After playing high school baseball for Mesa High School, Hatcher attended Mesa Community College where he was named All-American twice in both football and baseball. His football jersey #81 was later retired. After starring at community college level he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played both football and baseball and played as wide receiver in the 1976 Fiesta Bowl. He was drafted twice (in 1974 in the 12th round by the Houston Astros and in 1976 in the 2nd round by the New York Mets) before signing with the Dodgers in 1977 (after being selected in the 5th round of the June draft). After signing, Hatcher was assigned as an outfielder to the Clinton Dodgers in the Class A Midwest League. The following season, Hatcher spent time playing for both San Antonio in the Class AA Texas League and AAA Albuquerque. Both stops would see him split time between the outfield and thirdbase – presaging his major league career in which he would see time not only at all three outfield positions, but also first and thirdbase. After hitting .371 with 10 home runs, 93 RBI, and 88 runs for Albuquerque, Hatcher made his major league debut on August 3, 1979 subbing in for Ron Cey at 3B. Hatcher was credited with an RBI after taking a bases-loaded walk in the 7th inning. Hatcher would hit .269 in 33 games for the Dodgers in 1979. Hatcher would start the 1980 season knocking around AAA pitching (hitting .359 in 43 games) before again being called up to the parent club. Hatcher would only hit .226 for the Dodgers and despite averaging well over .350 in the minors, his major league stats to date were 2 HR, 10 RBI, 13 runs, and a .249 batting average in 179 plate appearances. On March 30, 1981, the Dodgers traded Hatcher and two minor leaguers to the Minnesota Twins for veteran outfielder Ken Landreaux.