There are a great deal of inquiries for the Dodgers to address this springtime. More than a lot of periods, there are beginning work up for grabs and also whole roster places concerned.
Let’s try predicting the 13 position gamers that will certainly compose their fifty percent of LA’s Opening Day roster. First, allow’s begin with the safe bets (presuming health and wellness):
Catcher: Will Smith, Austin Barnes
Infield: Freddie Freeman, Miguel Vargas, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfield: Mookie Betts, Trayce Thompson, Chris Taylor
Designated player: JD Martinez
That leaves simply 2 roster places readily available, and also both of them will most likely be reserved for outfielders. With Taylor’s capacity to play both infield and also outfield, he and also Rojas must have the ability to manage the back-up infield work.
There are 4 outfielders trying those last 2 places: James Outman, Michael Busch, Jason Heyward, and also Bradley Zimmer.
Busch has actually primarily been an infielder in the minors, yet there isn’t actually area for him there, so if he’s mosting likely to make the group, it will certainly remain in limbo. Having Busch would certainly likewise make it less complicated to lug 5 outfielders, due to the fact that he would certainly sign up with CT3 in the “outfielders who can also play infield” group.
Outman played 4 video games in the major leagues in 2014 and also was impressive, and also he was likewise wonderful in Double- An and also Triple- A in a much bigger example dimension. It promises that he can manage facility area defensively, so if he can strike in all, he appears to have the ideal contended that beginning work.
Heyward has actually been a celebrity in the past, and also he’s well appreciated in every club he’s remained in. The concern is whether he can strike. If he can find several of his old offending magic, he might be an excellent enhancement as an energy outfielder. You need to believe Dodgers management is really hoping Heyward can make his method onto the roster.
In order for Zimmer to make an area on the roster, he would certainly require to end up being something he’s never ever remained in the major leagues: a good player. Los Angeles non-tendered Cody Bellinger due to the fact that he had not been offering any kind of crime, yet his OPS+ in 2014 (78) was 7 factors much better than Zimmer’s job mark and also just 7 factors even worse than Zimmer’s job high. Miracles take place often, yet I sure would not place any kind of cash on Zimmer turning into one of them.
Looking at these alternatives, Outman is as near a certainty as you can obtain with a novice that’s played simply 4 major-league video games. He would certainly need to be definitely horrible this springtime to not damage camp with the group.
So that brings us to Heyward, Busch, and also Zimmer for one last place. If Heyward can make any kind of kind of sprinkle in all, the place will certainly be his, specifically due to the fact that Busch might most likely make use of some permanent operate in limbo in the minors if that’s mosting likely to be his position moving forward. More most likely could be the Dodgers aiming to profession Busch to a group that might make use of a 2nd baseman, due to the fact that his bat is far more beneficial at 2B than in left.
That’s it, we’re calling it. Outman and also Heyward obtain the last 2 roster places.
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