Dodgers Stock Up, Stock Down: Joc Rocks, Kiké Continues to Struggle
With most facets of the Dodgers club clicking on all cylinders, it is hard to pinpoint a distinct weakness. Throughout all the bright spots, though, there are bound to be some individuals dimming the lights ever so slightly.
Let’s take a look at who has seen their stock rise and who has seen their stock fall over the course of the last two weeks.
Stock Up
Russell Martin, C
It appears the veteran Martin has found himself in the mix for more at-bats due to his solid production at the plate as well as Barnes’ struggles.
Muscle Martin. pic.twitter.com/KD9GbsNTBV
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 19, 2019
Martin has posted a .375/.412/.625 slash line in 17 plate appearances this week. His defense behind the plate has been impeccable and he maintains a leadership role inside the clubhouse.
Joc Pederson, OF
Joc has once again found his groove at the plate. Across 34 plate appearances, he has posted a .250/.382/.714 triple-slash with 4 homers and 7 RBIs. Joc remains the leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching and has played passable left field defense when he has been a part of the lineup.
Rich Hill, SP
After a very slow start to the season, D. Mountain turned in another fantastic outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday and things are definitely looking up for the 39-year-old. He remains a force in the rotation and could find himself pitching into his 40’s if he keeps it up.
Rich Hill was ? about the use of the shift costing him a hit… pic.twitter.com/W6ORQ6YBf4
— Mike Trudell (@MikeTrudell) May 22, 2019
And he hates the shift.
Stock Down
Chris Taylor, UTIL
Taylor has struggled all season long and his struggles actually date back to last year when he set the Dodgers record for most strikeouts in a single season. He holds a .472 OPS across 28 plate appearances.
Enrique Hernandez, 2B
Kiké has been struggling all year as well with his struggles recently being uncharacteristically bad. He continues to play elite defense at second base but continues to find himself in lineups against righties, which should not be the case considering his 78 wRC+ lifetime mark against them.
Austin Barnes, C
With Russell Martin’s bat playing up and Will Smith showing out in Oklahoma City, Barnes’ at-bats should surely be on the decline in the near future. On the season, Barnes has posted a .709 OPS and 93 wRC+ with a 0.7 WAR mark. The numbers are not terrible for a solid defensive catcher, but on a potentially World Series bound team like the Dodgers, Barnes is a liability offensively.
Overall
The team has performed well this season, withstanding poor performances from guys a solid part of their roster (Seager, Barnes, Taylor, Hernandez). Nonetheless, the team is winning games with excellent starting pitching and the offense is being led by Cody Bellinger and rookie Alex Verdugo. More positive runs appear to be in the Dodgers’ imminent future.
How about the inconsistent relief corps? Russell Martin(at his age) can’t be expected to continue hitting. If Barnes needs to be replaced i.e. no longer a member of the team, then the Dodgers will need a back-up. How about calling up Will Smith? Keibert Ruiz is Not for Major League competition. Joc Pederson can be a non-factor, LHPs. The opposition knows this and then Hernandez bats lead-off. No thanks, Kike’s an automatic out, he doesn’t face Bumgarner everygame and the last game, he didn’t even hit a homerun off of Bumgarner.
A different poster suggested trading for Tigers Castellanos and reliever Shawn Greene? Allow me to throw out a different OF, how about Seattle’s Mitch Haniger, bats right-handed, but his position is RF. I would offer Pederson, but probably Seatlle would ask for Muncy.
Robin, my guess is they would want more besides Muncy.. I am not in favor of Castellanos, as he would be just a rental, but then again that’s what Dodgers target at the trade deadline
PaulDodgerFan1965, lol, would Seattle take Taylor back? I read the Mariners GM say he made a mistake(obviously after how Taylor hit in 2017) in trading Taylor. I don’t know Muncy/Pederson, Taylor for Haniger plus one of their relievers either in Majors or Minor League?
The wheeling and dealing has begun on this board!!!! Frankly, I do not see Max or Joc going anywhere anytime soon. Kiki is a fine utility man who does have power as he showed last year; Taylor gives us a modicum of speed on the bases. I also do not wish to upset team chemistry!!! This is most important. Winning brings teams together, and the Blue Crew is in a fine position to win our division. I do not think the aforementioned players need to be dealt; I do think a BP pitcher of note (hint, hint) needs to be acquired. Go Blue!!!