Dodgers: Making a Case For and Against Every Left Field Competitor

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The Dodgers entered spring with a position battle on their hands. The regular season is quickly approaching, and they still have not made a decision yet. Here are some pros and cons for every competitor.

Spring training is flying by, and still, it seems like there is no real front-runner for the job wide open this spring. Left field was essentially the only question mark entering spring, and still, no answer has been found.

The Dodgers could go in many different ways here, and for each one, they would have a valid reason for doing so. The problem for the Dodgers isn’t that they don’t have a legitimate left fielder, the problem is that they have too many legitimate options for one job.

Sometimes having too much of a good thing can cause problems. This is a good problem to have, but it still is a very tough decision for management to make. The variety of their options is the most intriguing to me.

They could go with a 12-year veteran or a rookie, and both would have a legitimate case. The Dodgers organization is just so deep and exciting. The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches, and now they have to figure out how to deal with it.

Matt Kemp

Case for Kemp:

Since his reacquisition, Kemp has already made it further with the team than what was expected. Many believed Kemp would be immediately dealt, yet he is still with the team and making a strong case to be the starting left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His first impression back with the team was a good one as Kemp looked to transform his body before arriving at Camelback Ranch. This did a lot for his perception. Letting the organization know he was not the same player he was that they traded away.

He was willing to do what was necessary. Now reports are showing Kemp is a lot more responsive to coaches and a better clubhouse presence. He has also performed well this spring. Hitting the cover off the ball. His defense should be improved with his new body and Kemp could be very deadly force in left field.

Case against Kemp:

Yes, his body has made improvements that will help his defense. Even if he does improve, he is still a defensive liability. An improvement over last season is not really saying much. Kemp posted a -17 DRS for the Braves last season and has never really been a stout defender since his injuries started.

Which brings me to my next point. It’s going to be tough to trust Kemp to stay healthy over the entire length of the season. He will be splitting time, even if he does get the job but, his health has been a problem as of late.

My heart says yes, my brain says no. Kemp was a fan favorite and seeing his vintage swing putting balls over the fence this spring makes me want to see him out there even more. It’d be nice to see him playing every day for the Dodgers, but defense, injury history and the risk of stunting the growth of younger and deserving outfielders make this a difficult choice.

Joc Pederson

Case for Joc Pederson:

After making the All-Star game his rookie season, he has struggled ever since. Still, he could be helpful for this team. His biggest strength comes defensively. He was a very good center field, and I would imagine that would translate to him being an elite defender in left field.

He has some of the best ball reactions in baseball, doesn’t have blazing speed yet he seems to track down every ball and puts his body on the line while doing it. Aside from his defense, he brings energy to the team. That is why manager Dave Roberts has a special connection with him.

The World Series was proof on how he could energize the team. His bat is lightning in a bottle. He could go yard at any moment, and that is always good to have in a lineup. Consistency will be a key factor for him to earn his spot back in the lineup.

Case against Pederson:

Like I said Joc can be a spark plug for this team when he is on. The problem is he has rarely been on. He can have some of the most frustrating at-bats on the team. His swing can get a bit too long for his own good, and his power numbers have not been enough to offset his offensive woes.

The Dodgers would be happy to deal with strikeouts if he was putting up the power numbers to counter that. However, Joc has just been unproductive. He looked like he figured it all out during the playoffs but, he came to spring training and has looked horrendous.

Pederson is currently playing his way out of a spot with his lack of production this spring. When it comes to Joc; if things are going good, boy are they going good, but, when things are going bad he can become unwatchable at times, and that is what hurts his stock mightily.

Andrew Toles

Case for Toles:

Toles was the everyday left fielder before his knee injury in 2017. He earned that spot with a great breakout performance in 2016 and a great spring to follow. Unfortunately for him, he has to do it all over again and once again claim left field.

Toles is doing just that this spring. He is proving why he got the job entering 2017 and why he deserves it this season. He is hitting very well this spring. That comes as no surprise as one of the reasons he got the job was because of his hitting. He adds versatility to the lineup because he can hit anywhere.

He is a good, not great defender but left field is not really seen as a spot for elite defenders anyways. The most interesting thing he brings is his mentality. He, like many other players on the roster, are just “blue-collar” players. No extracurricular, he just comes in does his job and hustles all the time. He fits this team perfectly, and it would be a great story for him to snatch the job two spring training’s in a row.

Case against Toles:

For players coming off an injury, they aren’t always the same when they return. A player like Toles who relies heavily on his hustle needs to trust his body won’t give out on him again and give it all he’s got. Yes, he seems fine this spring, but this is nothing like a real game.

It might be better for Toles to start off in AAA for him to get 100 percent comfortable with his restructured knee. One thing he doesn’t have that the other two do have is power. He can put the ball over the fence just not at the same rate as the other two can. Left field is traditionally for a big bat, and Toles is not that. He is a table setter who can do damage, not a power hitter.

Honorable Mentions:

Enrique Hernandez:

Case for Hernandez:

Kike will likely get his fair share of reps in left field as he should. He destroys left-handed pitching. He will likely get the nod on opening day because he has killed Madison Bumgarner in the past.

Case against Hernandez:

Unfortunately for Hernandez, he is just too valuable to the Dodgers coming off the bench. He can play EVERY position. He will share starts in left, fill in for Taylor in center, Puig in right, and probably every infielder at least once during the season will get rest thanks to the super utility man.

Alex Verdugo

Case for Verdugo:

Despite having a rough welcome to the big leagues, the kid can hit. He is an on-base machine. He would also be the best defender, and he could grow with the other two youngsters; Seager and Bellinger. Those three are the future, and we should make the future now.

Case against Verdugo:

His rough welcome to the bigs leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and there is just no room for him. If he is going to platoon, it would be better if he got every rep in AAA instead of half the reps with the big league squad.

Trayce Thompson

Case for Thompson

He’s Klay Thompson’s brother.

Case against Thompson:

He has to prove himself in AAA before even getting the slightest chance at sniffing the big leagues after his disaster of a season last year.

Next: Is 2018 Joc Pederson's last stand?

Whoever the choice is, just know that they will produce because all of these players are very good. Luckily, if the wrong choice is made or an injury occurs the Dodgers know they have the depth to make up for it as the season progresses. Who knows, maybe a player like Jake Peter gets a shot due to injury. Either way, the Dodgers are in good hands with whomver gets the job.

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