Andy Pages of the Dodgers Impresses with Hot Start at the Plate: A Manager’s Praise
Dodgers’ Andy Pages Shines as NL Player of the Week Amid Team’s Slow Start
TORONTO — In a surprising turn, Andy Pages, an unheralded performer, has emerged as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ standout hitter during the early stages of the season. Despite being overshadowed by more recognizable names, he has played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
Pages demonstrated his offensive prowess in the Dodgers’ recent sweep against the Nationals, stepping up in a lineup featuring several backups. He was even recognized as the National League Player of the Week on Monday, a title that reflects his significant contributions.
“I don’t want to talk about it, let’s just keep it going,” remarked first baseman Freddie Freeman, expressing optimism about Pages’ impressive performance. “But it’s been an incredible start that you can only dream of."
Through the first nine games of the season, Pages has made a strong impression. He is tied for the most hits in Major League Baseball with 16, alongside the Marlins’ Xavier Edwards. He also leads the Dodgers in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 0.9 and boasts an OPS of 1.294.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has shown confidence in Pages, though he prefers to maintain cautious optimism. “Not yet,” Roberts said regarding acknowledging his early success. “More of a sample, then I will. I really like his work. I trust his head. He’s very mature. He’s matured a lot over the last couple of years. He’s hungry. I just felt that he was due to take another step forward.”
Despite the excitement surrounding Pages, Roberts is mindful of early-season overreactions. Pages attributes his success to improved plate discipline, emphasizing the importance of selective swings. “They always told me that when you’re taking a lot of swings and you’re swinging at really bad pitches, outside the zone, it’s really hard to make impact on balls in the zone,” he explained through an interpreter.
During spring training, Pages dedicated considerable time to honing his batting skills, utilizing specialized pitching machines to refine his strike zone awareness. His efforts have yielded tangible results; he has reduced his chase rate from 33.2% last season to 27.6% this year.
The recent injury to star player Mookie Betts raises the question of whether Pages will move up in the batting order to strengthen the lineup. When asked about the prospect of Pages batting third, Roberts confirmed his confidence in the player. “Absolutely,” he said.
However, the manager also considers how shifting Pages could impact the overall batting structure. “There’s a tax on a starting pitcher to go 1 through 6 to then get to the seventh or eighth hitter—which, to his credit, he has taken advantage of,” Roberts noted.
As the Dodgers prepare for their series against the Blue Jays, Pages is anticipated to continue his role in the lineup as the team navigates the early-season challenges while keeping an eye on sustaining his success.
