After the Los Angeles Dodgers lost a sixth consecutive game, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez left a handwritten message on a whiteboard inside the clubhouse, imploring the team to continue pushing forward. One of manager Dave Roberts’ responses was to shuffle his lineup for Sunday’s game.
With the San Diego Padres starting left-hander Drew Pomeranz, Chase Utley, who’s been the primary leadoff hitter for the Dodgers this season, wasn’t in the lineup. With that, Roberts placed the slumping Yasiel Puig at the top of the order, where he’s enjoyed success over his young career.
“With Yasiel in the leadoff spot, it’s more getting him that mindset of getting on base,” Roberts explained of his decision.
“You look at the last week where he’s coming out of the strike zone, being extra aggressive, swinging at balls out of the zone, so putting him in the leadoff spot might temper that a little bit. If he’s on base and putting quality at-bats together then hopefully everyone will feed off of it.”
While Roberts aimed to refocus Puig by batting him leadoff, the rookie manager didn’t expect his dynamic outfielder to completely change who he is. “Do I expect him to take just because he’s in the leadoff spot? Absolutely not,” Roberts said.
“If he sees a first-pitch fastball that he wants to let it rip, then go for it. But, I do believe there’s a mindset in being a little more selective, because at the top of the order it’s innately in you that you want to get on base.”
Puig’s first at-bat ended in a foul out just off first base on one pitch. He saw nine pitches in his second at-bat, but grounded out. Puig finished the afternoon 0-for-4, though he was hardly the only player to come away empty at the plate.
Quality of the Dodgers’ at-bats was of particular emphasis during their seven-game homestand. Roberts on multiple occassions throughout the week pointed to players attempting to do more than necessary and and as a result, attacking pitches out of the strike zone. That applied to Puig, among others.
“The ultimate goal is to get a hit. But as far as process, it’s to put together a good at-bat and swing on the ball,” Roberts said. “The more times you do that, you’ll get hits. I think he’s getting a little ahead of the process. If you look at his last week, there’s a lot of swings outside the strike zone.”
Puig entered the homestand batting .294/.368/.441 with three doubles, two triples, one home run and seven RBIs. After a subpar week, he’s now hitting .239/.300/.380 with one more home run to show for it.
