October 26th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 We cannot look forward to the Dodgers outfield in 2020 without first looking back at the regular season performances in 2019. Using Fangraphs wins above replacement (WAR), weighted runs created (wRC+), and defensive runs above average (DEF) the Dodgers outfielders in the just-completed regular season ranged from exceptional to horrid.
Right field was first in WAR, and second in wRC+, slashing a combined .300 / .393 / .616 / 1.009 with 51 home runs (HR), 115 runs scored (R), and 125 runs-batted-in (RBI). Eight different Dodgers played right field last season, with Cody Bellinger accounting for 64% of the total plate appearances, Joc Pederson 18%, and Alex Verdugo 10%. Defensively, the Dodgers were fourth in MLB, with Bellinger’s gold glove quality defense more than offsetting less than average defense by Pederson and Verdugo.
Left field was fourth in WAR and seventh in wRC+, slashing a combined .249 / .318 / .497 / .815 with 39 HR, 102 R, and 100 RBI. Pederson, with only 39% of the total plate appearances, was the offensive leader for the position. Matt Beaty was a pleasant surprise for the team slashing .310 / .355 / .530 / .885 in 107 plate appearances and A.J. Pollock was above average with a .830 OPS. Defensively, the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies left field units led all MLB teams.
Center field was supposed to be the domain of Pollock, who was signed by the Dodgers to a four year/$55million contract with a $10million fifth-year player option. Pollock slashed .270 / .331 / .461 / .792 while playing center field, but his defense was horrid with a -5.2 DEF, ranking him 162nd out of 167 center fielders for the season. The team was eventually forced to move Pollock to left field while alternating Verdugo, Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernandez, and Bellinger in center. Collectively, Dodgers center fielders slashed .278 / .338 / .477 / .814 with 28 HR, 100 R, and 85 RBI; 10th in WAR, and ninth in wRC+. Notably, Taylor (OPS 1.117), Bellinger (OPS .906), and Verdugo (OPS .843) played exceptionally well in center field in place of Pollock.
Looking forward to 2020, barring injuries, trades, and / or free-agent acquisitions, the Dodgers outfield should once again put up All-Star quality numbers with Cody Bellinger in right field, Alex Verdugo in center field, and the platoon of Joc Pederson and A.J. Pollock in left field. Kiké Hernandez, Matt Beaty, Edwin Rios, and Chris Taylor should be competing for roster spots to back up the outfielders and infielders.
Of course, there is already supposition that the Dodgers could / should sign a free agent, right-handed-hitting outfielders like Nick Castellanos or Marcell Ozuna, or trade for an outfielder like Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Trey Mancini (Orioles), Bryan Reynolds (Pirates). But will any of these outfielders perform better than the current Dodgers outfield, and at what cost monetarily or in prospects.
Good material to stoke the fires of the Hot Stove League.
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Looking Forward, looks like the 2020 Dodger starters will be primarily left handed hitters, infield and outfield. This has caused concern for a number of the posters here, me not so much.
We still project to have three righty starters if we do nothing against lefties, Turner, Smith and Pollock. We also have a couple pretty good righty platoon candidates, Taylor and Hernandez.
While I’d like to see a major offensive upgrade somewhere, like Rendon, especially the way the Dodgers have hit in the postseason the last few years, I’d rather see the Dodgers get a top line starter and improve the bullpen in 2020. Pitching is where it’s at.
How about improving the offense by having the hitters work on ways to beat the shift and moving runners over? Waiting for the homerun or bust hasn’t been getting it done.
It will be a very interesting off season for the Dodgers with obvious bullpen needs, likely another starting pitcher if Ryu signs elsewhere, and how they handle third base. Will soon review starting pitching, bullpen, and bench, then my theories / guesses on acquisitions / divestments.
Instead of shuffling Bellinger around from RF to CF and then to 1st, he would be best served and I believe his production would be more consistent if Roberts and Co. just keep him in RF, period, unless some injury to him or another player dictate otherwise. Same for CF. A bit less shuffling on a daily basis might just what will produce a better end result.
I concur with your last sentence but I am sure Dodgers may look for a RH Impact hitter because Turner can only do so much now that he is getting older, and we know about Pollock. Jury still is out on Will Smith and Kiki , CT3, one of whom may be dealt are utility guys that don’t necessarily put fear into the opposing pitchers. If Pollock is dealt and most here would like to see him traded away, Dodgers may or most likely will have to pay a good portion of his $$
I’m probably the odd man out here, but my pipe dream would be for the Dodgers to promote right-handed-hitting stud (and Glendora, CA native) outfielder DJ Peters.
I fully get that the Dodgers outfield is already (very) crowded, but to be brutally honest, A.J. Pollock sucks. The Dodgers are going to seriously regret his albatross 4-year/$55 million contract through 2022 (with a ridiculous player option for 2023).
Peters is an absolute beast. In 2019, he slashed .249/.358/.453/.811 with 23 home runs between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A OKC. He is also a great kid.
If Peters can cut his K rate from 33% to 20 – 25% he will be a perennial all star. Second half of next season at the earliest IMO.
That is exactly my thought on Peters…he needs NOT to to be imitating Billy Ashley when he gets here. Peters of course appears to be better defensively from what I saw in ST last year so wss.
I’d love to see the former Western Nevada C.C. stud make it. I’m with Jesse, bring that K rate down some and the sky is the limit. He made big strides last year at AAA and could be the 2020 big call up.
I don’t think anyone liked the Pollock signing. I didn’t understand it then, the long contract and giving up a 1st round pick, but we are stuck with him now. Although, I’ve read that, right now, he has positive value. I don’t know about that, but hope it’s true.
Looking forward to Jesse’s “theories / guesses on acquisitions / divestments”.
I am in lock-step with you and Ron, signing Pollock was a head scratcher considering his injury history, declining defensive skills in centerfield, and his stats away from extremely hitter friendly Chase Field. For a stats driven decision making organization, the Dodgers signing Pollock was weird.
I believe most know, and it was talked about as to why Pollock was signed. Based upon what took place in 2018, especially in the WS Freidman wanted a what he considered would be a solid RHB to put in middle of lineup. But most would agree with you that in the end Pollock’s signing was weird based upon his injury history and all.
Biggest potential impact on the 2020 dodger outfield will be whether or not RYU is retained or gone. If he has to be replaced the dodgers will have to use some of these surplus outfielders to obtain a replacement for RYu or jump into the free agent waters for s guy like Wheeler probably similar adv to RYU.
Plus we still need another bullpen arm so again it’s the surplus in the outfield that probably leads to that move as well. Prediction here Pollock and either Kiki or CT3 ate traded with others this off-season
PS Ryu has Scott Boras
My vote, re-sign Ryu. And possibly Hill if he will take a significant reduction in pay and agree to pitch out of the bullpen with an occasional start. Hopefully, some team will take Pollock and a couple of mid-level prospects in return for some decent bullpen help.
In the case of Pollock I am sure other teams will want Dodgers to pay a big part of his salary before any deal is made.
Or the Dodgers take back a contract another team is trying to dump – the Indians Corey Kluber for example
Well thought out piece. Thank you for that. The Dodgers out field seemed murky. I think your article
straightens ‘things’ out. I so hope Verdugo does this next season what Verdugo does best, lead off and getting on base. With a stellar glove. Dang this team is built for the ages. How fun to be a Dodger fan!!!! And yeah some how get rid of Pollack. Dang that was an odd signing.