Los Angeles Dodgers: Paulo Orlando is a prime breakout candidate
By Jason Reed
Every year the Los Angeles Dodgers have a breakout player that comes out of nowhere and the front office might’ve just signed 2019’s version.
The Los Angeles Dodgers may not be the team to sign a superstar to a massive deal in free agency but they are a team that often creates stars out of nothing.
Every year, the Los Angeles Dodgers have benefitted from a newly-emerged breakout player. The trend really started with Justin Turner and has included the likes of Chris Taylor and Max Muncy.
There have also been prospects that have emerged and other role players that have been much better in LA, such as Enrique Hernandez. Most of the Dodgers’ roster is compiled of players that otherwise wouldn’t have been considered impact players.
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With the trend obvious, it is fair to expect the Los Angeles Dodgers to find another breakout player in 2019. Luckily for those with expectations, it seems as if the Dodgers have found the prime candidate for that in Paulo Orlando.
The Dodgers signed the former Kansas City Royals outfielder to a minor league deal on January 4 in the midst of speculation around Bryce Harper. While it might not be the outfielder that fans had in mind, it could be someone that surprises everyone.
Orlando had one good year in Kansas City and multiple unproductive years. 2016 was Orlando’s lone good season as the outfielder hit .302 in 128 games played.
Since then, Orlando has combined for a .182 batting average in just 183 plate appearances across two seasons. It seems as if his best years, or in this case year, is behind him.
Heck, Orlando is a very strange case because even his best year was an abnormally good year that, on the surface, wouldn’t seem to be too great.
He certainly does not have the power numbers that the Dodgers are used to as he hit just five home runs in 2016. He did, however, drive in 43 RBIs but still had a lowly .734 OPS. He didn’t strikeout at too alarming of a rate but also virtually never drew walks.
Perhaps that is a nice change of pace for the Dodgers, who were the product of a “go big or go home” mentality last year. Having someone like Orlando to consistently put the ball in play, steal bases and make things happen could be exactly what the Dodgers need.
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At the end of the day, Orlando still needs to prove himself in Spring Training to even get a spot on a crowded roster. However, nobody expected Chris Taylor or Max Muncy to thrive. The same can be said for Paulo Orlando.