Among the Los Angeles Dodgers getting an extended opportunity so far this Spring Training include DJ Peters, who started in center field in each of the first two games of Cactus League play.
The 25-year-old’s best tool is power, having belted a combined 52 home runs over the past two Minor League seasons. Though his ability to hit the ball out of the park has never been in question, Peters noted his focus in camp is becoming more of a complete hitter.
“Definitely got to be consistent out there,” Peters said. “That’s definitely no secret. Definitely trying to work on that this spring and worked on it during the offseason as well.
“Just want to be consistent, see the ball, hit the ball, put the ball in play hard and good things will happen. I hit the ball hard, I hit it far. I want to be a little more consistent.”
Peters specifically mentioned that striking out less continues to be his biggest challenge. “Absolutely. I think from 2018 to 2019, I cut those down a little bit,” he said.
“Definitely want to keep on going in that direction. Trending downward in the strikeouts but upward stock-wise, I guess you could say. Definitely want to put the ball in play a little more consistently.”
Peters revealed he hasn’t been lifting weights as much, and instead, is focusing on becoming more agile. “In the weight room, doing a lot of fast-twitch stuff,” he said.
“I don’t need to get any bigger or stronger; I feel like I’m a big enough. So just doing fast-twitch stuff this offseason, over at USC (last year), and even now. My body feels great. Just trying to really hone in on that.”
Roberts pleased with Peters’ development
Though it’s early, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been impressed with Peters’ new approach thus far. “He looks good right now. I think he’s just one of the guys who unfortunately didn’t get to play a season last year,” Roberts said.
“He obviously worked really hard this past winter, he’s always in great shape, and for DJ it’s just continue to get the repetitions. He’s a big-bodied guy, the levers are long and really trying to dial in the mechanics.
“Honestly, the work that he’s done with the hitting guys and himself, we feel just as high on DJ as we ever have.”
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