Dodgers' Yasiel Puig wants to be LeBron James of baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said he wants to be baseball's equivalent of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Puig, 24, reported to spring training last week with pitchers and catchers ahead of his third season in the majors.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said he wants to be baseball's equivalent of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Puig, 24, reported to spring training last week with pitchers and catchers ahead of his third season in the majors. He made his first All-Star Game last season and batted .296 with 16 home runs and 69 RBIs.

He said he wants to step into the role of baseball's signature star this season after New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter retired following last season.

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Puig said he would like to be to baseball what Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are to basketball.

"I want to be like them one day," he said in Spanish.

Celebrities at Spring Training

Kate Upton

Here's a look at celebrities at spring training through the years.

Cameron Diaz

David Goldman/AP

John Goodman

Doug Murray/AP

Eva Longoria and Ricardo Antonio Chavira

Danny Moloshok/AP

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren

Scott Audette/AP

Regis Philibin

Chris O'Meara/AP

Matthew Broderick

Ron Frehm/AP

George Clooney

Kathy Willens/AP

Jerry Seinfeld

Brad Barr/USA Today Sports

Billy Crystal

Kathy Willens/AP

Will Ferrell

Chris Carlson/AP

Kevin Costner

Rodrigo Pena/AP

Matthew McConaughey

Scott Audette/AP

Jordin Sparks

Morry Gash/AP

Ron Howard

Kathy Willens/AP

Muhammad Ali, George Brett, Joe Torre and Wayne Gretzky

Tony Gutierrez/AP

Paul Simon

Mike Carlson/AP

James Taylor

Brita Meng Outzen/AP

Sigourney Weaver

Richard Drew/AP

The Blueman Group

Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images

Charlie Pride

LM Otero/AP

Rob Schnieder and Willie Mays

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Garth Brooks

Bill Mitchell/AP

Jennie Finch

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Jim Belushi

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Mario Lopez

Kathy Willens/AP

WWE performer Kelly Kelly

Jeff Chiu/AP

Martin Short

Kathy Willens/AP

Robin Williams

J. Meric/Getty Images

Bobby Knight

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

David Cook

Charlie Riedel/AP

James Blake

Luis M. Alvarez/AP

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino

Richard Drew/AP

Rob Schnieder

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Actor Rob Schnieder (left) stands with Jeff Fassero, Ray Durham, and Barry Bonds who's portraying Paula Abdul.

Richard Gere

Kathy Willens/AP

​Puig was benched for Game 4 of the NLDS last season against the St. Louis Cardinals after striking out seven times across Games 3 and 4.

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Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire said he was impressed by Puig's commitment to the new season and views him as an MVP candidate.

The Dodgers open the regular season on Monday, April 6, against the San Diego Padres.

- Paul Palladino