Throughout the Los Angeles Dodgers’ time in San Diego, manager Dave Roberts has provided bits of information pertaining to the club’s decisions for their postseason roster. On Thursday, Roberts revealed versatile outfielder Andrew Toles will be active during the National League Division Series.
“I think the word is starting to get out. I’m sure the Nationals will have some accurate information,” Roberts said when discussing Toles’ arm strength. His next statement confirmed Toles will be with the club for the best-of-five series.
Roberts previously remarked Toles was competing with Andre Ethier for a spot on the NLDS roster. Ethier returned Sept. 10 from a fractured right tibia sustained in Spring Training. He’s essentially playing through some discomfort, and predictably has yet to make a true impact.
Toles, meanwhile, has often provided a spark for the Dodgers since making his Major League debut on July 8 at Dodger Stadium.
Entering play Friday, he’s batting .317/.368/.510 with nine doubles, one triple, three home runs and 16 RBI over 47 games (23 starts). Toles has also flashed a strong arm, particularly of late.
He threw out Brandon Crawford on his attempt to go from first to third base on a flare single into left field, and nailed Yasmany Tomas and Nolan Arenado on their attempts to score on a base hit.
Roberts has raved about Toles on multiple occasions, at one point calling him the club’s “pound-for-pound strongest player.” Toles’ success this season has been nothing short of remarkable.
He began the year with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and made stops in Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to reaching the Majors. This is after the 24-year-old was out of baseball last season and working at a grocery store.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman credited director of player development Gabe Kapler for connecting with Toles last fall, which led to his signing. During his time at the helm of the Tampa Bay Rays front office, Friedman selected Toles in the third round of the 2012 Draft.
Others Roberts said will be on the Dodgers’ roster for their matchup with the Washington Nationals are Yasiel Puig, and starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda.
Conversely, Jose De Leon is considered a “long shot” to be with the club come the postseason.
