Joc Pederson

Joc Pederson (born April 21, 1992) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of Palo Alto High School, he made his MLB debut on September 1, 2014, and has since established himself as a power-hitting corner infielder and outfielder known for his left-handed swing and postseason contributions.

Pederson's career began promisingly with the Dodgers, where he emerged as a top prospect, posting a.298 batting average with 84 home runs across 1,641 minor league at-bats before his call-up. In his 2015 rookie season, he hit 26 home runs and earned All-Star honors, though his performance fluctuated in subsequent years, including a career-high 36 home runs in 2019. After leaving the Dodgers following the 2020 season—where he contributed to their World Series championship with a.382 batting average, two home runs, and eight RBIs in the playoffs—he played for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves in 2021, helping the Braves win the World Series that year with three postseason home runs.

Pederson's father, Stuart Russell "Stu" Pederson, born January 28, 1960, in Palo Alto, was a professional outfielder who appeared in seven Major League Baseball games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1985 after being drafted by the team in the ninth round of the 1981 MLB Draft out of the University of Southern California. Stu's brief MLB tenure served as a key inspiration for Joc's early aspirations in the sport, fostering an environment where baseball was emphasized from a young age through coaching and family involvement in Little League and beyond. His mother, Shelley Pederson (née Cahn), comes from Jewish heritage, which later played a role in Joc's eligibility and participation in international baseball events representing Team Israel.