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Los Angeles Dodgers: Andrew Toles provides much needed left-handed offense

By Kevin Shacter

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 08: Los Angeles Dodgers Outfield Andrew Toles (60) gets congratulated by Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 08, 2017, during the game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 08: Los Angeles Dodgers Outfield Andrew Toles (60) gets congratulated by Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 08, 2017, during the game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Andrew Toles has just returned from the DL for the Los Angeles Dodgers and will work his way back into game shape in the minors. With Corey Seager hurt and Cody Bellinger mired in a slump, Andrew Toles has a chance to make a name for himself in LA…again.

It’s been quite the ride the last couple of years for Andrew Toles in his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s gone from being a well regarded Rays prospect to stocking frozen goods at a Georgia Kroger. Toles soon became a second-half hero of sorts for LA in 2016, only to see most of his 2017 lost to a knee injury.

After a blazing start to his 2018 Spring Training, hamstrings and various ailments have slowed Andrew’s campaign to a screeching halt. That bad hammy was supposed to keep him out for a couple of weeks, but it nearly turned into a couple of months lost. Seven weeks later, Andrew Toles is back, and he has the talent to stay for good.

Toles has the arm for right field, the speed for center field, and surprising power that allows him to hit almost anywhere in the lineup. He collected a hit in his return to Oklahoma City Tuesday and played a full game in the outfield. It’s a minimal sample size, but Toles is hitting over .400 thus far in the minors.

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In 2016, he hit .314 with a 132 OPS+ in 48 games and hit .462 in the NLCS against Chicago. The following season, he hit .271 with five homers in less than 100 at-bats before succumbing to a torn ACL.

His return would’ve greatly aided the Dodgers a couple of weeks ago when the team was scuffling, and outfielders Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig seemed headed for the minors. Now, Andrew’s path back to the bigs isn’t quite as clear, as both Puig and Pederson have recently caught fire.

Since May 12th, Puig has raised his OPS by 260 points, and Pederson has hit three homers in his last three games while sporting a solid 119 OPS +.

While Cody Bellinger did hit a blistering home run Tuesday night, he has generally been lost at the plate during the last month. If his struggles continue, he could be sent down to the minors to figure things out with Toles taking his spot in Center Field.

Max Muncy has been more than impressive with nine home runs in 110 at-bats, so first base looks to be covered for now as well. While fans should hope for the return of the swagger in Bellinger’s bat, Toles return to the Dodgers is inevitable.

He would provide the team some much-needed speed and would give Dave Roberts an interesting option to lead off against righties.

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His bat from the left has become even more necessary for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Bellinger’s struggles and Corey Seager out for the season. Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson better keep up their hot hitting, because Andrew Toles is coming soon to a Chavez Ravine near you.

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