Time for what, you ask? Only six games into the season, no hitter has yet to reach thirty plate appearances. Other than Ryu, no pitcher has worked seven innings. And, Dodgers are at the top of the National League West standings.

Don’t fix what ain’t broken would be a fair reply, but…

It’s time to reward a couple of players with increased playing time, starting with Rookie of the Year (ROY) candidate Alex Verdugo. In four at-bats as a pinch hitter, Verdugo has three hits, including a home run (against Giants left-hander Drew Pomeranz); overall he is 5-for-10, including two doubles.  In place of whom should Alex play? Leave that to Roberts, that’s why the Dodgers pay him the big bucks; but, currently there are only two possibilities, center field, or right field.

The other player who has earned some additional playing time? Joc Pederson. Yes, only six games into the season, but in twenty-two plate appearances, Pederson has slashed a robust .438 / .571 / 1.063 / 1.653, including three home runs, a double, five runs batted in, eight runs scored, four walks, and only two strike outs. Joc has accounted for an outstanding ten runs (RBI + runs scored – home runs) in six games. Only one alternative for Joc, left field where he is currently platooning with Chris Taylor. It’s time to give him regular at-bats against left-handed pitching and see if he can shed the reputation of being a platoon player.

It is also time to start touting Kiké Hernandez, A.J. Pollock, and Cody Bellinger as Rawlings Gold Glove candidates. There is no doubt that each of these players are legit Gold Glove-quality defenders, they just need the recognition from other National League managers and coaches who vote for the annual award. Never too early for fans and baseball writers to associate those players names with the prestigious award.

Yes, it’s time.

GO DODGERS!

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