Dodgers News: Mets Broadcaster Keith Hernandez Criticizes Joc Pederson
Taken in the 11th round of the 2010 Draft, Joc Pederson has faced high expectations for much of his young career. When the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to call up an outfielder in June of 2013, many were surprised Pederson was passed over in favor or Yasiel Puig, his Double-A teammate.
Pederson advanced to Triple-A last season, needing to wait for his opportunity in the crowded Dodgers outfield. He was among the September call-ups when active rosters expanded, and took hold of the starting job in center field during Spring Training.
While Pederson has provided Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, which the Dodgers haven’t had in years, his performance at the plate has been a mixture of success and frustration. Pederson’s work ethic certainly is not in question, but New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez took issue with the rookie’s batting practice session, via ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Strong words from Keith Hernandez about Joc Pederson's pre-game preparation of mashing fly balls: "Worthless batting practice."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 25, 2015
Hernandez’s comments came during Friday’s game between the Dodgers and Mets, and he went on to add Pederson is a “five o’clock hitter.” It’s been customary for a handful of Dodgers to engage in a friendly home run derby-type of competition during batting practice this season, which is what Hernandez presumably witnessed and led to his criticism.
Pederson finished 1-for-5 Friday night with an RBI double. He’s batting .228/.356/.461 on the season and is tied for second-most in the Majors with 117 strikeouts heading into play Saturday. However, he’s also drawn 59 walks, which leads the Dodgers, and he tops all rookies with 20 home runs; his 42 RBIs are tied for second among rookies.
Suffice to say Pederson compares favorably to a Mets roster, albeit decimated by injury, that’s struggled in nearly every aspect at the plate.
[divide]Joc Pederson On Home Run Derby
consistency is the key, you dont win the pennant by batting practice homers….
Mets wish they had a player like Joc.
Let me remind you he’s hitting .228 and is leading the league in strike outs. Batting practice is to work on a few things. Keith was right, it was worthless batting practice. All he was doing was wasting his energy.
They have players better than Joc, except they all are pitchers.
Joc can’t hit major league pitching. He won’t hit 5 home runs in the “second half.”
1 down 4 to go….
Calm down and have another cigarette Keith
He is a rookie. He swings too hard, Does not change his approach with a 2 strike count, cannot seem to hit the ball to left, constantly lunges at the ball and fly’s open and does not seem to understand that with men on base he should stop trying to hit it out and put it in play to help the team. But he is a rookie. We can hope and pray that after his first year they send him to Winter Ball and tell him to hit EVERYTHING to LEFT. He is a great defender and from reports has a great attitude. He is a keeper and I am glad we have him. Keith was a great player but even then tended to be a bit moody.
He is a Rookie and pray he develops his skills with coaching, dedication, and hard work. Don’t be so quick to judge & write him off as a player.
Keith,just grow old gracefully!!
He will continue to improve his game. If he was dogging it during batting practice, i’m sure one of the coaches would have sat him down. Cut him some slack.
Keith was hardly very critical of Pederson. He said it was impressive to watch him clock deep home runs in batting practice but he thought the kid would be better off practicing hitting some line drives and working on situational hitting.
Keith is the greatest 1st baseman to ever play the game. He has spent lots of decades in baseball and I’m sure he knows what he is talking about. Joc Pederson is a 5’0 clock hitter and that’s fact, deal with it.