Baseball will look dramatically different this coming season, there is no denying that. With a shortened season, the league will have to get creative as they try to get in as many games as possible. One proposal that has been discussed is expanding rosters to allow for resting players more consistently, which would allow an already deep Dodgers team to bring up even more depth. Assuming this is the case, LA has plenty of capable players to choose from.
Let’s take a look at 3 players who could potentially be real difference-makers this season.
3. Zach McKinstry
McKinstry was not a well-known prospect prior to this past season, where he finally broke out and hit .300 with 19 home runs between AA and AAA. That performance earned him a spot on the 40-man roster and an invitation to 2020 spring training. Zach was on a roll early on this spring, hitting .407 with 2 home runs and 2 doubles in 27 at-bats. He was one of the Dodgers’ stand out players of the spring and was already in serious conversations about the final roster spot. Throw in the fact that he can play almost every position on the field and you have yourself a certified Dodger.
2. D.J. Peters
Gone are the flowing locks that Peters was known for, but the raw power is still there. Peters is a part of a highly regarded 2016 draft class for LA and has shown regular improvement as he has moved up the ranks. He hit .249 with 28 HR and 93 RBI last season, as he split time between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Although the Dodgers already have a crowded outfield, don’t be surprised if they find a way to feature Peters’ prodigious power in the mix.
1. Josiah Gray
Gray has quickly become the Dodgers’ top prospect after the trade that brought him over from the Reds in 2018. In his first full season in 2019, he quickly ascended all the way to AA Tulsa, averaging a 2.38 ERA over 26 games played and 130 innings pitched. There is no denying that Gray is destined for the Dodgers’ rotation, but his impact in 2020 could be much like those of Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin last season. With a powerful fastball and deceptive breaking pitches, Josiah Gray is a name to look out for once the season kicks off.
Any thoughts on the players mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!
