Dodgers: The Left Field Battle is Off to a Thunderous Start

The Dodgers came into spring training 2018 with the expectation that one winner would emerge from a battle royale for the starting left field job.  So far, the early results have shown the competition will be fierce.

The Dodgers entered spring training with almost every starting position sorted out except for left field.  The left field competition will most likely last all of spring training unless trades or injuries narrow down the competition.  The competitors for the left field job are Matt Kemp, Andrew Toles, Alex Verdugo, Trayce Thompson, and Joc Pederson.  While Kike Hernandez is said to be in the competition, he will primarily start against left-handed starters and play all over the field.

Matt Kemp is probably the favorite for the starting left field job just because he is making over twenty million dollars this season so the Dodgers are going to give him a long look.  Kemp has helped his case early on as he went 2-2 in his only game so far this spring and swatted a three-run home run.  Kemp is out to prove that his bat still can provide fireworks for LA and that his slimmed-down physique will allow him to play average defense in left field.

Kike Hernandez also has a home run through the first couple of spring games and his home run came off a right-handed pitcher.  Despite his epic three-run homer game against the Cubs in game five of the NLCS, Hernandez is not known as much more than a lefty-mashing utility player.  If Kike can have a big spring, he could push for more playing time even when there is not a southpaw starting pitcher.

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One player who is out of options and has to make the team or be placed on waivers is Trayce Thompson.  Thompson had a 2017 season to forget but he is still a versatile outfielder who is capable of blasting home runs off the bench.  If Thompson can show enough this spring, he may have an outside chance to make the Dodgers opening day roster.  Through the first weekend of games, Thompson is 3-6 with a stolen base.  It’s safe to say that Trayce came ready to battle for his Dodger career.

Alex Verdugo and Joc Pederson are also viable options for the starting left field role.  Joc and Verdugo both have a double this spring, although Joc’s double was a fly ball that found itself a place to drop in left field.  Verdugo also has a couple of hits but will need a strong showing this spring in order to have a legit shot to start in left field.  Due to him only being 21 years-old, Verdugo will likely have to win the left field job to stick on the Dodgers opening day roster.  The Dodgers would rather play him in Triple-A every day than to let him sit on the Major League bench.

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Andrew Toles is the one left-field candidate who has not gotten off to a quick start.  Toles played in his first spring game on Saturday and went 0-3 with a strikeout.  Like Verdugo, Toles also has minor league options left so the Dodgers can send him down to Triple-A if he doesn’t appear to be all the way back from his knee injury.  While it’s only been a few games, the left field battle will be fierce, and Matt Kemp certainly knows how to make a first impression.