Dodgers: Players Who Deserve September Playing Time

Alex Verdugo – OKC Dodgers

This is one of the more anticipated September call-ups. Chris Taylor will get most of the playing time in center field, but he could also get some playing time at second base which will be when Verdugo gets a shot to start.

He could also fill in for Yasiel Puig since he often has sore hamstrings and the Dodgers will want him fresh for October. Los Angeles could get a head start on evaluating Verdugo by giving him some playing time next month. This will help shape the front office’s offseason plan for 2018.

This year so far, Verdugo has hit .315 with a stellar .391 on-base percentage. He has only hit six home runs, but his power will come as he gets older.

He can provide the Dodgers’ pitching staff with plenty of outfield coverage and has a cannon for an arm. When Puig needs a rest, the Dodgers won’t lose much in RF with the arm and defense of Verdugo. Here is one example of Verdugo gunning out a runner. That’s a pretty impressive arm.

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Verdugo won’t get much playing time since the Dodgers have to find playing time for Adrian Gonzalez, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor but he should be able to fit in a handful of starts at least. That should be enough to get a preliminary scouting report on Verdugo before the Dodgers head into the playoffs.

Los Angeles could choose to give Joc Pederson playing time which would essentially rule out any playing time for Alex Verdugo, but given Joc’s struggles in the early portions of his Triple-A demotion, he may not get any more playing time in Los Angeles until spring training.