The Los Angeles Dodgers called up Andy Pages for his MLB debut April 16 and have given him ample opportunities to play with Jason Heyward’s lingering absence because of a lower back injury and overall need for improved production from the bottom of the lineup.
Pages was again ranked one of the top Dodgers prospects heading into the 2024 season but was not expected to reach the Majors this early. That was despite an impressive showing in Spring Training and riding that momentum into a strong beginning with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Pages collected a hit in his first career at-bat with the Dodgers but then fell into somewhat of a rut. Through his first four games, the Dodgers rookie had two hits and eight strikeouts in 14 at-bats. However, the series finale against the New York Mets has served as a proverbial turning point.
Withstanding early struggles is one of multiple reasons Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he has been impressed with Pages so far, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Very impressed with Andy,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think one of the things that we bet on (with) Andy was the head, that he wasn’t going to be overwhelmed being here. Certainly he’s not. Sure, there have been some struggles, striking out at times. He just didn’t panic.
“I think it’s something that we all believed in Andy. But you have to see it to validate it and justify it as far as at this level. But it’s not surprising, I don’t think, (to) anyone in this organization or any of us that have been around him. He just has that hit tool that I talk about. It’s not a one-piece swing. He’s a hitter first with some power behind it. I like it.”
Against the Mets on April 21, Pages had his first multi-hit game that included a double and first career home run. Two games later he went 3-for-5 with another double and home run. That marked the start of a current four-game hitting streak heading into play Sunday.
For most young players there is usually an adjustment period that is necessary when going up against Major League caliber pitching, so it was not surprising to see Pages encounter some initial struggles.
It is however, a very good sign of his mental makeup that Pages was able to shake that off and show what he is capable of. That type of production is much-needed for the Dodgers as Heyward remains out and Chris Taylor is still looking to get back on track.
Dodgers almost traded Andy Pages
There were many moments in Pages’ career that seemingly slowed down his inevitable callup to the Majors.
He was almost traded to the Los Angeles Angels and a torn labrum cut Pages’ 2023 season short. Now the 23-year-old is getting an opportunity to make an impact for a team with World Series aspirations.
More must-reads: