Defense
The Dodgers used Pederson predominantly in center field to start his career, then moved him to left-field when they began platooning him at the plate. The 2019 season is the only one where Pederson had significant innings in right-field. His 259 innings were worth 5 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and 1.0 UZR.
He played mostly left field with the Cubs this season and found the wind in Chicago difficult to overcome. Wind won’t factor in to play in Atlanta as much as it does in Chicago; he should handle either corner role well for the Braves.
That’s a wrap
Joc Pederson is a solid addition to an Atlanta Braves lineup short of left-handed bats and power. He isn’t perfect, but he’s a very good player.
The Braves traded Ball’s limited and replaceable potential four years from now for a proven Major League player they needed now. Trade value is one of the ways a prospect helps a team.
Fans want it both ways; they demand trades but don’t want their favorite prospect traded; that’s not how it works. Teams want value for their player in some form. Not your value, or my value or the value on some website, but it’s the team’s internal value based on the information they have.
Ball falling to 29th in the Cubs system — before the newly drafted players are added — tells you what the Atlanta Braves gave up.