Usually, at least an hour before the Dodgers conduct batting practice, Joc Pederson starts in the outfield.
Pederson is not there for fielding, but to work on his swing through a game of pepper, a once-common pregame warmup exercise throughout the major leagues now far more common to find in backyards and on little league fields.
It is a simple, rapid-fire drill. A hitter chops soft ground balls to a handful of fielders about 20 feet apart. One of them tosses the ball back to him. It’s hit, and the game continues.
The Dodgers’ 24-year-old center fielder typically takes part in pepper with manager Dave Roberts, first base coach George Lombard, third base coach Chris Woodward and Juan Castro, a quality assurance coach.