The defending National League champions added left-hand power bat Joc Pederson as another acquisition this summer in an attempt to strengthen a team that finished 84-78 in the regular season before dominating the postseason. Despite spending part of the last two seasons playing outfield for the Giants, defense is not his specialty, thus he will probably spend the majority of his time as a designated hitter against right-handed pitchers.

Pederson continues to be one of baseball's greatest left-handed hitters. The 10-year veteran remains a favorite at the plate and can still add value to any lineup in the league, even with his subpar 2023 performance.

After hitting .382 with two home runs and eight RBIs during the Dodgers' World Series triumph in 2020, Pederson was given the nickname "Joctober." After winning the World Series in 2021, Pederson would add three more home runs to his postseason legacy the following year while playing for the Braves in the playoffs.

Hoping to replicate his 2022 season style, which was possibly the finest of his career at the plate and during his debut with the Giants. With a career-best 146 wRC+, Pederson tied for the ninth-highest rate in baseball among players with at least 400 plate appearances. He also hit 23 home runs that season. 

Although Pederson's performance declined in 2023, there are good reasons to think that he had some bad luck at the bat. Pederson hit just 15 home runs in 358 at-bats with a 111 wRC+, but he increased his walk rate and decreased his strikeout rate while boosting his hard-hit rate. 

The veteran hitter has a lot to look forward to this upcoming season with the defending NL champs, hoping to replicate the team’s stellar performance.