The heat is on, and it is officially summer at Chavez Ravine. While the temperature is still pleasant in LA, The Dodgers are sizzling, and their rookie outfielder is ready for his hot-boy summer. Andy Pages is finding himself in the everyday lineup and on fantasy teams, but what can we expect from him, and should the Dodgers consider trading him?
In his first 16 games, the 23-year-old Pages ignited the Dodgers’ offense, slashing an impressive .338/.357/.600 and sparking a remarkable 14-2 run for the team across April and May. His arrival was fresh air, injecting a potent blend of raw power and intelligent hitting into the Dodgers’ lineup.
Pages’ prodigious talent was evident from the outset as he showed he could drive the ball out of any part of the ballpark. His bat speed, strength, and a leveraged, lofty right-handed stroke allowed him to easily pulverize pitches, leading the way in extra-base hits during his initial years in the minors.
One must delve into his prolific minor-league numbers to fully appreciate the magnitude of Pages’ potential. A career .262/.381/.527 hitter with 94 home runs in 416 games, Pages consistently displayed an ability to punish pitching at every level.
His power was not merely a byproduct of a grip-it-and-rip-it approach; Pages garnered praise from Dodgers officials for his intelligence at the plate, ability to make adjustments and disciplined eye, and he draws his fair share of walks.
Despite the turbulence of his rookie campaign, Pages’ transition to the big leagues was remarkably smooth. He impressed players and coaching staff with his strong play during Spring Training, allowing him to make his Major League debut in center field, batting seventh against the Nationals and Patrick Corbin and getting his first hit in his first major league at-bat against Corbin.
While his fringy-to-average speed might not make him an ideal long-term solution in center, Pages’ advanced instincts and good reads allow him to play quicker than his raw tools suggest. Ultimately, he projects as a prototypical right fielder, where his double-plus power and arm strength could flourish.
With several Dodgers outfielders struggling at the plate, Pages could benefit from increased playing time. If afforded regular at-bats, the rookie slugger possesses the potential to deliver 20 home runs, a tempting prospect for a team in pursuit of its 12th consecutive playoff berth. Yet, we can’t help but wonder if trading Pages to a team rebuilding to capitalize on the Dodgers’ swelling World Series hopes.
Two teams with big-name outfielders come to mind: the Chicago White Sox reportedly shopping Luis Roberts Jr, and the Tampa Bay Rays looking to get a cheap superstar in return for Randy Arozarena.
This offseason, the Tampa- LA trades have yielded tremendous returns for the Dodgers in Ace Tyler Glasgow, who may be a Cy Young Candidate this year. A move for Arozarena could be a massive boost to the Dodgers outfield and the LA fanbase. Arozarena is already a hero in Southern California and Mexico. Factoring in his struggles this season, The Rays could be inclined to package some bullpen/closer help in return for Pages.
Pages is a top-notch prospect, but the Dodgers need to capitalize on this season and grab that championship; moving Pages to grab the last few pieces of a World Series winner may be the move.
