Dodgers Rookie Sensaton Making a Name for Himself
The Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling in the cellar of the National League West with a 34-42 record overall, eight games behind the front running Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers have won four straight, but had won only 3 of 8 prior to that.
There are good things on the horizon for the Dodgers, as they have a strong pitching staff and a group of hitters who when not injured are some of the best in the league.
However, the brightest spot on the roster goes to a rookie from Cuba by the name of Yasiel Puig. What this youngster is doing on the field has opened the eyes of many.
Journalists are comparing Puig’s start in the majors to that of Stan Musial with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 22-year old has been nothing short of spectacular in his first 20 games in the majors.
On Monday night, Los Angeles defeated San Francisco 3-1. Puig playing right field had three hits on the night including a home run (his seventh) and two RBIs. That lifted his numbers to a .442 batting average, 34 hits, including 10 for extra bases, 7 home runs and 14 RBIs.
The seven home runs by Puig through 20 games tie him with 14 players for the sixth most. George Scott and Alvin Davis each had 9 after 20 games. Tied with Puig at 6 is teammate Matt Kemp.
The 10 hits for extra bases Puig has ties him with Tony Abreu and Ed Stevens for fourth most for a player in the Dodger organization.
However, his 34 total hits after 20 games are the most any Dodgers player has hit over that span.
The 34 tie Terry Pendleton, Danny Lifwhiler and Mark Lewis for the fourth most ever. Tom Oliver and Joe DiMaggio lead that category with 37 hits overall and Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett hit 35.
The 12 games Puig has had more than one hit ties him with Oliver, DiMaggio and Roy Weatherly for the second highest total. Leading that department is Mark Lewis with 13 multi-hit games in his first 20 games played.
Puig has 14 RBIs after his first 20 games and is tied with Russell Martin and Ed Stevens for the ninth most of any players with the Dodgers. Leading that stat with 20 is George Shuba.
Whether Puig can keep this pace up or can even play long term in the majors is yet to be seen but he has given the poor hitting Dodgers a spark that they need heading towards the All Star break and the long hot days of summer following the annual classic.
