2016 Dodgers review: Will Venable

Will Venable reunited with his former coach and the former owner of his glove in 2016.

What went right

Venable opted out of minor league deals with the Indians (in spring training) and the Phillies (in June), then signed a major league deal with the Dodgers on June 14.

In his third game with the Dodgers, Will Venable doubled to lead off the 10th inning against Brewers closer Jeremy Jeffress on June 17, then scored the winning run.

Venable hit .276/.343/.404 in 41 games in Triple-A Oklahoma City, and helped them in the postseason, putting up a .342 on-base percentage with six RBI and five runs scored in nine games.

Venable signing made us familiar with a cool story that he used an old glove of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, his coach for a few years in San Diego.

What went wrong

That double was Venable’s only hit in the majors in 2016. He was 1-for-18 (.056) with five strikeouts and one hit by pitch.

Venable was 0-for-9 as a pinch hitter.

He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers twice, and both times accepted outright assignments to the minors. He didn’t play in the majors again this season after July 6.

2016 particulars

Age: 33

Stats: 12 games, 3 starts, 1-for-18 (.056), double, HBP, 2 runs scored

Salary: $507,500, of which the Dodgers paid approximately $308,000.

Game of the year

This has to be June 17, with Venable’s double in three at-bats. He was also hit by a pitch in that game. In his other 11 games combined, Venable was 0-or-15.

Roster status

Venable is a free agent.