3 southpaw-mashers the Dodgers should pursue at the trade deadline

1. Jordan Luplow

Jordan Luplow is the definition of a right-handed bench bat. If you look at Luplow’s overall numbers with the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, you will probably cringe. It may not seem like the Dodgers’ best interest to trade for someone with a .181 batting average.

That being said, Luplow mashes left-handed pitching. He’s not someone who has a high batting average against lefties, but he very obviously sees the ball well from lefties as his walk rate is solid and his power is there.

Luplow’s .214 batting average against southpaws is not very exciting, but despite having a low average, the right-handed outfielder has an on-base percentage of .309. That’s still not the highest number, but considering his average, it’s a start.

The more intriguing part about Luplow as a right-handed bench bat is his power. Luplow has slugged eight home runs off of southpaws this season in 81 plate appearances and he has the 19th-best slugging percentage in MLB against lefties.

This is not a one-year breakout for Luplow, either, as he’s always hit southpaws much better than right-handed pitching. Luplow has a career OPS of .898 against left-handed pitching. There are only 25 active players in MLB that have a .890 OPS or better against southpaws with at least 450 plate appearances. Luplow is one of those 25.

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Protected in a Dodgers lineup that’s deep as could be, Luplow would probably get on base even more as a spot starter against left-handed pitching. When it comes to facing a left-handed reliever in a close game, Luplow would be a much better option than Hanser Alberto to throw out there.