LA Sports Hub
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
Feb 26, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke (33) bats against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke (33) bats against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Scott Van Slyke

Entering his sixth season with the Dodgers, Van Slyke has never played more than 98 games in a single year with the club.

During his peak season in 2014, he smacked 11 home runs in 212 at-bats, padding his .910 OPS.

The last two seasons have seen a distinct decline, however. Seen with a .700 and .606 home runs reflective of his six- and one-home run seasons, respectively.

A wrist injury is cited for his sapped power, and he has since had arthroscopic surgery to improve his flexibility and hopefully regain his strength.

Van Slyke is known as a plus-defender, and has the versatility to play center field and first base, a very important factor on determining whether or not he makes the team.

I expect him to make the team, and is performing at a .261 clip thus far in the spring with zero home runs.

He will need more than a bushy beard to earn his way onto the club in 2017. But if he is healthy, there is a track record that shows he can compete and be a valuable member of the team at the big league level.

Home/Los Angeles Dodgers