Dodgers' Unheralded Gem Andy Pages Shines as NL Player of the Week

The $800,000 centerfielder is outperforming the Dodgers' high-priced stars.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's batting stance and swing, with sharp, overlapping planes in shades of blue, red, and white, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Dodgers' young star Andy Pages is breaking out with his unique blend of power, speed, and plate discipline, disrupting the team's high-priced lineup.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages, who is earning just $800,000 this season, was named the National League Player of the Week after a standout performance that included a .583 batting average, 2 home runs, and 7 RBIs. Despite the Dodgers' reputation for spending big on top talent, the 24-year-old Pages has emerged as an unheralded gem for the team with his combination of power, speed, and plate discipline.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are known for having one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball, but Pages' breakout performance shows the team can also develop young, cost-effective talent to complement their big-name stars. Pages' success could inspire other teams to focus on finding undervalued players who can make an impact.

The details

Pages started to establish himself as a solid player two seasons ago, hitting .248 with a .712 OPS and 13 home runs. Last year, he improved to .272 with 27 homers, 14 steals, and a .774 OPS, though he struggled in the postseason. This season, Pages has taken his game to another level, batting .471 with 3 home runs and a 1.294 OPS. His success is driven by elite hard-hit rate, plate discipline, and above-average speed.

  • On April 6, 2026, Pages was named the National League Player of the Week.
  • Last season, Pages hit .272 with 27 home runs and 14 steals.

The players

Andy Pages

A 24-year-old centerfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is earning just $800,000 this season, but has emerged as one of the team's top performers with his power, speed, and plate discipline.

Yordan Alvarez

The Houston Astros slugger who was named the American League Player of the Week, hitting .471 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.

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What they’re saying

“L.A. is paying everyone a lot of money.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

“Dodgers OF Andy Pages, the only player in the Dodgers lineup earning less than $5 million at $800k, is the NL Player of the Week, hitting .583 with 2 HRs and 7 RBI. He joins Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez (.471, 3 HRs, 8 RBI) who wins the AL Player of the Week, as award winners.”

— Bob Nightengale, Sports Reporter

What’s next

If Pages continues his hot start, he could earn a significant raise or long-term contract extension from the Dodgers, who will look to lock up their young star before he becomes eligible for arbitration.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' ability to develop and feature cost-effective young talent like Andy Pages, even on a roster full of high-priced superstars, demonstrates the team's commitment to building a well-rounded roster and finding undervalued players who can make an impact.