Entering his 14th season, Jason Heyward looks to latch on with Dodgers
During the offseason, Jason Heyward knew that he needed to make major changes in order to continue playing in the majors.
After having back-to-back injury-riddled campaigns, Heyward was released by the Chicago Cubs at the end of the 2022 season.
"I'm not the one that's gonna pick up the phone," Heyward told MLB.com. "I can't hire me, I had to be real with myself about that. Someone might not pick up the phone."
The Los Angeles Dodgers made the call, signing Heyward to a minor-league deal with an invite to camp and reuniting him with former teammate Freddie Freeman. Both made their MLB debuts in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers staff and Heyward both agreed his swing needed a major overhaul, and that's just what they did. Moving his hands higher and farther away from his body has allowed him to catch up to pitches easier at this point in his career.
There were early indicators that the changes could be paying off after Heyward took Tony Gonsolin deep in live batting practice on Monday.
"You're going to see why he was a first-round pick," said Freeman about Heyward's new swing adjustments. "He wants to be so good. It's in there and I think he might have unlocked something. I'm just happy for him."
While the new swing may be a work in progress, a healthy Heyward remains one of the best defenders at his position. Thanks to his great instincts and lengthy 6'5" frame, he should have no problems patrolling the outfield in Los Angeles.
He would also provide another veteran presence as the Dodgers gear up for another run at a World Series title.
Whether with the Dodgers or not, Heyward is hoping that this spring training he can prove enough to find his way onto an Opening Day roster for the 14th straight season.
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