ESPN recently released its rank of the top 100 players for the 2020 season. 40 MLB writers came together to vote on 200 hundred players to determine who would crack their rankings. The Dodgers had 7 of their players make into the top 100 tying them with the Yankees for second-most. The Astros were first with 8 players, although they may have counted the trashcan they used as one of them.
Here are the Dodgers who made the cut:
Corey Seager, No. 78 (2019 Rank: 49)
Falling 29 places in the rankings after a year has to do with the Tommy John Surgery that Seager had to go through in 2018. While the ranking had him that low because he didn’t produce as well as he had pre-surgery and missed time on the IL, Seager still put up a solid 2019 season. He gave the Dodgers solid defense at shortstop while batting .272 with 19 home runs and 87 RBI. He also led the National League with 44 doubles.
Max Muncy, No. 69 (2019 rank: not ranked)
Many across baseball believed that Muncy’s 2018 break out was just an anomaly after he spent years struggling to become an MLB regular. He proved them all wrong becoming the next diamond in the rough for the Dodgers. In 2019, Muncy set career-highs in doubles (22), home runs (35), walks (90), and RBI (98) while earning his first all-star nod. He also proved his versatility by playing a capable second baseman.
Justin Turner, No. 68 (2019 Rank: 53)
Over his six seasons with the Dodgers, although it feels like much longer, Tuner has transformed into one of the game’s best hitters. While his defense has taken a hit and he’s been unlucky with injuries the past couple years, it hasn’t slowed his bat. 2019 saw him hit .290 with 24 doubles, 27 home runs, and 67 RBI. This is the last year of his contract before once again hitting free agency but let’s hope it isn’t the end of his journey with the Dodgers.
Clayton Kershaw, No. 48 (2019 Rank: 41)
Kershaw is entering his age-32 season and isn’t what he once was. However, he is still one of the best pitchers in the game and will start his ninth Opening Day which is a franchise record. He’s earned the right to continue that trend having compiled a 16-5 record with a 3.03 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 189 strikeouts in 178.1 innings.
Walker Buehler, No. 19 (2019 Rank: 42)
Buehler started off 2019 a little rough using the first couple of games as his spring training. Even with those rocky starts, he still had a great year going 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 215 strikeouts, in 182.1 innings. He also finished ninth in voting for the CY Young Award, made his first all-star team, and posted two games of at least 15 strikeouts with no walks. Many fans believe that Buehler has surpassed Kershaw as the ace of the staff now and it’s hard to argue against that with the way he’s produced since arriving in the league.
Cody Bellinger, No. 6 (2019 Rank: 61)
It’s no surprise that Bellinger has climbed 55 spots to settle into the top 10 players in the league just behind new teammate Mookie Betts. He took the league by storm this past year battling with Christian Yelich the whole time for NL MVP honors. He produced the franchise’s fourth 9.0 WAR season after hitting .305 with 34 doubles, 47 home runs, and 115 RBI while earning a Silver Slugger Award as well as a Gold Glove for his stellar defense.
Mookie Betts: No. 5 (2019 Rank: 2)
Mookie Betts didn’t live up to his 2018 MVP season in 2019, and it’s almost impossible to do so. However, the new Dodger still had a productive season with his former team putting up a .295 average with 40 doubles, 29 home runs, and 80 RBI. He also scored an AL-leading 135 runs. Over the past four years, he has also finished in the top 10 in MVP voting. Let’s hope the season starts up soon so Dodger fans can see the kind of production that Betts is capable of.
These 7 Dodgers, as well as the rest of the roster, should easily be able to make the playoffs for the 8th straight year and do some serious damage along the way. Hopefully, everything works out and we can see Dodger baseball soon.
