Joc Pederson didn't show much in 18 games (28 at-bats) with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
The spotlight may have been too bright for the young prospect.
Through 52 games (177 at-bats) in 2015, Pederson has been lights-out and is on pace for Rookie of the Year.
It's early to start passing hardware around, but this kid is something special. Put his 63 strikeouts, which is near the top, aside and focus on what he does best: get on base, hit with power and drive runners home. Pederson stole plenty of bases in the PCL and hasn't displayed that aspect of his game over a short time in the majors.
There was some uncertainty as to whether Pederson's power would translate to Dodger Stadium and other big league ball parks. Throw that genius theory to the garbage man because Pederson is one of the major league leaders in average home run distance.
Fans have grabbed 16 souvenirs this season from Pederson, including two in a recent doubleheader split with the Colorado Rockies. Pederson has gone deep in four straight games and is tied for second in the bigs in long balls.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly probably doesn't care about all the homers, just as long as his prized center fielder gets on base.
"You want him to get on base, and he's close to .400; I think he's doing OK," Mattingly said. "We like what Joc's doing."
One scout said Pederson will make playing center field in the majors look easy, and his bat speed is arguably the best in the minor leagues. Well, we're not in Kansas anymore and the baby-faced Pederson is stroking the ball with ease at the highest level. Pederson has reached base safely via hit or walk in 15 straight games and is among the NL leaders in homers, walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
That's what you want to see from your leadoff hitter.
"Joc has a chance to be a really, really good player," Mattingly said.
While Mattingly is pointing out the obvious, the Dodgers didn't know Pederson would be this good this fast. They had their hopes resting on the broad shoulders of outfielders Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford. Both players are currently disabled with injuries and Pederson is taking full advantage.
Imagine what the Los Angeles lineup will look like with a healthy Puig, Pederson and Adrian Gonzalez. L.A. starting pitchers would like that.
"He's doing pretty well, hitting pitches I never thought he was going to hit, and he's still really young so it's extra impressive," said Dodgers starter Zack Greinke, who's been the beneficiary of a few Pederson blasts.
Pederson, who clubbed nine home runs in May, leads the Dodgers in homers and is second with 31 RBI behind Gonzalez (38). Gonzalez has the best average on the team at .332, while Pederson's at a pedestrian .260. Pederson needs to keep his strikeouts down, a hard feat to achieve for a free-swinging slugger.
On pace for 50-plus homers this season, Pederson and his moon-shot ability could surpass Mark McGwire's rookie record of 49 set in 1987 with Oakland. McGwire is Pederson's hitting coach. The Dodgers' record for homers by a rookie is 35 set by Mike Piazza back in 1993.
The Dodgers also have rookie slugger Alex Guerrero and he's right behind Pederson with 10 home runs, including a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning of Tuesday's 9-8 win in the nightcap of a twin bill.
Right now it's about Joc and his support of the NL West-leading Dodgers. By the time August and September roll around, Los Angeles, which leads the majors with 73 homers, should be a well-oiled machine ready to make a (home) run.
[SportsNetwork.com]
