The 2017 season was an up-and-down one for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, as he began the season as the everyday center fielder, but wound up being demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City in August.
Pederson hit .212/.331/.407 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 102 big league games, which were career-low marks. But he worked his way back from the demotion and wound up regaining his starting spot come the postseason.
Pederson delivered on multiple occasions in the World Series, appearing in six games and hitting .333/.400/.944 with three home runs and five RBIs. He looked the part of a successful rookie season when he was named All-Star.
Going into the 2018 season, Pederson’s role with the team is currently unknown, and will likely depend on how much work he puts in during the offseason.
Among the things the front office wants him to focus on in his training is conditioning, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times
The Dodgers have talked to outfielder Joc Pederson about improving his conditioning in order to regain his explosiveness in the field and on the bases, Zaidi said.
Pederson has shown that he has some speed, as he stole 113 bases in four Minor League seasons. It has not translated to his time with the Dodgers, however, as he stole just four bases in 2015, six in 2016 and four in 2017.
His defense also diminished a bit this season, and the result was Chris Taylor replacing him in center field and Pederson moving over to left when he regained his starting spot.
If Pederson can get into better shape and use his speed more, combined with his raw power, he has an opportunity to be a special player for the Dodgers.
As it currently stands he will head into Spring Training battling for the third outfield spot with Andrew Toles. And perhaps against Cody Bellinger as well, as he could return to the outfield if Adrian Gonzalez is healthy and productive enough to warrant a starting spot.
