When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Logan Forsythe they not only addressed their need at second base, but also appeared to have acquired a leadoff hitter. Manager Dave Roberts initially referred to Forsythe as much, though later clarified that the 30-year-old is likely to hit in the upper-half of the lineup.
Forsythe’s first start with the Dodgers came in the Cactus League opener against the Chicago White Sox, and lo and behold he was atop the lineup sheet. Forsythe went 1-for-2 and added a defensive highlight by making a run-saving catch on a line drive up the middle.
“Throughout his career, he’s got a DNA of getting on base,” Roberts said prior to Saturday’s game. “Versus right, versus left, he conducts an at-bat and gets on base. To be somewhere at the top makes sense.”
Forsythe appeared in 127 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, making 125 starts with all coming as the leadoff hitter. It was the first time in his career doing such. Forsythe batted .265/.335/.446 with 24 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs and 52 RBI as the leadoff man.
Although the 30 year old makes for a natural answer atop the Dodgers lineup, Roberts mentioned other options the club is considering, including Andre Ethier and Andrew Toles.
“Last year, we had Andre hitting at the top of the order before his injury. Against right-handed pitching he has a way of getting on base,” Roberts said.
“He looks like the same guy I saw in camp last year. Mentally, physically, he’s in a great place. The way he’s swinging the bat right now, he looks good. His ability to conduct an at-bat sets the tone. Andre, like a lot of our guys, has that ability to kind of hit anywhere in the order.”
Ethier started in left field and hit leadoff for the Dodgers against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. He finished 1-for-2 with a walk.
Toles did not start in the lead off spot during any of his 48 games (23 starts) with the Dodgers last season. “Toles is a guy against right-handed pitching that has that ability,” Roberts explained.
“Joc (Pederson) is another guy, but with the slug potential, you kind of like having the idea of having guys on base. We have some pretty good options.” Joc Pederson has made 70 career starts as the leadoff hitter, with all but one coming during the 2015 season.
He hit .222/.329/.447 with nine doubles, 17 home runs, 32 RBI, 37 walks and 93 strikeouts in 319 plate appearances. Pederson’s prolonged struggles at the plate as a rookie led to then-manager Don Mattingly dropping him in the lineup.
