Dodgers: Jason Heyward Shows Swing Changes are Already Paying Off

The veteran outfielder is trying to earn a spot on the opening day roster with the Dodgers.

When the Dodgers signed Jason Heyward in December, it came with equal parts raised eyebrows and excitement for fans. The veteran outfielder hasn't been good at baseball for years -- at least hitting the baseball. There are less harsh ways of saying that, but it's a reality.

Over the last seven seasons, Heyward has put together only one above average campaign by wRC+ (anything above 100 is above average) and that was in the shortened 2020 season. He also has two right at 100 wRC+ and four seasons well below.

But the Dodgers have a way of fixing things.

A few weeks before the start of spring training, former Atlanta teammate and long-time friend Freddie Freeman shared some swing changes in the works with Heyward. On Monday at Camelback Ranch in Arizona, we saw those changes for the first time. And they looked good.

Heyward hit a line drive homer off 2022 All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin and drew rave reviews from those in attendance.

Here's a look at that shot from two angles.

No worries, Juan. I got you. https://t.co/Nu4O6je6dg pic.twitter.com/lYQfbUJgqE

— John Hartung (@LAJohnHartung) February 20, 2023

We see you, Jason. 👀 pic.twitter.com/w6F28BMlY2

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 20, 2023

As MLB.com's Juan Toribio pointed out, Heyward's hands look more loaded in his setup at the plate compared to last season and in seasons past where his hands were much closer to his body.

The photos might not show it that much, but there’s a pretty big change in Jason Heyward’s stance pic.twitter.com/6qLjFXQnB2

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 20, 2023

The Dodgers tried this approach in the past with Cody Bellinger amid continued struggles in 2021 and he found huge success that postseason before reverting to his "more comfortable" stance in 2022 which resulted in another bad season.

Of course, Heyward's homer comes in BP early in spring training, not even in a game, so expectations should be tempered. Still, if he shows any signs of life, chances are high that the club opts to have his veteran presence on the roster, at least to start the season.

Over the weekend, Dave Roberts talked about what Heyward brings to the team and locker room and it sounds like only a bad spring showing will keep the outfielder off the roster.

“Intangibles of what a guy like J-Hey does, I already know the value. I’m very bullish on the swing, the player, the person and how he’s going to help our ballclub this year.”

The Cactus League season kicks off this Saturday against the Brewers and fans can expect to see a lot of Jason Heyward in the lineup over the next month-plus heading toward opening day.