NEW YORK — A National League scout recently predicted that Padres rookie left fielder Alex Dickerson, if given a full season in 2017, will hit 25-plus home runs.
"The swing is real," the scout said.
While bold, the forecast is shared by more than one talent evaluator. Dickerson, who'd hit at every level of the minors, entered this week batting .289 with eight doubles and seven home runs in 121 at-bats for the Padres. Against southpaw pitchers, the left-handed hitter was 6-for-19, and Dickerson was in the cleanup slot Sunday afternoon, with the New York Mets' Steven Matz on the mound.