Dodgers Roster Preview 2017: The Outfield

Yasiel Puig

The “Wild Horse” was a phenom that brought back ghosts ofMannywoodandFernandomania.

When Puig’s career started, here are theplayersthat accrued the numbers he did through 500 plate appearances:Frank Thomas.

That’s it.

And Thomas was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014. Puig batted .306 and had an OPS of .890 after two seasons. The Dodgers considered him a franchise player. Along with Clayton Kershaw, Puig was their future.

Then came a woeful 2015 season and a chaotic 2016 season. Culminating in thedemotionto AAA Oklahoma City. The “strangecareer arc” had many fans, media members and teammates to give credence to the thought that he’d never again be inside the home dugout at Chavez Ravine.

But then something happened in AAA.

Maturity, a realized passion for the game, a changed approach.

When Roberts found a spark in unheralded Andrew Toles, Puig accepted his role as right-handed pinch hitter and sometimes-starter. This led to hoisting his highest average of the season in September, and becoming, by all means agreatteammate.

This off-season, he focused on gettingbackin shape and reported to Spring Training lighter and quicker than he’d been with the Dodgers.

Roberts is giving him every chance to earn the starting job but is making no promises. Puig has respondedthusfar in spring with a 1.085 OPS, gaudy enough numbers to be in the MVP conversation, were he to sustain it for a full season.

But he is taking it one game at a time, and with the depth Roberts has in this year’s outfield, the only commitment is that the best players are going to play.

Puig’s talent is undeniable, but he needs to perform to stay in the lineup.

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