Joc Russell Pederson is an American professional baseball outfielder, currently signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks of the Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on April 21, 1992, Pederson has a storied career in MLB, having previously played for renowned teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. As a testament to his prowess on the field, he boasts two World Series championships and two All-Star titles. Beyond his national career, Pederson represents the Israel national baseball team in international competitions.
Pederson’s journey in baseball began at a young age and could be credited to the influence and guidance of his father, Stu Pederson, a former MLB player. Born and raised in Palo Alto, California, he was drafted straight out of Palo Alto High School by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB draft. Leveraging his Jewish heritage, he was able to play for the Israel national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. His immense talent was at once recognized, and he was ranked the Dodgers’ top prospect by Baseball America following the 2013 season.
In 2014, Pederson made a remarkable entry on the professional scene by being named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Most Valuable Player, a title he secured thanks to his extraordinary performance of hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases. The same year, he debuted in the major leagues in September.
Starting the 2015 season as the Dodgers’ principal center fielder, Pederson was selected to start for the National League (NL) All-Star team for his commendable performance. He further established himself as an integral player for the Dodgers by relentlessly pushing boundaries and setting records. Notably, he became the first Dodger to hit at least 25 home runs in each of his first two seasons, a feat he achieved in 2016.
However, a remarkable milestone in Pederson’s career came during the 2017 and 2018 World Series. In these championships, he hit three home runs against the Houston Astros and one home run against the Boston Red Sox respectively. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost against both teams. Despite these setbacks, his performance improved each year, hitting a career-high of 36 home runs in 2019.
In 2020, Pederson proved instrumental in helping the Dodgers clinch the championship title in the World Series. His excellent form continued, signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, later being traded mid-season to the Atlanta Braves, leading them to win the World Series. This win made him the ninth player in Major League history to win back-to-back World Series with different teams. Pederson then returned to his roots, signing a one-year contract with his hometown San Francisco Giants, earning his second career All-Star game following the 2021-22 lockout.
Apart from sports, Pederson takes pride in his Jewish heritage, being Jewish by birth through his mother, Shelly. His Jewish ancestors were charter members of the synagogue Temple Emanuel in San Francisco. Alongside baseball, Pederson’s family also boasts athletes in other sports, with his younger sister Jacey playing soccer for the United States national under-17 team and college soccer for the UCLA Bruins.
Pederson also attended Palo Alto High School, where he showcased his athletic prowess not just in baseball but also in football. He became the team’s number one wide receiver, surpassing even future NFL two-time All Pro First Team wide receiver Davante Adams.
After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010, Pederson chose to step into the professional arena instead of playing at the University of Southern California, where his father had played college baseball. His dedication and hard work in the minor leagues paved the way for his promotion to the major leagues, where he cemented his reputation as a top-ranking baseball player.
Joc Pederson’s career, characterized by his commitment to the sport and his versatility on the field, continues to inspire many upcoming baseball players.