The Emergence of Andy Pages: A Star in the Making

Sunday’s win didn’t just mark another victory in the standings — it potentially marked a turning point in the career of Andy Pages, the 24-year-old Cuban outfielder whose recent promotion to the big leagues is paying early dividends. With four hits, four RBIs, and a home run against the Pirates, Pages turned in one of the best individual performances of the 2025 season thus far.

The performance was eye-popping not just because of the numbers but because of the context. The Dodgers were without their ace, Tyler Glasnow, after just one inning. Their bullpen would be asked to cover eight full innings, and the offense needed to respond after going down early. Pages delivered in every sense — providing a spark, driving in key runs, and cementing himself as a critical part of the Dodgers’ offensive machinery.

“I just want to contribute,” Pages said after the game. “I know what this team can do, and I want to be a part of it. The fans, my teammates, the coaching staff — they’ve all made me feel confident and focused.”

Born in Havana, Cuba, Pages defected at age 17 to pursue a dream of playing Major League Baseball. The Dodgers signed him in 2017 as part of their international scouting push, recognizing his raw power and strong arm as a right fielder. After spending years developing through the minors, Pages broke out with the Great Lakes Loons and then the Tulsa Drillers, showing off his bat speed, plate discipline, and defensive range.

Injuries and COVID-related delays slowed his ascent, but he remained a fixture on top prospect lists — often noted for his towering home runs and advanced approach. Coming into 2025, he was widely viewed as a potential X-factor, especially with questions about outfield depth after the departure of players like Jason Heyward and uncertainty around James Outman’s form.

With this performance, Pages isn’t just surviving at the major league level — he’s thriving.

1st Inning: The game got off to a rocky start for the Dodgers. Glasnow, who has been brilliant in 2025, gave up solo home runs to Andrew McCutchen and Enmanuel Valdez. After just 27 pitches, he left the game due to shoulder discomfort — an ominous sign considering his previous injury history.

But the Dodgers’ offense immediately responded. Mookie Betts reached on an infield hit, Shohei Ohtani walked, and Freddie Freeman lined a two-run single to center to tie it. Pages followed with a sharp RBI single, and a Pirates fielding error tacked on a fourth run.

2nd–4th Inning: Ben Casparius took over for Glasnow and pitched three-and-two-thirds innings of scoreless ball. He struck out five, used his changeup effectively, and minimized hard contact — exactly what the Dodgers needed. Meanwhile, the offense added a sacrifice fly by Betts in the second to stretch the lead.

5th Inning: The Dodgers continued to pile on. Teoscar Hernández crushed a solo home run to left field — the 200th of his career — and Pages followed shortly after with a towering two-run homer that brought the fans to their feet.

It was a no-doubt shot off Pirates reliever Kyle Nicolas, carrying 414 feet into the left-field pavilion. Pages jogged the bases with calm confidence, as if to say: this is only the beginning.

6th Inning: Pages again stepped up with an RBI single to make it 9–2, completing his four-hit, four-RBI day and punctuating the series with authority.

Following Casparius, the Dodgers turned to Yoendrys Gomez, who made his MLB debut with three scoreless innings. His poise and command impressed, and he earned a save — an unexpected but welcome development for a bullpen that had to scramble.

“It was a team win,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “We asked a lot of our bullpen today, and they were lights out. Andy’s been phenomenal. For him to give us this kind of production at this point in his career, it’s just a huge boost.”

While Pages was the headline, Teoscar Hernández reaching the 200-home run club deserves recognition. The 31-year-old veteran has provided consistent power this season and serves as a crucial presence in the middle of the lineup. His milestone homer placed him in an exclusive group of active players and underscored the depth of the Dodgers’ offense.

The Dodgers have a rich history of homegrown talent: Betts (via trade), Freeman (via free agency), but also players like Will Smith, Gavin Lux, and Bobby Miller, who rose through the ranks. Pages, with his combination of power, contact ability, and solid defense, is now writing the next chapter in that tradition.

His immediate success raises interesting questions for the Dodgers’ front office. With James Outman struggling and Jason Heyward still working back from injury, Pages could claim a permanent role. If he keeps hitting like this, he may be impossible to take out of the lineup.

• Games Played: 10
• Batting Average: .417
• OPS: .861 (up from .529 just 10 days ago)
• RBIs: 8
• Home Runs: 2
• Total Bases: 22

These numbers, though from a small sample, suggest a player figuring out major league pitching fast.

The win brought the Dodgers to 19–10, tying them with the rival San Francisco Giants atop the NL West. With Glasnow’s health now uncertain, Dustin May’s upcoming start against the Marlins takes on greater importance. The Dodgers have depth in the rotation, but losing their ace would be a blow.

Offensively, the team continues to roll. With Betts, Ohtani, Freeman, Hernández, and now Pages firing on all cylinders, the lineup can produce runs in bunches.

For the Pirates, the series sweep in L.A. is a setback but not entirely unexpected. With a young core still learning on the fly and injuries piling up, consistency has been hard to find. Ke’Bryan Hayes’ defensive lapse in the first inning summed up a frustrating day.

Still, players like Valdez and McCutchen showed fight, and the Pirates will look to reset at home against the Cubs.

Dave Roberts:
“Andy was electric. The energy, the contact, the maturity — it’s impressive. He’s making the most of this opportunity.”

Andy Pages:
“Every day I’m trying to learn. Every at-bat is a chance. I’m grateful to be here, and I know there’s a lot more to do.”

Teoscar Hernández:
“Two hundred is special. I’ve worked a long time to reach this point, but I’m not done. We’ve got big goals this year.”

On social media, Dodgers fans were quick to praise Pages’ performance. Comparisons to former breakout stars like Yasiel Puig and Cody Bellinger were thrown around, and many urged Roberts to make Pages a fixture in the lineup.

Local media, too, is starting to buy in. The LA Times called his performance “a revelation,” and MLB Network featured Pages in their “Rookie Watch” segment.

While it’s too early to anoint Andy Pages as the next Dodgers superstar, performances like Sunday’s can define careers. His power, poise, and production have elevated him from a promising prospect to a serious contributor on one of baseball’s best teams.

If he continues this trajectory, the Dodgers may have found their next cornerstone — and Pages may be writing the first chapter of a long, successful major league story.