Dodgers: Predicting the 30-man roster as summer camp opens

Predicting the Dodgers 30-man roster: Everyday Players

Let’s start with the obvious choices. The Dodgers have a few positions where we could see a platoon situation, but there are at least five players who should play everyday.

• Mookie Betts, RF
• Cody Bellinger, CF
• Max Muncy, 1B
• Corey Seager, SS
• Justin Turner, 3B

On top of the five players listed above, we can include four more who might not play everyday, but will come close.

• Joc Pederson, LF/DH
• AJ Pollock, LF/DH
• Will Smith C
• Gavin Lux, 2B

The bench players who will fill in for these players include Austin Barnes (C), Enrique Hernandez (UTIL), Matt Beaty (UTIL), and Chris Taylor (UTIL).

With the designated hitter coming to the National League this season, manager Dave Roberts can probably get away with a shorter bench. Teams will be allowed to travel with an emergency taxi squad of up to three players, including a catcher. So I would expect the Dodgers will use their final bench spot on an extra fielder rather than worrying about carrying an extra backstop on their active roster.

With 13 players already listed above, the Dodgers will probably carry one more player on the bench. Right now, I expect that player to be Edwin Rios (UTIL).