Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn’t yet certain how the entire lineup will take shape for Game 1 against the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series, but the rookie manager did reveal on Thursday that Andrew Toles will start in left field.
Toles missed the final two games of the regular season due to a sore left wrist. He wore a soft cast and participated in Tuesday’s workout at Dodger Stadium, though was limited to just throwing. Roberts did say the wrist injury was minor and Toles was capable of starting that evening if a game was being played.
The 24-year-old outfielder is one of seven rookies expected to be on the Dodgers’ 25-man roster for the NLDS once they formally submit it Friday morning. He’s also part of a more exclusive group, as Toles made his Major League debut this season.
“His ascension has been remarkable. He’s a player we trust, someone who doesn’t scare off, can conduct a good at-bat, and play defense,” Roberts said on Tuesday. “Andrew is a guy who can steal a base if need be, can score from first on a ball in the gap. He does a lot of things to help us win.”
After being out of baseball in 2015, Toles connected with Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler over the winter and participated in the Instructional League. That led to Toles’ signing a Minor League contract with the Dodgers.
“We’ve talked about this all year. I think the environment Doc and the coaches and veteran players have created has allowed these guys to come up from the Minor Leagues and be incredibly comfortable,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said of the impact young players had this season. “That’s something we expect to carry on.”
Toles began the year with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, and spent time with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to debuting in the Majors on July 8. He hit .314/.365/505 with nine doubles, one triple, three home runs and 16 RBI over 48 games with the Dodgers.
Toles has yet to face Max Scherzer in his young career, but didn’t bat .326/.382/.511 off right-handed pitching, with all of his doubles and two of three home runs coming in those at-bats.
