Dodgers Offseason: Winter League, AFL Players Trending Up And Down
After looking at where the Dodgers will be playing this off-season, we take a look at what players are trending up and down in their respective leagues.
Trending Up
Joc Pederson
In 15 games for the Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuela, Pederson is hitting .279 with four home runs and seven RBI. He also added four doubles and a triple to go along with 26 walks. His on-base percentage is an astounding .543 so far.
Pederson, regarded as the Dodgers top outfield prospect, spent the 2013 season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and hit .278 with 22 home runs, 24 doubles and 58 RBI. He also added 31 stolen bases to go with a .394 on-base percentage.
The 21-year-old is looking to improve and will try and crack the Dodgers’ crowded outfield; however, he’s also one of the Dodgers’ best trading chips and may be used to acquire another player over the winter.
Yimi Garcia
Garcia has been playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League and has had a solid showing so far. The reliever has thrown 7.2 innings in six appearances giving up two runs with six strikeouts. His 2.35 ERA helped earn him a spot representing the Dodgers at the Fall Stars Game.
Last year, the 23-year-old pitched for the Lookouts and had 19 saves with a 2.54 ERA. In 60.1 innings, he had 85 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.81 as a reliever.
Garcia is in his fifth season with the Dodger organization and will be looking to make the team next season as a part of their bullpen.
Dee Gordon
Although he has yet to start playing for the Tigres de Licey, Gordon is using this off-season to improve his value as he transitions from infielder to outfielder. The 25-year-old’s decision could be based on the team’s impending decisions on free agents Skip Schumaker and Jerry Hairston Jr., utility players than can play both infield and outfield.
Gordon spent time with the Dodgers and their Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes last season. In the majors, he hit just .234 with 10 stolen bases in 38 games. On defense, Gordon struggled and had seven errors in 27 games at shortstop.
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