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Dodgers Roster Preview 2017: The Outfield

By Evan Lovett

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) and right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) before playing against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) and right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) before playing against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (16) hits a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (16) hits a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier’s Dodgers resume is sparkling. He is amongst the all-time Dodgers leaders in hits, RBI, doubles, home runs – and has a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger to his name. There was 2009, when Ethier was a walk-off master. Leading the club to dramatic victories often enough to earn the sobriquet of Captain Clutch.

And there’s the fact that this is Ethier’s 12th year in Dodger Blue.

Yet this year is as uncertain as Ethier has ever been about his role. Injuries limit the otherwise-reliable left fielder to 16 games in 2016. The team became younger and more versatile over those six months.

Though he batted .294 with an .852 OPS in 2015, he never really found a role on the ’16 club, even if he did sneak onto the playoff roster.

It is exactly that experience, his poise, and composure that will force Roberts to give him a long look for the starting job in left for 2017. With a .285 career batting average to go with an .852 OPS, Ethier is a responsible hitter that can be counted on for a good approach.

He is not as swift as he once was in the field. But he’s an intelligent player that gets good reads and understands positioning, anticipation, and reading hitters.

In short, Ethier is an asset that, along with Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez, will provide veteran leadership to the youth-infused roster.

He understands the National League and is a proven commodity. Slugging 1.465 so far in limited action during the spring, and Dodgers fans would love to see him in the lineup come Opening Day.

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