This weekend, Los Angeles Dodgers fans were treated to a defensive showcase by center fielder Andy Pages.
Pages, who’s made headlines so far in 2026 for his his much-improved hitting, is still the defensive stud who made a World Series-saving catch over Kike Hernandez in the 2025 World Series.
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) makes a catch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After speaking with Pages and other Dodgers following Sunday’s 10-1 romp over the Los Angeles Angels, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic detailed how he became one of the sport’s top performers both in center field and at the plate.
“If you look at center fielders in the big leagues, both sides of the ball, he’s got to be top three or four,” manager Dave Roberts told Ardaya.
Why is Andy Pages so good defensively?
Baseball Savant details Pages’ best defensive quality as his arm strength, which has remained in the top 5% of the majors for all three of his seasons.
He’s continued to improve elsewhere defensively though, as his Arm Value increased from the 59th percentile in 2024 to 90th in 2025 and 97th in 2026.
His outs above average also steadily increased from the 73rd percentile in 2024 to 97th percentile in 2025 and 98th this season.
In the fourth inning on Saturday, he showed those elite skills off, saving a run by snagging a well-hit ball by Nolan Schanuel.
He did it again on Sunday, also on what appeared to be a hit for Shanuel.
Pages told Ardaya that it was a matter of attitude.
“If I have the chance to get to the ball, I’ll get it,” Pages said. “That’s my mentality. If I have to fall or dive, if I have the smallest chance to catch the ball, my mentality is to catch it.”
Roberts seconded that notion.
“He takes real pride in it,” Roberts said. “That’s something that a lot of young players just don’t get there. They get there later. They care about their hitting more. But Andy values the defense.”
Andy Pages is a great hitter now, too
As previously mentioned, though, Pages hasn’t neglected the hitting this season.
He’s slashing .301/.353/.520/.873 with 10 home runs and an MLB-leading 41 RBIs through Monday.
It’s no wonder, then, that he’s a contender to get his first career All-Star spot.
Do you think Andy Pages will find himself in the Midsummer Classic in 2026?
