It wasn't in a glass elevator, but nevertheless Joc Pederson has gone "up and out" when it comes to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. After a 2-for-3 performance with a double and home run against the Giants on Monday, Pederson went from eighth to leadoff for the finale on Wednesday.
The move makes sense as the Dodgers rookie centerfielder is third in the big leagues in on base percentage (.458) and tops on the team in walks (16). However, what is surprising is that LA's front office may have been plotting this move since spring training.
"The eight spot was designed to allow him to not feel any offensive pressure and be able to play and do his thing," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly of Pederson. "We figured that we would put him there (leadoff) after a month."
Pederson hit in the leadoff spot in most of his 121 games in Triple-A Albuquerque last year with a .303 batting average, a .435 on base percentage with 100 walks and 30 stolen bases. In 18 starts in the majors in 2015, he has only batted in the seventh or eighth spot — until today.
The climb up the lineup ladder for Pederson means that shortstop Jimmy Rollins who is a perennial leadoff hitter moves into the two-hole. Rollins has only made 357 career starts batting second but change could be good for the former Phillies All-Star as he is hitting just .182 to start the season.
Pederson's promotion could be permanent depending on how he handles the situation in the rubber match with the rival Giants on Wednesday. If he continues to perform up to par as he did in the back of the lineup, Los Angeles could have a new table setter this summer.
