The Los Angeles Dodgers have had much controversy surrounding their outfield this season.
With left fielder Michael Conforto showing struggles on offense, and left fielder Teoscar Hernández showing glaring weaknesses on defense, this has led manager Dave Roberts to consider shaking things up.
With Conforto hitting .185 this year, moving Hernández to left has been a thought that the skipper has considered.
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“I think it’s certainly a great thought. It’s something that is not a zero percent chance of happening,” Roberts said. “I haven’t approached Teo yet about it, but it’s certainly something I’ve thought about.”
After all, the Dodgers won the World Series with Hernandez in left field.
Among active right fielders, Hernández ranks in just the first percentile in terms of Outs Above Average, with a ranking of -10. This number wasn’t much better last season, grading out in just the third percentile, but his .282 batting average and .750 OPS could be better utilized in left while being replaced in right.
One of the many combinations that Roberts has to consider is dependent on utility star Tommy Edman returning from the injured list. An early-September return is projected for the 2024 NLCS MVP who can slide into center field, while current center fielder Andy Pages would then move to right.
Another idea that Roberts has publically spoke about is moving infielder Hyeseong Kim to left field.
Kim — in keeping with the unfortunate theme of this season — is also on the injured list, but is expected to make an imminent return. With just 44 appearances in left field during his time in Korea Baseball Organization, he most recently logged five innings in left during his rehab assignment in Triple-A.
With a pair of Gold Glove awards during his KBO tenure, Kim presents the potential to be a plus defender in the outfield, while also providing his .304 batting average to help the team in his return.
Regardless, Hernandez’s batting average during the month of August is exciting after some recent struggles at the plate since his return from a left groin injury in May, but the question now remains of how to best utilize his bat while complimenting the rest of the lineup.
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Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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4 Responses
YES!…..Don’t just think about it, Do it!
Conforto, unfortunately for all concerned, has been a deficit all year. It’s way past time to move on.
I actually think it’s time for
Roberts to really shake up the
lineup & move Ottani to clean-up.
Betts back to leadoff followed by Freddie,
then Will with Teo fifth, Muncy sixth when he
returns, etc. on down! Alternate Kim & Call in left
& finally make sure Edman starts t 2n. Keep Freeman
on the roster-do not send him down!
It is way past time to be thinking about moving Teo to LF and cutting Conforto.
Well, Teo struck out two times last night in yet the second embarrassing loss to the Padres in two days and Conforto struck out again in his only at-bat. Definitely way past time for Conforto to go, but I don’t hold much hope for Teo even getting close to how he helped the team last year. At least we can get what we’ve all been clamoring for if Roberts does switch Teo and Mookie into their obvious positions at this late date. Roberts, being as stubborn as he’s shown, will only claim “see, I told you so”, if it doesn’t help the team get some much-need consistency and wins.