Dodgers, Mondesi Aren’t Perfect

His teammates say he is one of the most skilled players in the game.

Opponents have been impressed as well, saying Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi does things most only wish they could. He has won awards and been an all-star, seemingly justifying the praise.

But with Mondesi, it’s never about what he has accomplished. The story always seems to be how much more he could have--or should have--done with his talent.

Mondesi has been a positive force in the season’s opening week, though he wasn’t a factor on a chilly Thursday night as the Dodgers were defeated for the first time, 4-2, by the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

A crowd of 27,879 watched the Rockies score four runs with two out in the seventh inning against Dodger starter Carlos Perez, taking command in a game delayed 1 hour 25 minutes because of rain. The inning was highlighted by Todd Helton’s three-run home run to right-center against the left-hander, who faced the minimum through the first six innings.

The Dodgers were trying to match their second-best start in Los Angeles franchise history. The 1978 ballclub started 4-0, and the ’81 team won its first six games.

Former Dodger left-hander Brian Bohanon pitched well in his first start for the Rockies, going seven innings and giving up three hits and one unearned run. He struck out four and walked five while throwing 108 pitches, including 57 strikes.

Dodger left fielder Gary Sheffield left the game in the fifth because he experienced muscle stiffness in his right hip, team officials said.

Mondesi, who was hitless in three at-bats with a walk, was among the reasons the Dodgers won their first three games. But he is aware his critics, including some within the Dodger organization, believe he has underachieved to this point. He knows many Dodger fans want him to do more, and Mondesi does too.

The star right fielder says is focused on his job like never before, and he’s determined to show how much he can do.

“I just want to have a good season, I don’t want to [deal with] anything else,” Mondesi said. “No distractions, just play the game and work hard.

“I know I can have a good season and help the team win, I just have to do my job. That’s all I’m thinking about.”

The cleanup batter did his job and more in the opening series, powering the Dodgers to a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

He hit two home runs in the opener, including the game-winner with two out in the 11th inning. He hit a two-run homer in the series finale, driving in eight runs against the Diamondbacks.

“I’ve played with a lot of great players and against a lot of great players, and Mondy is right there with the best of them,” Sheffield said. “I’m telling you, Mondy can do things in this game that just blow you away.

“He has as many tools as anybody. He can just take over a game, like he stepped up when we needed someone to [against Arizona].”

Johnson made Mondesi his cleanup batter during spring training, hoping to inspire him.

So far, Johnson isn’t second-guessing himself.

“This is a special guy who can do a lot for you,” Johnson said. “I want him up in a lot of situations with runners on, because that’s where he can help our club win the most games.”

That hasn’t always been the case.

Mondesi acknowledges he has been undisciplined at the plate throughout his first five full seasons, infuriating team officials in the process.

His tendency to chase bad pitches prevented Mondesi from previously batting third. Had he been able to fill that role, Mondesi may have added another dimension to the offense because of his speed and power.

Now, he’s trying to remain in the cleanup spot after struggling with runners in scoring position last season. He batted .224 overall and .190 with less than two out, failing in too many key situations.

“I know I can do better,” said Mondesi, making $8.5 million this season. “I’m going to get better pitches with Sheff batting [third] in front of me, and I’m going to do better.”

General Manager Kevin Malone certainly hopes so.

Malone, whose background is in scouting, said the sky is the limit with Mondesi. But it’s time he made a move in that direction.

“I was very impressed with Raul’s effort in the spring,” Malone said. “I saw a guy who was committed to working hard, to being the best he could be and to helping the Dodgers win.

“The thing about Raul is that he has so many tools. You see the tools he has and you think, ‘How good can this guy be?’ Part of the problem is that he’s capable of taking it up another couple of levels.”

That has always been the story.