Los Angeles Dodgers: 2019 grades for every player

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his walk off solo homerun, for a 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, during the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

Alex Verdugo: A

Alex Verdugo had a strong rookie season that was derailed by a bad back but that shouldn’t diminish the fact that he was probably the best rookie on the Dodgers’ roster and was more valuable in his absence at the end than anyone could have anticipated.

Verdugo was given a more prominent role after Pollock went down with an injury. Verdugo hit .294, good enough for second on the team for players with at least 300 at-bats while also playing stellar defense in the outfield. Verdugo was second among outfielders with six assists and defensive runs saved with 13.

Verdugo’s absence was most felt by who took his place, especially in October.

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Without him and his .327 average and .843 OPS against left-handed pitching, Verdugo was missed against the Washington Nationals. Pollock replaced him and struggled mightly to the tune of 11 strikeouts in 13 at-bats. The absence of Verdugo showed how valuable he was.

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