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Joc Pederson 2019 Outlook: Underrated Hitter with Elite Power Upside
As the Dodger outfield shuffle continues Joc Pederson seems to be the odd man out, but do not let that scare owners away from an above-average hit tool with plus power. 2018 served as a rebound year with a .248 batting average, up from .199 the campaign prior. On the power front, the 25-homer production nearly doubled a 13 homer mark from 2017, showing an overall increase from a seemingly off year. An exit velocity of 91.1 MPH paired with a 40.1% hard-contact rate demonstrates the type of contact that Pederson owners can expect when rostering the outfielder. What sets the slugger apart is the walk rate, with a career low at nine percent, showing above-average plate skills to pair with the offensive production. Owners can settle for the .321 OBP line if he can continue to push 25 homers a year. Pederson fits best with daily roster moves as he has still failed to demonstrate any batting aptitude versus lefties, but even that should not discount the .893 OPS versus righties. Hope for a move to guarantee playing time, but roster him in Los Angeles either way as Pederson is criminally underrated this season with an ADP of 306 since the start of 2019.
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