Back in January when the Arizona Diamondbacks signed outfielder/DH Joc Pederson, they were looking for a lefty bat to balance a righty-heavy lineup and provide some veteran leadership for a young team. (I wrote about the move here.)
They signed him to a one-year, $9.5 million contract with a $3 million buyout on a 2025 mutual option worth $14 million. It was a reasonable deal given that Pederson had a history of hitting for power, even though he was coming off a slightly down 2023 with the San Francisco Giants.
Back in late March, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was clear that Pederson had made a seamless transition into the clubhouse, telling Bailey Leasure of Arizona Sports, “He’s fit into this clubhouse and culture more than we’d ever hoped… He’s been a student of the game and a great teacher of the game. I can’t say enough good things about Joc.”
For a D-backs team that values organizational culture, that was no small compliment.
And that was before Pederson and Lovullo were ejected in quick succession during a May 14 game after a blown third-strike call.
Joc Pederson and Torey Lovullo have both been ejected from the game after arguing this strike three call pic.twitter.com/YXk0nNZVTz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 14, 2024
Whether it’s wearing pearls in Atlanta or competing in Mike Trout’s fantasy football league, Joc Pederson does nothing by halves.
That includes his offensive contributions.
So far this season, he has already accumulated 1.2 fWAR along with a .288/.388/.511 slashline and a 158 OPS+. (His career average is 118.) Additionally, he’s hit seven home runs.
"I like homers."
– Joc Pederson pic.twitter.com/EQxETl3gNS— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 22, 2024
That’s an excellent quality in a designated hitter.
For a D-backs team that’s struggling to find its offensive groove (and survive an extended slump from Corbin Carroll), Pederson has been setting the pace. Currently, he leads the Snakes (min. 100 PA) in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS (by more than 60 points). Ketel Marte ranks second on the team with a 137 OPS+ to Pederson’s 158.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Pederson is driving the D-backs’ offense this season.
Joc Pederson had 3 hits in his 1st game against Yamamoto… today he smokes a RBI single to win the 8 pitch AB & make it 1-0 #DBacks 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ezTie2ZhxX
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) May 21, 2024
The Diamondbacks have primarily used Pederson against right-handed pitching (158 PA), and he’s earned an .873 OPS when he has the platoon advantage. Against lefties — which, to be fair, he’s done only ten times — he has a staggering 1.357 OPS.
Moreover, he’s been very good at Chase Field (.941 OPS) and almost equally productive on the road (.854 OPS).
When the D-backs platoon Pederson with righties Blaze Alexander or Randal Grichuk, or the switch-hitting Marte, they have an effective DH platoon. Pederson has been one of the best DHs in the league, and overall, Arizona’s DHs rank third in MLB with a .942 OPS.
For a struggling Arizona Diamondbacks team (29-33), Pederson has been a bright spot — and that doesn’t even include the bright yellow gear he’s wearing this season.
With the flourish. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/NsBJuk0G72
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 22, 2024
Yeah, that’ll play.
