Joc Pederson is an American professional baseball player currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has played for other MLB teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. His achievements include two World Series titles and two All-Star selections.
1907: Zelda Sugarman is Born
Joc Pederson's great-grandmother, Zelda Sugarman, was born in 1907.
1934: Historic 30-30 Season in the Pacific Coast League
In 1934, Frank Demaree achieved a rare feat by hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases in a single season in the Pacific Coast League.
1953: Previous Dodgers Postseason Record Set
In 1953, a Dodgers player, potentially Billy Cox, Andre Ethier, or A.J. Ellis, set a postseason record for consecutive games with an extra-base hit, a record that stood until broken by Joc Pederson in 2017.
1961: Historic Game Against the Mets
On May 24, 2022, Pederson had a historic game, hitting three home runs and recording eight RBIs to lead the Giants to a win against the Mets. His performance set multiple franchise records and put him in the company of legends like Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio. He also became the second player, after Ryan Klesko, to hit a home run into McCovey Cove as both a Giant and a visiting player.
1985: Stu Pederson Plays for the Dodgers
Joc Pederson's father, Stu Pederson, played in eight games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1985.
April 21, 1992: Birth of Joc Pederson
Joc Russell Pederson was born on April 21, 1992. He would go on to have a successful baseball career, playing for various MLB teams.
1993: Mike Piazza's Rookie Home Run Record
In 1993, Mike Piazza set the Dodgers franchise record for most home runs by a rookie with 35.
1995: Hideo Nomo's All-Star Selection
In 1995, Hideo Nomo became the first Dodgers rookie to be selected for the All-Star Game since an unspecified earlier year.
1999: Raúl Mondesí's Impressive Opening Day Performance
In 1999, Raúl Mondesí had a remarkable Opening Day game for the Dodgers, driving in six runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
April 3, 2000: Eric Karros Hits Grand Slam on Opening Day
On April 3, 2000, Eric Karros hit a grand slam for the Dodgers on Opening Day against the Montreal Expos.
2000: Ron Gant's Low RBI Total
In 2000, Ron Gant tied the record for the lowest RBI total by a player with at least 25 home runs, driving in 54 runs despite hitting 26 homers.
2010: Signs with the Dodgers
Joc Pederson, after being drafted by the Dodgers, signed with them for a $600,000 signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to play at the University of Southern California.
2010: Joc Pederson Graduates High School
In 2010, Joc Pederson graduated from Palo Alto High School.
2010: Drafted by the Dodgers
In 2010, Joc Pederson was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the MLB draft. He chose to sign with them instead of attending the University of Southern California.
2011: Impressive Performance with the Ogden Raptors
In 2011, while playing for the Ogden Raptors, Joc Pederson showcased an impressive performance, leading the league in several categories including runs batted in and on-base plus slugging percentage.
2012: Promoted to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Named Dodgers' "Minor League Player of the Year"
Joc Pederson was promoted to the Class-A (Advanced) Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2012 and was recognized as the Dodgers' "Minor League Player of the Year."
2013: Promoted to Chattanooga Lookouts, Selected for Futures Game and All-Star Games
In 2013, Joc Pederson was promoted to the Class AA Chattanooga Lookouts and received recognition for his skills, being selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game and the Southern League All-Star Game.
2013: Joc Pederson Plays for Team Israel in World Baseball Classic
In 2013, Joc Pederson, the youngest player on the team, played for the Israel national baseball team in the qualifying rounds of the World Baseball Classic, leveraging his Jewish heritage.
2013: Plays for Israel in the World Baseball Classic
Joc Pederson, due to his Jewish heritage, played for the Israel national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
February 2014: Top Prospect Recognition and Spring Training Invitation
In February 2014, Joc Pederson was recognized as the 34th-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America and received an invitation to the Dodgers' spring training.
April 2014: Minor League Success and Prospect of the Month Honors
Joc Pederson's exceptional performance in April 2014, where he achieved a .398 batting average, earned him the title of MLBPipeline.com's Minor League Prospect of the Month. His age and performance relative to the league average further solidified his status as a top prospect.
September 1, 2014: Major League Debut
On September 1, 2014, Joc Pederson was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time, marking his debut in the big leagues. His reputation as a skilled center fielder, as acknowledged by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, preceded his promotion.
2014: Named Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player
In 2014, Joc Pederson was named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Most Valuable Player after hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases. He also made his major league debut in September of that year.
2014: Dominating Minor League Season and Accolades
Joc Pederson concluded his 2014 minor league season with impressive statistics, leading the Pacific Coast League in various categories including runs scored, home runs, and walks. His performance earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including PCL Most Valuable Player, PCL Rookie of the Year, and Baseball America's Class AAA Player of the Year.
2015: Starts as Dodgers' Center Fielder, Selected for NL All-Star Team
Joc Pederson began the 2015 season as the Dodgers' starting center fielder and was selected to start for the NL All-Star team.
2015: Career Statistics Since 2015
By the end of 2021, Pederson had a career .501 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching. Since his first full season in 2015, he ranked among the top NL outfielders in home runs and walks.
2015: Loss of Starting Role
Despite beginning 2016 as the Dodgers' center fielder, Joc Pederson experienced a change in his role late in the 2015 season, losing his starting position.
2015: First Playoff Appearance and NLDS Loss
In 2015, Joc Pederson experienced the playoffs for the first time as the Dodgers clinched the NL West title. Despite starting in two games of the NL Division Series (NLDS) against the New York Mets, he and the Dodgers fell short of victory.
2015: Franchise Records and Rookie Recognition
Joc Pederson achieved a mix of highs and lows in the 2015 season. While he hit the second-most home runs by a Dodger rookie in franchise history (26), he also tied the lowest RBI total ever by a player with at least 25 home runs. His performance earned him a spot on Baseball America's All-Rookie team.
2015: Opening Day Center Fielder
Joc Pederson was named the starting center fielder for the Dodgers on Opening Day in 2015, securing his spot after the trade of Matt Kemp and outperforming veteran Andre Ethier.
2015: Statcast Records
Joc Pederson's home run against Max Scherzer in the 2021 NLCS was the third-hardest hit Scherzer had given up since Statcast began tracking data in 2015.
2015: All-Star Selection, Home Run Derby Runner-Up, and Rookie Record
Joc Pederson's outstanding 2015 season saw him become the first Dodgers rookie since Hideo Nomo in 1995 to be selected for the All-Star Game, and the first Dodgers rookie position player ever to start in an All-Star game. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round.
2015: Longest Leadoff Home Run Since 2015
On April 24, 2022, Pederson hit a 441-foot leadoff home run, the longest by a Giants player since Statcast began tracking in 2015. It was his 24th career leadoff homer.
2016: Playoff Contributions and NLCS Appearance
For the second consecutive year, Joc Pederson reached the playoffs as the Dodgers secured their fourth straight NL West title. During the 2016 playoffs, he made key contributions, including driving in runs and hitting a crucial home run against Max Scherzer in the NLDS. Despite advancing to the NL Championship Series (NLCS), the Dodgers were ultimately defeated by the Chicago Cubs.
2016: Hits 25 Home Runs for Second Consecutive Season
In 2016, Joc Pederson hit 25 home runs, marking the second consecutive season he achieved this milestone.
2016: Platoon Role and Notable Performances
In 2016, Joc Pederson primarily played in a platoon role, facing mostly right-handed pitchers. Despite this, he had several notable games, including hitting multiple home runs in victories against the Los Angeles Angels and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also experienced a setback due to a right AC joint sprain but returned to action later in the season.
2016: Consistent Power and Home Run Streak
Throughout 2016, Joc Pederson showcased his consistent power, hitting 25 home runs for the second consecutive season. Notably, he became the first Dodger to achieve this feat in his first two seasons. His performance was highlighted by an impressive average exit velocity on batted balls.
2017: Joc Pederson's Postseason Performance and World Series Appearance
Joc Pederson returned to the Dodgers for the 2017 postseason after Corey Seager's injury. He set a new Dodgers postseason record with extra-base hits in five consecutive games, surpassing a record set in 1953. He hit key home runs in Games 2, 4, and 6 of the World Series, but the Dodgers ultimately lost to the Houston Astros in seven games.
2017: Hits Three Home Runs in the World Series
Joc Pederson hit three home runs in the 2017 World Series, although the Dodgers ultimately lost to the Houston Astros.
2017: Joc Pederson's Season Highlights and Demotion to Triple-A
Joc Pederson began the 2017 season with a grand slam on Opening Day, matching Eric Karros' feat from 2000. However, after a collision with Yasiel Puig led to a concussion, his performance declined. He was demoted to Triple-A in August after the Dodgers acquired Curtis Granderson. Despite improvements, he finished the season with a .212 batting average.
January 2018: Joc Pederson Marries Longtime Girlfriend Kelsey Williams
Joc Pederson married his longtime girlfriend, Kelsey Williams, in January 2018.
October 2018: Joc Pederson and Kelsey Williams Welcome Their First Child
Joc Pederson and his wife, Kelsey, celebrated the birth of their daughter in October 2018, amidst the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers.
2018: Joc Pederson's Record-Breaking Leadoff Home Runs and Improved Performance
In 2018, Joc Pederson set a new Dodgers franchise record for leadoff home runs in a single season, surpassing Davey Lopes. His strong performance as a leadoff hitter and improved slugging percentage contributed to the Dodgers' sixth consecutive NL West title.
2018: Joc Pederson's Postseason Contributions and World Series Home Run
Joc Pederson continued his strong postseason performances in 2018, hitting a leadoff home run in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. He also homered in the Dodgers' Game 3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, though the Dodgers lost the series in five games.
2018: Homers in World Series Game 3
Joc Pederson hit a home run in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series. However, the Dodgers lost to the Boston Red Sox.
2018: Joc Pederson's Two-Home Run Games and Platoon Role
Joc Pederson signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers for the 2018 season, avoiding arbitration. He shared left field with Matt Kemp in a platoon role and hit two home runs in separate games within a week in June.
2018: Francisco Lindor Ties Multi-Homer Game Record
In 2018, Francisco Lindor tied the MLB record for most multi-homer games from the leadoff spot, a record later matched by Joc Pederson in 2019.
2019: Joc Pederson's 100th Home Run and All-Star Home Run Derby
Joc Pederson reached a career milestone in 2019, hitting his 100th career home run against the San Diego Padres. He also participated in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star festivities but lost in the semi-finals to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a close matchup.
2019: Achieves Career-High 36 Home Runs
Joc Pederson hit a career-high 36 home runs in 2019.
2019: Joc Pederson's Career Year and Multi-Homer Game Record
Joc Pederson had a career year in 2019, hitting a career-high 36 home runs and finishing among the league leaders in home runs per at-bat. He tied the MLB record for multi-homer games from the leadoff spot, showcasing his power at the plate.
2019: Joc Pederson Inducted into Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Northern California
In 2019, Joc Pederson received recognition for his athletic achievements and contributions to Jewish sports when he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Northern California.
2019: Joc Pederson's Hard-Hit Home Run and NLDS Performance
During the 2019 NLDS, Joc Pederson hit the hardest home run by a Dodgers player that year in Game 1 against the Washington Nationals. However, the Dodgers were eliminated by the Nationals in five games.
2020: Joc Pederson's Season Statistics and Limited Playoff Appearances
Despite a down year in 2020, Joc Pederson finished the season with impressive career rankings among Dodgers players in home runs per at-bat and hit by pitch. His hard-hit rate remained a strength, but his opportunities were limited during the Dodgers' World Series championship run.
2020: Joctober in the Playoffs
In the 2020 playoffs, Joc Pederson had a strong showing, highlighted by being one of three Dodgers to homer in the first inning of Game 3 of the NLCS, a playoff first. His performance led to teammate Alex Wood jokingly dubbing October "Joctober." Pederson also hit a crucial home run in the World Series, helping the Dodgers secure the championship.
2020: Joc Pederson's Salary Award and Shortened Season
Joc Pederson lost his arbitration case with the Dodgers but still received a significant salary for the 2020 season. The season was shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pederson played in 43 games, experiencing a decline in his offensive production.
2020: Wins World Series with the Dodgers
Joc Pederson was part of the Dodgers team that won the World Series in 2020. He contributed four hits in 10 at bats during the series.
2020: Joc Pederson Joins Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Joc Pederson's impact on Jewish sports was further cemented in 2020 when he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
2020: Joc Pederson and Kelsey Williams Welcome Their Second Child
Shortly before the Dodgers' 2020 World Series victory against the Tampa Bay Rays, Joc Pederson and his wife, Kelsey, became parents to their second child, a son.
February 5, 2021: Signing with the Chicago Cubs
Joc Pederson signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on February 5, 2021, hoping for more playing time. He chose to wear the number 24 due to his usual 31 being retired by the Cubs.
July 15, 2021: Traded to the Atlanta Braves
On July 15, 2021, Joc Pederson was traded to the Atlanta Braves to fill the gap left by Ronald Acuña Jr.'s injury. He chose to wear the number 22 to honor former teammates Clayton Kershaw and Jason Heyward.
2021: The Pearl Necklace
Throughout the 2021 postseason, Joc Pederson's signature pearl necklace became a fan favorite, with fans even wearing replicas to games. The necklace was later sent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame following the Braves' World Series victory.
2021: Wins Back-to-Back World Series with Atlanta Braves
After signing with the Chicago Cubs and being traded mid-season to the Atlanta Braves, Joc Pederson won the World Series, making him the ninth player in MLB history to win back-to-back World Series with different teams.
2021: Postseason Success and Back-to-Back Championships
Pederson continued his postseason heroics in 2021, hitting two crucial pinch-hit home runs in the NLDS and a go-ahead home run against Max Scherzer in the NLCS. His performance helped the Braves win the World Series, making him the ninth player in MLB history to win back-to-back championships with different teams.
2021: Performance with the Braves
In 2021, while playing for the Braves, Pederson batted .249/.325/.428 with 7 home runs and 22 RBIs. Notably, he started 21 games against left-handed pitchers, a significant increase from his previous seasons.
2021: Career Statistics Through 2021
By the end of 2021, Pederson had a career .501 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching. Since his first full season in 2015, he ranked among the top NL outfielders in home runs and walks.
March 16, 2022: Signing with the San Francisco Giants
On March 16, 2022, Joc Pederson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, marking his return to the National League West and the Bay Area.
April 24, 2022: Longest Leadoff Home Run Since 2015
On April 24, 2022, Pederson hit a 441-foot leadoff home run, the longest by a Giants player since Statcast began tracking in 2015. It was his 24th career leadoff homer.
October 2022: Joc Pederson and Kelsey Williams Announce Pregnancy with Third Child
In October 2022, Joc Pederson and his wife, Kelsey, shared the news that they were expecting their third child.
2022: Joc Pederson's Jewish Baseball Ranking
By 2022, Joc Pederson was recognized for his achievements within Jewish baseball players, ranking second in career home run frequency, seventh in career home runs, and eighth in career slugging percentage.
2022: Second All-Star Selection
Joc Pederson was selected to his second All-Star game in 2022, starting in the outfield for the National League at Dodger Stadium.
2022: Mutual Option with the Cubs
Joc Pederson's contract with the Chicago Cubs included a mutual option for the 2022 season.
2022: Exceptional Performance with the Giants
Pederson had a remarkable season with the Giants in 2022, batting .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs. He ranked highly in various offensive categories, showcasing his power and consistency at the plate.
2023: Solid Performance in 2023
Joc Pederson continued to be a productive hitter in 2023, batting .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs. He maintained his high ranking in hard-hit percentage and exit velocity, demonstrating his consistent ability to hit the ball with authority.
2023: Joc Pederson Returns to Team Israel for World Baseball Classic
Joc Pederson once again represented Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, playing center field under manager Ian Kinsler and alongside notable teammates like pitcher Dean Kremer.
January 30, 2024: Signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 30, 2024, Joc Pederson signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which also includes a mutual option for the 2025 season.
2025: Mutual Option with the Diamondbacks
Joc Pederson's contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks includes a mutual option for the 2025 season.