Chances are there are many Dodger fans who had never heard of Scott Schebler prior to Friday night’s game against the Padres at Petco Park. Oh sure, “Scheb” (as his friends and teammates call him) had already made his MLB debut with the Dodgers back on June 5, but that could barely even be called a cup of coffee and he was sent back down to the minors immediately following that game – this in spite of the fact that he went 1 for 3 with a single in his first major league at-bat. But fans who closely follow the Dodger’s minor league teams know exactly who Schebler is and they have been anxiously awaiting his return to the Dodgers, which came on September 1.

Although Schebler, who was profiled here on ThinkBlueLA by minor league correspondent Harold Uhlman last November, sat out the first three games since being called up, he was in the Dodgers starting line-up on Friday night as the team’s right fielder against James Shields – one of the games’ premier right-handers. All Schebler did was drive a Shields’ 83-MPH change-up 447 feet into the right field seats in the top of the second inning to tie the game 2-2.

“It was awesome,” Schebler told reporters after the game. “To do it off James Shields is pretty special. And just to get it out of the way is nice, too.”

Rookie outfielder Scott Schebler hit his first major league home run on Friday evening – a monster 447-foot blast to right field. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But not only did the 24-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa native hit his first major league home run on Friday night, he also made an outstanding leaping catch in the bottom of the sixth inning to rob Padres left fielder Justin Upton of an extra base hit.

Schebler’s sixth-inning leaping catch on Friday night was definitely web gem material.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA – Click on image to view video)

For Dodger fans who do follow the teams’ minor league affiliates, Friday night’s game gave them a look at what they may have seen in the past but more importantly, a look at what two-thirds of the Dodgers outfield will most likely look like next season – stay for Yasiel Puig, who may miss the remainder of this season and perhaps even the postseason due to his ailing right hamstring.

Although Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson has been up with the big club for the entire season while Schebler was at Triple-A  Oklahoma City, they spent considerable time patrolling the outfield together up to and including Double-A Chattanooga last season (before the team moved to Tulsa this season). They also spent time together at the Dodgers annual winter mini-camp in January of 2014.  As such, it should come as no surprise that they work exceptionally well together and will definitely compliment each other going forward.

Schebler (left) and Joc Pederson working out together at the Dodgers winter mini-camp in January 2014. Interestingly, Schebler throws right-handed but bats exclusively left-handed.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The question, of course, is what to do with current Dodgers outfielders Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke and recently acquired Justin Ruggiano. Although Ruggiano is signed only through the remainder of this season, Crawford is under contract through the 2017 season and Ethier through the 2017 season with an option for 2018. In other words, somebody (or somebodies) will have to be moved or be willing to accept a part-time role if Schebler, Pederson and Puig become the everyday starters next season – a very likely scenario.

Another question is, will Schebler be included on the Dodgers postseason roster? One can only speculate that if he tears it up for the remainder of the season – an unlikely proposition if he is not in the lineup every day – he might be added to the playoff roster, with might being the operative word. But regardless of whether he is or isn’t, it’s safe to say that he is here to stay.

…it’s also safe to say that every Dodger fan knows who Scott Schebler is now.