Dodgers drop Joc Pederson from leadoff spot
Joc Pederson wipes his brow during an at bat during the ninth inning of a resumed game against the Washington Nationals on July 18.
On the day the Dodgers dropped Joc Pederson out of the leadoff spot, the rookie center fielder wanted to make one thing perfectly clear: the home-run derby did not ruin his swing and dump him into a slump.
“I think I was going through it before the All-Star break,” Pederson said.
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly restored Jimmy Rollins to the leadoff spot and dropped Pederson to seventh. Pederson struck out three times Tuesday, once failing to run to first base on a dropped third strike, and heard some boos from the Dodger Stadium crowd.
“He really seemed frustrated last night,” Mattingly said. “I didn’t want to keep seeing that.”
Pederson is batting .176 this month, with a .239 on-base percentage. In 89 plate appearances, he has one home run, four walks and 28 strikeouts. He did not object to the lineup change.
“I just show up,” he said. “Whatever Donnie thinks is the best lineup to win the game, I’m all for it.”
Mattingly said he wanted to ease the burden on Pederson.
“I want him to feel like he can just go play and not feel the pressure of being the guy at the top of the order,” Mattingly said.
Pederson is batting .228 with 21 home runs, tied with Adrian Gonzalez for the team lead. Pederson leads the National League in strikeouts.
The manager said he spoke with Pederson, emphasizing his ability to help the team in the field and on the bases even when he is not hitting.
“I really think Joc is going to be a special player,” Mattingly said. “Sometimes it takes a little time. Sometimes it takes failure.”
Follow Bill Shaikin on Twitter @BillShaikin
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