In April, sophomore Andy Pages was struggling and searching. But learning how to separate two parts of his game helped him to achieve great heights in both. Now he is talked about as a potential All-Star.
April was a difficult month for Andy Pages. A sophomore in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ system, the talented outfielder found himself in a battle that many players face: the internal struggle to reconcile two very different aspects of his game. On one hand, he was a hitter with immense power, capable of leaving a ballpark with a single swing. On the other hand, he was a fielder with a unique combination of speed and instinct, one who could make acrobatic catches and play with a defensive flair. But in those first few weeks of the season, it seemed as though Pages was unable to bring the best out of both sides of his game at the same time.
In April, his bat was inconsistent, and his defense, while still solid, wasn’t the gold glove-caliber play many had expected. He felt the pressure. The weight of expectations can be heavy, especially when you know you possess the tools to be a star but can’t seem to put it all together. Struggling with the mental toll of wanting to perform at the highest level and trying to manage two critical facets of the game, Pages found himself at a crossroads.
As the month of April passed, the question surrounding Pages wasn’t whether he had the potential to be an MLB star—it was whether he could separate the mental components of his hitting and fielding, and allow each aspect of his game to exist in harmony without the pressure of overlapping them. As the old adage goes, baseball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. If Pages could figure out how to manage both parts of his game and stop allowing one to affect the other, he might just fulfill the sky-high potential that scouts and coaches had seen in him for years.
The breakthrough came not through a sudden change in mechanics or a shift in how he played the game, but through a mental transformation. The coaching staff, understanding the delicate nature of Pages’ psyche and the pressures of a sophomore season, helped him develop a method for compartmentalizing his approach. This was an important moment in Pages’ development. Instead of trying to bring his best bat and his best glove to every situation simultaneously, he learned how to focus on one aspect of his game at a time—whether it was his hitting, his fielding, or simply the mental state he needed to get into to execute the best he could in each moment.
It sounds simple on paper: separate the mental aspects of hitting and fielding. But for a player who has always been known for his versatility and well-rounded skills, this mental shift was a revelation. It allowed Pages to thrive. Once he allowed himself the space to breathe and not worry about the “big picture,” things began to click for him on the field. His batting started to heat up as he realized he didn’t have to make every plate appearance a potential game-changing moment. His fielding, too, regained its sharpness, with Pages taking the pressure off himself to be flawless every inning. Instead, he took a more measured approach, focusing on the immediate task at hand—whether it was tracking down a fly ball or stepping into the batter’s box.
May and June marked the real turning point. Pages’ numbers, which had been underwhelming in April, began to skyrocket. His batting average climbed, his power numbers exploded, and he demonstrated the kind of defensive prowess that reminded everyone why he was regarded as one of the top prospects in the system. By the time the All-Star conversation started gaining traction, Pages had become a legitimate candidate, transforming from a player with potential to an everyday contributor whose name was becoming synonymous with excitement.
What Pages was able to do over those months wasn’t just a physical change; it was the refinement of his mental game, the ability to separate the pressure of two demanding roles and focus on executing in the moment. It was a skill that many players struggle to master, especially young players like Pages who are still learning the ropes at the major league level. What Pages had accomplished wasn’t just a matter of overcoming a slump; it was about evolving into a more complete player by recognizing the importance of mental clarity. This shift not only helped him improve his own game but also elevated his status within the organization.
But the adjustment didn’t come easily. After all, Andy Pages wasn’t just any prospect; he was a prospect whose game was expected to take the next step into stardom. Drafted by the Dodgers as an international free agent, Pages had always been known for his raw talent. He possessed elite power, a rocket arm, and a natural instinct for the game. Yet, like many young players, he faced a hurdle when it came to consistently translating that raw talent into performance under pressure. The mental side of the game had often been his biggest challenge.
Pages had long been known for his raw, untapped potential. Scouts marveled at his bat speed, his ability to generate power to all fields, and his advanced approach at the plate despite being young. His speed on the bases, combined with his ability to track down balls in the outfield, gave him the reputation as one of the best overall athletes in the Dodgers’ system. But talent alone was never going to be enough for Pages to fully realize his potential. The mental side of the game—something that so many players often struggle with—was going to be the key to his success. And the time to make that mental adjustment was now.
As Pages worked through the mental and emotional challenges of the season, his approach to both sides of his game changed. He realized that his hitting didn’t have to dictate the quality of his defense and vice versa. When one part of his game wasn’t clicking, he learned how to stay confident in the other. When his bat wasn’t as hot, he would put more emphasis on his defense, knowing that if he could make big plays in the field, it would only be a matter of time before his bat followed. If his defense was shaky, he would refocus, knowing that he was capable of making the right adjustments to come through in the clutch moments at the plate. It was a dual approach that allowed him to rise above the pressures of his sophomore season.
By June, Pages’ offensive numbers were among the best in the league for his position. He had learned to stay within himself at the plate, drawing walks and reducing the swing-and-miss that had plagued his early career. His power numbers surged as he began hitting for both average and power. It was the perfect storm for the Dodgers, who had been anxiously waiting for their young outfielder to develop into the player they believed he could be.
His defense, too, began to shine as he started making more routine plays with confidence. His speed in the outfield became even more of a weapon, and he quickly became known for his ability to make highlight-reel catches. Pages had found the balance. He wasn’t just the all-around prospect the Dodgers had drafted, but now he was beginning to play like a seasoned big-leaguer. His fielding and hitting were no longer disparate components of his game; they were integrated parts of a whole, as he demonstrated his ability to contribute in all areas. The conversation surrounding Pages shifted. Instead of talking about his potential, people started discussing the possibility of him being an All-Star.
The All-Star talk wasn’t just based on his physical attributes or raw numbers; it was about his transformation into a well-rounded player capable of handling the rigors of a full MLB season. Pages was playing with the kind of poise and confidence that is typically reserved for veterans. It wasn’t just that he was playing at a high level; it was that he was playing the game with maturity, understanding when to push, when to pull back, and when to focus on the task at hand.
As July approached, Pages was entrenched in the Dodgers’ lineup, and his name was being floated as a potential All-Star. The accolades continued to pile up as he started to make a name for himself as one of the best young players in the game. His performance was a testament to the growth he had undergone, both physically and mentally. It was a story of perseverance, of understanding that talent alone wouldn’t take him to the next level. It required patience, discipline, and a mental shift that allowed him to focus on the aspects of the game that mattered most.
By the end of the season, Andy Pages had cemented his place as one of the brightest young stars in the MLB. His story was a testament to the power of mental fortitude and the importance of separating different aspects of one’s game to reach true potential. He was no longer just a prospect; he was a player to be feared, someone whose name would be discussed alongside the best players in the game.
For Pages, the challenges he faced in April were merely stepping stones on his path to greatness. The ability to compartmentalize his mental approach, to separate his hitting from his fielding, was the key to his transformation. Now, as he enters the conversation as a potential All-Star, Pages understands that the journey is far from over. He has mastered the art of balance, and the future is bright for one of the Dodgers’ most exciting young talents.
