Dodgers: Three Bold Player Predictions for the 2018 Season

Ever since taking over the role of closer, Jansen has gotten better every single year. In 2017 he posted a career-best 1.32 ERA with 41 saves. Jansen also put up an unreal 15.57 K/BB ratio. He is the most dominant closer in the game today. Kenley finished 5^th in Cy Young voting last season and made his second consecutive all-star game.

Here’s why Jansen has a shot at it. If he can improve his strikeout to walk ratio again, it would put him back in the top five at least. In an era of baseball where pitch count is always an issue, starting pitchers innings are getting lowered yearly, while the importance of a reliable closer has just about reached its peak. Voters have always been reluctant to vote for a reliever to win the award.

However, Jansen has already proven that writers could be easily swayed with productive enough numbers. Finishing in the top 5 last season will work to his advantage. Despite going up against the likes of Scherzer and Kershaw, Jansen could be the choice if he has himself yet another career year for the Dodgers

The last reliever to win the award was Eric Gagne back in 2003. Kenley is in a similar position to Gagne before he entered his Cy Young year. Gagne finished 4^th in 2002 before winning the award the following year. Jansen finished 5^th and had a real chance to win the award and be the 3^rd Dodger reliever to bring home that prestigious award.

2. Logan Forsythe makes his first all-star game

The Dodgers were in the market for a second baseman and proceeded to acquire Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2017 season. He entered 2017 as the “savior” for the second base position that had been a question mark. However, a rough start to the season followed by an injury led to a sour welcome in Los Angeles.

Even when he returned he continued to struggle. That was until he made an adjustment to his approach at the plate late in the season and into the playoffs. He would become much more aggressive at the plate as he would take on a less pressure-filled role with the emergence of Bellinger and Taylor.

That plays a huge factor. Forsythe was asked to do a lot for this team when he was brought in, and it may have overwhelmed him. He looked much more comfortable taking a step back in the lineup and relaxing his approach. During the playoffs, Forsythe hit .297 and was so important to the team with his versatility.

I believe he will carry that momentum with him into 2018. His refined approach seemed to help him a lot. His defense was solid all year and add offense, and he could find himself in his first ever mid-summer classic. Also, the NL second base position is not nearly as deep as the AL, so that helps his chances even more.

3. Seager and Bellinger out homer Judge and Stanton

Perhaps the boldest statement of the bunch considering Stanton hit 59 bombs by himself while the Dodger dup combined for 61. But hear me out. Before last season Stanton’s career high in home runs was 37. It is my personal belief that Judge will not be able to replicate the success he had last year, at least not to the same extent.

Even then it would take a phenomenal power year for Seager and Bellinger to eclipse the two giants in the Bronx. The two combined for 111 home runs last season. Even if they both regress by 10-15 home runs each Bellinger and Seager would still have to get to at least 80 combined home runs to have a real shot.

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Cody Bellinger could find himself at 40 home runs or more. Last season he got to 39 without playing the first couple of weeks during the season and spending some time on the disabled list. That is a span of 25-30 games missed that Bellinger could have gotten to 40. I think after being exposed during the playoffs Belly will make improvements this off season and come back just as good.

I believe if everything goes right Bellinger can give LA 45 home runs. Now for Seager. He was banged up all last season and his power numbers diminished, but he saw the ball better as he improved his OBP. Seager when healthy and his pure swing could get him to the 30 home run mark. Maybe even up to 35 if he really has a good stretch.

Next: Can the Dodgers count on Julio Urias in 2018?

This is unlikely but it wouldn’t, but there is a reason it is called bold predictions. It would take career years from Bellinger and Seager. All the while seeing Stanton and Judge take a dip down. But there is a possibility of this. Even if it is slim.