Pederson if they play lights out.

Next: Hill's Bizarre Game

With so many moving parts, only time will tell what the final outfield picture will look like. This depth-driven Dodger club has already taught us one thing: Competition breeds success.