Dodgers: The Best Infield in Major League Baseball Plays at Chavez Ravine

The Dodgers have been quiet this offseason, yet remain the favorites in the National League and one of the favorites to win the World Series. One reason for this is because they have the best infield in all of baseball.

The Dodgers with no alterations still have the best overall infield in the MLB. Let us start on the corners. Cody Bellinger will be the first baseman for Los Angeles. After breaking all sorts of records during his rookie season, Bellinger is looking to build on his tremendous rookie campaign and be an elite player on this team

Bellinger will be hitting in the middle of this very deep lineup. His production will not just be important for him but also for players like Justin Turner and Corey Seager who hit around him. If he is on, it makes pitchers pick their poison against this lineup. Aside from his offense which is well known, Bellinger has all the makings of a gold glover. He is as athletic as they come and can pick it with the best of them.

Now on the other corner, we have “The Red Dream” Justin Turner. One of the most underrated third basemen in the game. He just continues his greatness since taking over that job from Juan Uribe. JT is one of the best hitters in baseball. He is locked in every at-bat and is grinding every time he steps up to the plate. He is one of the toughest hitters to strike out because of his approach.

Turner is one of the peskiest hitters to get out for opposing pitchers. Pitchers could make the perfect pitch and Turner will promptly foul it off and just wait until a mistake is made to do damage. Turner is also silky smooth with the leather. He is gold glove worthy; the only problem is a guy named Nolan Arenado also plays third base, and he is hoarding all the NL gold glove awards.

Let’s get to the middle infield now. Starting with the weakest link of this infield, Logan Forsythe. He was acquired for Jose De Leon last off season to fill a major void LA had at second base. Unfortunately, he was injured early on in the season and when he returned did not get off to a good start with his new ball club.

With that being said, Forsythe picked it up in the back end of the season and into the playoffs. Having a more aggressive approach helped him get better pitches to hit. In Tampa Bay, he proved he could give his team 15-20 home runs and hit around .270. If he sticks to his new approach that is a genuine possibility. With 15 home runs, a .250 AVG, and his plus defense he is an above average second baseman

More from LA Dodgers News

• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers
• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be
• Recapping who Dodgers gained and lost in Rule 5 Draft

Last but not least we have Corey Seager. When healthy he is without a doubt the best position player on the Dodgers. Even with nagging injuries in 2017, Seager was able to remain nearly as productive as he was during his rookie season in which he finished in the top 3 of the National League MVP award. Seager could be your 2018 NL MVP if all goes well with him.

If Seager puts everything together he is the best shortstop in baseball; even when he doesn’t, he is arguably still the best shortstop in baseball with Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor. With the prettiest swing in baseball behind Robinson Cano, Seager can do damage and look good while doing it. Similarly, on defense, he makes it look oh so easy at the difficult position of shortstop. Seager is the anchor of this infield and this team.

This group of four is better than every other team’s infield. Not many organizations can say they have a top 5 first baseman, shortstop and third baseman. Heading into 2017 Forsythe was considered a top 10-second baseman, and I believe he can return to form in 2018 and be just that.

The only other infield that can compare to the Dodgers is the World Series champion Houston Astros. With Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa they are very close to the Dodgers infield.

But here is why the Dodgers infield is better.

Position by position we will break this down. Starting at first base. Gurriel is a solid first baseman, but the young Cody Bellinger is just better than him both offensively and defensively. Second base is a no contest with Altuve being so good and the best second baseman in the game.

At shortstop, it is difficult to pick a side. Regarding both offense and defense, I would have to give Corey Seager a very slight edge. Finally at third base Justin Turner when fully healthy is better than Bregman. Thus giving the Dodgers a 3-1 advantage if you compare every position.

Next: Is Hyun-Jin Ryu the best fifth starter in baseball?

This Dodgers infield is exceptional and if Logan Forsythe can get it going as he did late in the season, it will help solidify my opinion even more. This team possesses the best infield in the entire MLB.