Dodgers: CT3 is the Solution to the Joc Pederson First Base Experiment

In a somewhat bizarre move, the Dodgers’ front office reached into its bag of tricks and pulled out Joc Pederson at first base.

With the expectation that A.J. Pollock will return shortly after the All-Star Game, the front office wants a way to keep both Pederson and Alex Verdugo’s bat in the line-up.  They’re certainly not going to sit MVP-front runner Cody Bellinger, so why not go for the long-shot and try Joc at first base.  Hey, if it works, you look like geniuses, and if not, it was just an “experiment”.

So far the experiment has gone, well, probably about as well as most would have expected it to go.  I’ll graciously leave it at that.  But the reality is that it’s a moot point.  Like Pollock, Corey Seager is expected to return shortly after the All-Star Game as well.

With mild-mannered utility-player, Chris Taylor, seemingly on the verge of finding the stroke that previously turned him into the clutch-hitting machine, CT3 for most of 2017, it makes sense to keep his bat in the line-up starting at second base.  You’re certainly not going to take Max Muncy’s bat out of the line-up, so Muncy will shift over to be the every-day first baseman.

That leaves 2 left-handed bats, Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo, and 1 right-handed bat, A.J. Pollock, for 2 outfield spots.  I know that Pollock was the front office’s big offensive free agent signing this off-season, and the intent was for him to be the every-day centerfielder against lefties and righties.

But the bottom line is that Pollock was not hitting very well when he went down on the IL anyway (.223/.287/.330/.617 with 2 HRs and 14 RBIs).  Looking a little closer, I think the plan becomes clear.  Pollock’s splits were .333/.394/.433/.827 against lefties but only .178/.244/.288/.532 against righties.

By contrast, Pederson’s splits are .253/.353/.581/.934 with all 20 of his HRs against righties but only .154/.154/.192/.346 against lefties.  Yet Verdugo is hitting .342/383/.507/.890 against lefties and .298/.350/.506/.856 with 8 of his 9 HRs against lefties.

Once Pollock returns, the Dodgers should start A.J.in center and Verdugo in left against lefties and they should start Verdugo in center and Pederson in left against righties.  I’m sure the FO will still give Pollock at least some opportunities to see righties, especially if Pederson falls into one of his longer slumps.

As of right now, I’d say that Pederson has earned the right to see the majority of at-bats against right-handed pitchers.  And between his consistent bat, excellent glove, and the high level of energy and excitement he brings every day, Verdugo has earned the right to be a full-time starter.