Dodgers: Ranking the best second basemen in franchise history

5) Jeff Kent

I still don’t like putting Jeff Kent on a list of great Dodger players, after experiencing his dominance when he was playing for the hated San Francisco Giants. Before that, Kent was a New York Met, so not much better. That said, the rival second baseman ended his career in Los Angeles, proving to be an effective hitter even at an advanced age.

From 2005-2008, Kent was a force at the plate, hitting 75 home runs, batting .291 and slugging an impressive .479. His wRC+, which is a park and league adjusted measure of his hitting prowess, ranks third all-time among qualified Dodger second basemen.

Kent’s first season with the Dodgers really stands out, and despite only playing four seasons in Los Angeles, helps make the case for why he should be included on this list. The middle infielder clubbed 29 home runs, batted .289/.377/.512, and won the Silver Slugger Award. He was the best Dodger hitter in a variety of statistical categories that season. It is arguably one of the best offensive seasons by a second baseman by a Dodger not named Jackie Robinson.

Kent also came up big for the Dodgers in their 2006 NLDS match-up against his former team, the Mets. Despite losing the series, Kent was impossible to get out, hitting 8-13 (.615) in those three games.