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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 Franklin Gutierrez (28) bats against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Franklin Gutierrez (28) bats against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Franklin Gutierrez

In 2003, Gutierrez was the #3-ranked prospect in the Dodgers farm system. He slugged 20 home runs for A-ball Vero Beach and cracked a .984 OPS at AA Jacksonville.

Then-Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta wanted the Indians’ Milton Bradley. So he parted ways with Gutierrez and two other prospects for the talented but voluble outfielder.

Gutierrez was diagnosed with spinal arthritis and became a part-time player with Cleveland before they shipped him to the Seattle Mariners.

https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/835595790579990528

With the Mariners, Gutierrez was healthy enough to play full-time for two seasons, winning a Gold Glove in 2010 before injuries derailed him again for the next six seasons. He played in 98 games in 2016 – the most he’d played in since that 2010 season.

The consistent thing about the right-handed Gutierrez, though, is his power. Slugging .503, .620 and .452 over the past three seasons, the Dodgers signed Gutierrez to provide a threat against left-handed pitching.

Projected to be primarily used as a pinch-hitter, the “lefty-killer” Gutierrez will provide an antidote for what stymied them most in 2016.

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