Dodgers: Going up and down the roster and grading the offense

The Infield

For these and all of the grades for each segment of the roster, I grade them based on how well they performed and how well they did compared to how their role dictated they should do.

Catcher

Will Smith – With 15 home runs in 54 games, Smith was one of the best of the rookies to burst onto the scene for LA this season. He didn’t hit much of anything in the postseason, but that’s to be expected of a rookie. His defense and batting average can only improve as he ages, and to take on the starting catching role as a rookie for a playoff team is a hugely pressure-filled task. A-

Russell Martin– Sure, he only hit .220, but unlike Austin Barnes, he provided valuable playoff ABs for the team, along with a .259 batting average and 14 RBI with runners in scoring position. Plus, he was a position player who pitched beautifully in what might have been his last season. B-

Austin Barnes– Wow, did his stock fall. Through 75 games he hit .203 with 5 home runs. He was relegated to the minor leagues, where he actually managed to find a power stroke for the first few weeks. All told, it’s unlikely Barnes sticks with the team come 2020, even if his trade value is next to nothing. D

First Base

David Freese– The clutch 36-year old had four hits in eight NLDS at-bats. He also hit .315/.403/.599 over the course of the regular season, with 11 home runs in his 162 ABs. He dealt with injuries and yet he still managed to hit well off of both lefties and righties, with even better numbers against righties. Hopefully, he doesn’t hang up the spikes before the 2020 campaign. A

Matt Beaty– With three singles in his first four postseason games, Beaty did well for himself at the plate. If Freese retires, he may become the full-time first baseman for the team. In his first 249 ABs in the bigs, Beaty smacked nine home runs and 19 doubles to go along with a .265 AVG. His only problem? He hit .298 off righties and below .150 off of lefties. He’ll need to be better in 2020 if he wants the gig. B- 

Second Base

Max Muncy– With three home runs, seven RBI, and more walks than strikeouts, he was the Dodgers best postseason hitter, even though he only hit .263. That says a lot about his growing role with the team. His breakout 2018 was solidified this season as he smacked the third-most homers on the team with 35 and walked the most out of all qualifying Dodgers at over 15% on his way to being named an All-Star. He’s one of the best hitting second basemen in the sport, especially in the power department, and his defense is improving. A

Gavin Lux– He’s only 21, so it’s tough to grade him on anything other than his potential. If he can fill the shoes of Muncy at second, that’ll push Mad Max over to first base, making Beaty more of a utility man and pinch hitter, which would help balance the lineup and add defense and speed overall. Incomplete

Enrique Hernandez– He’s still a utility man, and he likely will be in 2020, despite a strong first month of the season. Kiké is still a fan-favorite, and for good reason, so he should be back in LA next season with a similar role. He hit .237 with 17 homers and played literally every position on the field. B

Shortstop

Corey Seager– The number that sticks out from his season is “3”.  That’s how many hits he recorded in 20 playoff ABs. Yet, he still managed 40+ doubles and nearly reached the 20-homer plateau during the regular season. His defense and power will continue to improve with time, though his batting average is what he really needs to bring back to his Rookie of the Year level. He’s got a long way to go before he fills the role of “star.” C+

Chris Taylor– Hitting .262 with 12 home runs and eight steals, CT3 maintained his utility status with a few hot streaks, mostly coming in between his injury stints that spanned the entire season. The fastest Dodger, Taylor’s role could expand if he is traded to another team this offseason, though he certainly provides value to the oft-injured Dodgers. C+

Third Base

Justin Turner– Once again, Turner did not play 162 games. He did play 135 though, his most since 2016. The numbers don’t lie either, he had his most balanced season in 2019, with a tie for his career-high with 27 home runs and a .290 AVG. He was no slouch in the postseason either, hitting .286 with two homers and five RBI. Despite his defense deteriorating slightly year over year, he’s still a viable All-Star option at the hot corner. A