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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