Andy Pages, the Dodgers outfielder, faced significant difficulties during the postseason last year despite a strong regular season performance. Known for his 27 home runs and improved defense in center field during his sophomore year, Pages experienced one of the worst postseasons statistically in MLB history. Early spring training results in Glendale suggest that he is working hard to address his past struggles and regain confidence at the plate.
Addressing Challenges from Last October
While Pages showed great promise during the regular season, the pressure of the playoffs impacted his performance sharply. His batting slumped throughout the postseason, culminating in the Dodgers deciding to bench him late in the World Series. Although he made a key defensive play in Game 7 by crashing into Kiké Hernández to save the game, his offensive failures were hard for fans and the team to ignore. The Dodgers, who prioritize postseason success over regular season records, found his October performance disappointing given the high expectations.
Reflecting on his past difficulties, Pages stated,
“Last year was a bad moment for me. The only thing I had in my mind at that moment was that these things happen. I just had the bad luck that it happened in the postseason.”
Early Signs of Improvement During Spring Training
This spring, Pages has focused on refining his approach at the plate, aiming to reduce unnecessary swings outside the strike zone. In nine games so far, his batting average stands at .391 with an impressive 1.139 OPS. Despite striking out six times in 23 at-bats—a 26% strikeout rate—and only having one walk, his chase rate has decreased significantly. He is now swinging at only 15.9% of pitches outside the zone, which is less than half of his 32% chase rate from the previous season. Moreover, he has been hitting 84.8% of the balls he swings at within the strike zone, indicating a more disciplined and focused batting technique.
Pages has been going back to the fundamentals, practicing with a pitching machine during spring training in drills where he calls out balls and strikes himself. This method is helping him develop a sharper eye and a more discerning approach, which he identified as a key goal heading into the season:
“more discerning eye at the plate.”
The Road Ahead for Pages and the Dodgers
Despite his inexperience in postseason at-bats, Pages remains a player with considerable power potential. Coaches and fans alike recognize his ability to deliver big hits, even if he currently struggles with strikeouts. If he can maintain his improved plate discipline and continue making adjustments, there is optimism that his offensive contributions will become more consistent throughout the year.
For the Dodgers, a team that often looks beyond regular-season stats to playoff performance, Pages’ progress will be crucial. Sustaining his early spring training success could help him overcome the anxiety and pressure that affected his previous October and transform him into a reliable postseason performer in the seasons ahead.
