Dodgers to Give Joc Pederson Playing Time at First Base

It’s no secret that the Dodgers love versatility and the latest player to embrace that is Joc Pederson.  Joc is going to get a look at first base.

One of the least known secrets in MLB is that the Dodgers love players who are capable of playing all around the diamond.  This season Max Muncy has embraced a more versatile role playing third base and second base in addition to getting the bulk of the starts at first base.  The latest player embracing versatility is Joc Pederson.

Dave Roberts has said that Joc is going to get a chance to play first base this season for LA.  Over the last few seasons, Joc Pederson has taken grounders at first base in practice but it never seemed to be anything serious.  Now with Roberts acknowledging the possibility, it seems like it’s going to happen sooner or later this season.

The move is the beginning of the Dodgers starting to prepare for the return of A.J. Pollock.  Pollock who has resumed baseball activities, will return to the team sometime after the All-Star break and reclaim his starting role in centerfield.  That would leave Alex Verdugo without a starting spot since the Dodgers want Cody Bellinger to stay in the outfield.

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By using Joc Pederson at first base, the club can play Verdugo in left field and play Max Muncy at second base.  Muncy has proven to be adequate enough at second base and his bat will certainly make up for any errors as Max has been one of the team’s best hitters this season.  First base has generally been a position for sluggers and Joc obviously has the pop to fit in as a first baseman.

While the Dodgers’ defense may be a bit vulnerable on the right side of the infield with Muncy and Joc at first and second base, the outfield defense would be tremendous.  Verdugo, Pollock, and Bellinger are all above average fielders and Dugie and Bellinger have strong arms that would make runners think twice about taking an extra base.

The offensive struggles of Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor are the reason why the Dodgers are going to give Pederson a chance to play first base.  Hernandez has regressed to being ineffective against right-handed pitching, and Taylor has also failed to recapture the success he has had in his first two seasons in Los Angeles.  Look for Joc pop to come to first base in the coming weeks.