Dodgers: The Next Project for Hitting Coach Turner Ward

There are several iconic scenes from the amazing 2017 season for the Dodgers that still resonate in my mind.

The one I think that is most important to the upcoming 2018 season was stud right fielder Yasiel Puig regularly planting smooches on the cheek of hitting coach Turner Ward in the dugout during the games. After clutch hits or homers, Puig managed to venture over to Ward and show his appreciation for the tutelage in his own special way.

Those smooches never got old

That was because they symbolized such a remarkable improvement Puig made that was so key to the Dodgers success last season. Manager Dave Roberts no longer had to hide Puig at the bottom of the lineup and hope his free-swinging ways somehow led to some decent contact. In fact, Roberts even moved Puig up to the middle of the order during the season and left him there.

What did Ward do?

Puig was notorious for striking out a lot, especially on breaking balls low and away. That wild swing was frustrating for anyone to see and it seemingly was not correctable as it was a problem for so long. In 2017, Puig didn’t swing at those low and away breaking balls as much. Spitting on those pitches in the dirt helped improve his walk rate to 11.2% in 2017, way up from 6.5% the season prior. That was the best of his young career.

Less whiffing, more kissing

The improved plate discipline of Puig also reflected in the strikeout department. Puig struck out at a career-best 17.5%, down from 20.1% in 2016 and significantly better than his rookie year when he struck out a terrible 22.5% of the time. Getting through to the Wild Horse was something that almost seemed like a lost cause, so much so that Puig was almost traded two summers ago. Coach Ward somehow persuaded Puig to be more selective and not swing as much. Now Puig is primed to keep building on a great 2017 season.

Next up: Bellinger

Stud first baseman Cody Bellinger was a legit MVP candidate in 2017. After single-handedly turning the team around with his call-up from the minors in late April, the rookie had his team in a prime position to win its first World Series since 1988. The 39 home runs from his sweet swing helped propel the offense to new heights.

Disappearing act

The playoffs came, the stage got big, and so did the hole in his swing. Bellinger has always had bad strikeout numbers, that’s no secret. He struck out at a 26.6% clip during the regular season. But damn was he bad during the playoffs, posting an absurd 43.3% strikeout rate. The one pitch that did the most damage was the breaking ball low and inside.

Much like Puig in years past, it seemed like nobody could make Bellinger understand not to swing at that pitch while he was on the biggest stage of his life.

Enter, Ward’s magic again. There is no doubt in my mind that pitchers all across the majors saw this flaw in Bellinger’s approach during the 2017 playoffs and will be looking to exploit it during the 2018 season. Roberts stuck with his stud and didn’t move Bellinger far down in the lineup, no reason for him to do it next season. Nothing for the kid to do but work with the hitting coach to improve his approach, develop a good strategy, and rake. If Ward could get Puig to lay off the junk in the dirt, anything is possible.

Next: Is it time for the Dodgers to stop hoarding prospects?

Scenes from the 2018 Dodgers’ dugout

The Dodgers’ success does not revolve around one particular player. But I find it hard to see that 2018 will be as successful as last season unless Bellinger has another monster season. If Bellinger can learn to either get his hands in to turn on that inside breaking ball or not swing at it whatsoever, then he will be fine. If not, well let’s just say it won’t be pretty. I am betting that Ward comes through in the clutch again and helps the kid. I can’t help but think of Billy Joel’s jam “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” as I picture Turner Ward getting, a kiss from Puig, a kiss from Bellinger, perhaps popping bottles this October.

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