The Book on Andy LaRoche
Prospect Info
Andy LaRoche
Born 8/13/1983
3B, LAD
The Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year for 2005, LaRoche has done nothing in the two years since except hit, hit and hit. This still lesser-known LaRoche did half-time between AA and AAA last year, and he hit well at each level, breaking .300 each time while knocking 19 homers in 400 at-bats. While his disappointing audition with the 2007 Dodgers (he hit only .220) will scare away some people, scouts universally see him as a future stud in the mold of Ryan Braun.
LaRoche should compete for a starting job with LA during Spring Training. If he starts hot, he'll be locked into the lineup for the next ten years.
Player Updates and Notes
Andy LaRoche has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of complicated three-way transaction that brings Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles. This is great news for LaRoche, who might finally get the chance to do what he's needed all year: play every day.
7/31/2008 by KDaddy
In his first MLB game of the year last night, Andy LaRoche started at first base and homered for the Dodgers. It's likely the first of many home runs for the young masher, who should start against all lefthanders for now, while he works to earn back the full-time job that was his to lose before he broke his hand in Spring Training.
6/12/2008 by KDaddy
The Dodgers finally called Andy LaRoche up to the big-league club today. He's expected to see only platoon duty until Blake DeWitt cools off. LaRoche is the better prospect by far, though, so he should still take over the everyday job sooner or later.
6/10/2008 by BallGrrrl
LaRoche's hand surgery went 'very well' according to Dodger staff, and he's on track to return in early May. He'll probably start in AAA to give him regular work while he recovers. His injury changed his status from one of baseball's best hitting prospects for 2008 to a great midseason sleeper.
3/15/2008 by KDaddy
Well, that's one way to end a spring position battle. Andy LaRoche will miss six to eight weeks recovering from surgery on his throwing hand. His thumb was struck by a thrown ball in Friday's exhibition game. Nomar Garciaparra, himself recovering from a hand injury suffered when he was hit by a pitch in the same game, will only miss a week. LaRoche remains one of the very best hitting prospects, but any hope of an Opening Day roster spot is now history. It's Nomar's job until he's hurt again.
3/8/2008 by KDaddy
While there will be a nominal "competition" for the starting 3B job in Spring Training, Dodgers manager Ned Colletti has all but said that LaRoche will be L.A.'s man going forward. "He's almost going to have to not make the club," said Colletti. "It's a pretty good spot to be in."
1/19/2008 by KDaddy
LaRoche appears blocked in the majors once again. Unless the Dodgers shake up their roster before spring, he looks to be down on the depth chart at 3B, OF and even 1B.
11/19/2007 by BallGrrrl
LaRoche was named the Topps PCL Player of the Month for August.
7/31/2007 by BallGrrrl
After failing to with the third base job in LA, LaRoche will begin the season with the Las Vegas 51's, where he is also expected to be tried in the outfield, as the Dodgers work to find a way to get his bat into the lineup.
Sadly, LA's outfield is also a little crowded. LaRoche is unlikely to see much action with the big club unless and until Wilson Betemit falls apart completely or Nomar Garciaparra takes a sharp downward turn. Even then, there's no guarantee that LaRoche's glove won't doom him to future-DH status with an AL club the minute that LA needs a different piece for their roster.
3/28/2007 by Kikenkyuu
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