Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — While the Dodgers are showing hints of dominance, they still have yet to put together an extended stretch that looks anything like what they did in 2020. As we move into the second half of the season, we look at probably the main reason for this lack of consistent excellence: outfield play.
Bellinger Injury Key
Like the infield and its loss of Corey Seager, the outfield has been trying to make up for the loss of Cody Bellinger much of the first half of the year. Belli has only played a handful of games so far, and the Dodgers have had to piece together an outfield without him until very recently. Still, it will be useful to look at each position and see how the team is doing as we head into the All-Star break.
Left Field
Preseason Grade: B / Mid-season Grade: C+
In my post before the season began, I assumed that time would be split in left between AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. But with the injuries to both Bellinger and Seager, Taylor has been needed elsewhere on the field, and has only played nine games in left this year, and some of those games were not even starts but late-inning moves on a double shift. And, since Pollock has done some IL time as well, there have been numerous other players who’ve logged time in left this season. Zach McKinstry has been out there, Zach Reks has been out there, Yoshi Tsutsugo has been out there, Matt Beaty has been out there.
But it has been Pollock who has played there most, logging over 50 games so far. However, Pollock’s power numbers are way down this year. He has hit only eight home runs, compared to last seasons 16 with approximately the same number of at-bats. However, he’s gotten some big hits lately, so maybe the tide is turning for him.
Center field
Preseason Grade: A- / Mid-season Grade: B
Of course, center field has been Cody Bellinger’s domain for the last few seasons and when you lose a Gold Glover for an extended period of time, your team defense is going to suffer. Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor are both able defenders, and a lot of this mid-season grade is based on Taylor’s performance in Bellinger’s absence. However, as soon as Belli returned, his defensive presence could be felt. Unfortunately, Cody is still struggling to find it at the plate.
It could be that Bellinger’s insane start to 2019 was just a fluke, and in fact he is just not that good of a hitter, but I hope that is not the case. I hope he can listen to advice and tweak his swing a little so that he can get back to at least hitting .250 or thereabouts. As it stands right now, Bellinger is a liability in an offense that is starting to hit its stride. If these struggles continue into the fall, Dave Roberts will have to consider making Bellinger a part-time player in the post-season.
Right field
Preseason Grade: A+ / Mid-season Grade: B-
Dear Universe, could we please have our old Mookie back? I think this one is broken. I don’t know how to explain it, but Mookie Betts, the guy who led the Dodgers to the promised land last year, has just not been good this year. Time and time again, he has had opportunities to get clutch hits, and it seems like more often than not, he’ll pop up or hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield. His batting average is under .250, and his power numbers are down as well. His All-Star game selection was a bit of a joke. There are half a dozen outfielders that I probably would have chosen before Betts this year. I know in a previous post, I suggested that Mookie might be primed to break out of his slump and start producing more regularly, and it still might happen. But we are waiting, Mookie. Time to start earning that salary again.
