Jason Heyward impresses early in Dodgers camp
The Los Angeles Dodgers have garnered a reputation over the last few years for signing players coming off down years and revitalizing their careers by overhauling their swing or pitching mechanics.
In recent years, the Dodgers have helped Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney turn into Cy Young-caliber pitchers and helped future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols find his swing again. After some intense scouting and persuading by Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles is looking to repeat their success with long-time Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward.
Coming off one of his worse seasons as a major leaguer, hitting .204 with one homer in 137 at-bats with the Cubs, Heyward reworked his swing this past offseason. In years past Heyward kept his hands close to his body, but this spring he has kept his hands higher and more compact, which allows him to catch up to the ball more freely.
The 33-year-old veteran’s revamped swing impressed early in Dodgers camp. During an intrasquad scrimmage on Feb. 20, Heyward smoked a line drive home run off teammate Tony Gonsolin.
"I was expecting to make changes and expecting to start from scratch, which was nice,” Heyward said to the media. “That being said, it’s still about me as far as showing up every day, especially stepping in the box being the best version of myself."
The success of Heyward's new swing has also translated into real at-bats. On Wednesday Heyward hit a lefty-lefty home run off of former Dodger Andrew Heaney and the Texas Rangers. On Thursday he hit an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Heyward, who has played 13 years in the majors, finds himself competing for an opening-day roster spot. Manager Dave Roberts has said Heyward has put himself in a good spot to make the team.
“Intangibles of what a guy like J-Hey does, I already know the value,” Roberts said. “I’m very bullish on the swing, the player, the person and how he’s going to help our ballclub this year.”
Roberts has also said he can see Heyward platooning with newly-signed David Peralta in left field.
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