The Los Angeles Dodgers appear well set up in RF for 2010
27-year old lefty swinging Andre’ Ethier stepped up big time for the Dodgers last season especially in the power numbers. Ethier played in 160 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 162 of 596 (.272 avg, .869 OPS) with 92 runs scored, 31 homers, 106 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Ethier has a .291 career average but he changed his batting style last season to try to hit more homers so it will be interesting to see if he goes for the power or the average route in 2010. Ethier does need to improve his defense in 2010. Ethier made 7 errors in 158 games in RF for the Dodgers while showing below average range. Ethier had 6 assists in RF last season so his arm is so-so.
39-year old lefty swinging Brian Giles will battle for a backup job in the outfield this spring. Giles played in 61 games for the Padres last season and he was 43 of 225 (.191 avg, .548 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 2 homers and 23 RBIs. Giles is just one year removed from hitting .306 with a .854 OPS in 147 games for the Padres in 2008. If his knee is healthy he will have a good shot to win a bench job with the Dodgers this spring. Giles didn’t make any errors in 58 games in RF for the Padres last season while showing above average range. Giles still has a good throwing arm as he had 6 assists in only 58 games in RF last season.
33-year old righty swinging Reed Johnson played in 7 error-free games for the Cubs in RF last season but he showed poor range. Johnson also doesn’t have the arm to play much in RF for the Dodgers.
29-year old righty swinging Jason Repko will also try to make the team this spring. Repko played in 10 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 0 for 5 (.000 avg, .143 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. He also played in 110 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 109 of 393 (.277 avg, .800 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 16 homers, 47 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Repko played in 3 error-free games in RF for the Dodgers last season while showing poor range.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RF IN 2010: B