The Los Angeles Dodgers opened Spring Training with nine outfielders, including utility man Kiké Hernandez, on their 40-man roster. Outside of Joc Pederson in center field, there wasn’t much clarity in terms of who viewed as a primary starter.
Though, after Pederson, Yasiel Puig figured to be most likely to earn a regular role in the outfield for the Dodgers this season. Despite the inconsistency that’s plagued him since 2014, Puig remains the club’s most dynamic outfielder.
The 26-year-old spent the offseason shedding weight, at the Dodgers’ instruction, and said his desire was to again be an everyday player — whether in Los Angeles or with another team.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has spoken about Puig in a positive manner on multiple occasions throughout the spring. Roberts again discussed Puig on Saturday and voiced his support of him, via David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Dave Roberts not wavering on Puig in RF: "We're committed to all our players. You got to bet on them, love on them. I'm all in on Yasiel."
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 11, 2017
Puig slugged a pair of two-run home runs in Friday’s win over the Texas Rangers. He entered play on Monday tied with Joc Pederson for the team lead in home runs (three) this spring. Over nine Cactus League games, Puig is batting .261/.346/.739
He’s coming off arguably his most disappointing season as a professional. Unable to move Puig prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, the Dodgers optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The demotion was Puig’s first of his career.
He returned to the Majors last September and vowed to have learned from the experience. It’s a message Puig echoed this spring, placing an emphasis on a strong work ethic and being a good teammate in effort to avoid a repeat of 2016.
