With the Dodgers now officially one-third of the way through their 2015 spring training schedule, the pieces are beginning to fall into place.

Sort of…

The Dodgers entered game number 10 of their scheduled 31 spring training games with 16 relievers who had not given up an earned run. The came out of the game with… 16 relievers who had not given up an earned run. One of those guys is 30-year-old right-hander Chris Hatcher who the Dodgers acquired from the Marlins in the deal that sent Dan Haren, Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas to Miami.

Dodger newcomers Yasmani Grandal and Chris Hatcher figure to see a lot of each other in 2015.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Hatcher, who has now appeared in three of the Dodgers 10 games, has allowed no runs on three hits while striking out two and walking none in his three innings of work. But on Friday night, he showed off a side of him that had not yet been seen by Dodgers fans – he has an outstanding pickoff move to first base, a rather rare commodity for a right-hander.

In his one inning of work on Friday night, Hatcher allowed a one-out infield single to Reds shortstop Kris Negron. Pitching from a stretch, Hatcher made a throw to Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in an attempt to pickoff Negron. Although replays on SportsNet LA appeared to indicate that Hatcher had successfully picked Negron off, first base umpire Todd Tichenor ruled him safe. Unfortunately, video review is not being used this spring thus Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was unable to challenger the play.

On the very next play, Hatcher again threw over to first and this time there was no doubt that he had picked Negron off – no doubt except for the one guy who had a say in the matter – Todd Tichenor, who again ruled Negron safe. This time Tichenor’s blown call drew harsh stares from both Gonzalez and Hatcher and a chorus of boos from the 13,342 umpires in the stands. But here again, no video reviews in spring training games.

Hatcher made another throw over to first but by now Negron had wisely shortened his lead by half a step and this time Tichenor’s safe call was correct. Hatcher then got Todd Frazier to fly out to center and Brennan Boesch to ground out to short to end the inning.

Hatcher’s third pickoff attempt of Negron is the only one that first base umpire Todd Tichenor actually got right. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

While it does no good to fret over two blown spring training pickoff calls, the point here is that Hatcher’s move to first base is very good, thus forcing a look into his pickoff history.

Surprisingly, Hatcher does not have even one pickoff in his 89.2 career innings pitched over four major league seasons. However, the statistic that is even more surprising is his number of throws to first base, especially last season. In 2011, Hatcher had a Pickoff Throws Per Baserunner average of 0.3333.  In 2012 it dropped to 0.1667 and down to 0.1176 in 2013. But in 2014 it became clear that Hatcher had worked on his pickoff move and now has far more confidence in it as his PTPB jumped to 0.6716 in 2014.

(Image courtesy of SportingCharts.com)

And what does Dodgers manager Don Mattingly think about Hatcher, including his pickoff move?

“I think he’s throwing the ball really well,” Mattingly said. “He does a lot of things. You can see he’s a strike-thrower, he handles himself on the mound, he’s quick to first. He’s got a pretty good mix.”

Not a bad job reference coming from one of the guys who has a say in who makes the Dodgers 25-man roster and who does not.