Los Angeles Dodgers: Five prospects that could be this year’s Cody Bellinger

Alex Verdugo – CF

(MiLB Career) AVG: .305 G: 421 H: 492 OBP: .362 HR: 31

Like Buehler, Alex Verdugo has played under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium. After getting called up, Verdugo had a slow start. Then again, one September does not define a career, it doesn’t even define a player’s rookie season.

Verdugo has the chance to be on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster this Spring. He has a better chance at earning a spot should Matt Kemp get traded, which may or may not happen before March 29th.

Verdugo is one of the two players, along with Buehler, who are most likely to be called upon should anyone get injured. If he doesn’t make the roster right out of Spring Training, he’ll be ready and will be standing in the wings.

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As of now, I predict the Dodgers’ Opening Day outfield to be Yasiel Puig (RF), Joc Pederson (CF), and Kiké Hernandez (LF). Chris Taylor is also an option for center field.

Of all the potentially-great things that Verdugo will do in the majors this year, one stat stands out above the rest; RBI’s. Of his 62 RBIs last year in Triple-A, 55 of them were with men in scoring position.

That means, essentially, he’ll help the Dodgers overcome their troubles of leaving men on base.

I highly doubt that Bellinger will be moved out of the clean-up spot in 2018. His success there in 2017 is undeniable, and as they say, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. However, Verdugo has the potential to thrive in the sixth or seventh spot in the order.

By doing this, the Dodgers are setting themselves up to have a player who hit 27 doubles in 2017, clearing the bases.

Spring Training will be incredibly important for Verdugo. If all goes well, he could be the first pinch-hitter out of the dugout on Opening Day.