Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages started 2026 fantastically, partly due to his offseason training on the Trajekt machine.
While Pages had just won a second World Series title in as many years with the Dodgers, he wasn’t entirely satisfied with his performance. He managed just four hits in 51 at-bats in October, striking out 11 times in that stretch. To work on his plate discipline during the offseason, Pages knew just who to face on the Trajekt machine: Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
What is the Trajekt Machine?
The Trajekt machine is a virtual reality simulator which displays the pitching motion of any pitcher in MLB, also replicating the pitcher’s release point and pitch movement.
“He’s faced Skenes a lot – the splinker,” Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said. “It’s basically a tumbling sinker that has outlier-type movement. He’s identifying ‘Ball’ and ‘Strike’ on that.
“I’m sure Andy’s logic is … if I can do it on the hardest pitch, it’ll be easier on pitches that aren’t as good.”
Pages said he spent every day during the offseason working on the machine, and revealed using it has crept into his gamey routine.
“I focused a lot on the pitches that Paul Skenes was throwing, just because his ball moves so much,” Pages said. “I start with him (on game days), but then I zone in on the starting pitcher for that evening.”
Has Andy Pages’ Offseason Training Paid Off?
Pages has been off to a great start to 2026, leading MLB in both batting average and hits. He carried the Dodgers through the first two series of the season, and already has three homers and 12 RBIs this season. Manager Dave Roberts has also taken notice of the third-year outfielder’s improvement in 2026.
“I think he’s gotten more of an understanding of the value of when you swing at strikes, the results,” Roberts said. “And when you swing at balls and you chase, understanding count leverage, what pitchers are trying to do to you, all that stuff. And he’s worked really hard on understanding his strike zone. And when you do that, how much better of a hitter you can become. And so I think he gets a lot of credit, along with the hitting guys, of valuing controlling the strike zone.”
The Dodgers are off to a great start to the season with Pages’ help, and have a 9-3 record through their first four series of the season. They return to Dodger Stadium for their next two series, which come against the Texas Rangers and New York Mets.
LA gets an off day Thursday before returning against the Rangers on Friday, and will look to start a new win streak after their loss against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.
Can Andy Pages stay hot for the rest of the season?