7 Spring Training standouts that will upend Dodgers' roster at some point in 2023

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Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers saw a lot of roster turnover this offseaon, leading to a few voids that created position battles prior to Opening Day. Many Dodgers prospects have put together amazing Spring Training runs with a chance to make the major league roster this season, which has helped put the situation in focus. Elsewhere, veteran players have been duking it out to see who will earn a roster spot or more playing time.

So what will the Opening Day roster look like? Which player performances have upended the picture for the Dodgers? And which performances have given the Dodgers a look into the not-to-distant future in the event help is needed sooner than expected at the onset of the 2023 season?

Spring Training standouts that will upend Dodgers' Opening Day roster

Hunter Feduccia

Feduccia is by far the most surprising story of Spring Training. He would be higher on this list if he had any chance of cracking the Opening Day roster, but his opportunities have come while both MLB catchers, Will Smith and Austin Barnes, were playing for their respective WBC teams. Feduccia, however, has taken the opportunity and made the most of it so far. Out of all Dodgers with 10 or more at-bats, he has the highest OPS (1.462). Not only has he hit well in general, but the timing of his hits have been even more important. In his 15 at-bats, Feduccia has tallied seven hits, and those seven hits have resulted in nine RBI to lead all Dodgers in Spring Training.

Noah Syndergaard

Many have had their doubts about Noah Syndergaard considering his recent injury history and decreased velocity last season, but Syndergaard has put together a great spring. He's the only Dodger besides Ryan Pepiot with nine innings pitched, and in his three games he has only given up one run (on a solo home run). While he only has eight strikeouts, if he can continue to ramp up his velocity throughout the season as he gets healthier, Syndergaard will be an integral part of the Dodgers’ rotation.

Andre Jackson

Jackson, like Gavin Stone and Pepiot, has a few appearances at the major league level. His six innings of work in the spring have resulted in zero runs given up and seven strikeouts. Jackson is not rated as high as the other prospects/young pitchers who are nearing their MLB debuts or have already made them, but the stats speak for themselves. Jackson has inserted himself right into consideration with Stone, Pepiot and other top prospects like Bobby Miller for a call-up in case of any injuries to the Dodgers’ rotation. We wouldn't be surprised if he starts the season in the bullpen, either.

Eddys Leonard

While the Dodgers search for options at the shortstop position because of Gavin Lux's injury, Eddys Leonard has put together a great Spring Training at the right time. While he may be too young to make it to the Opening Day roster, he could be an emergency option if Miguel Rojas, the projected starter at shortstop, is unable to play at any point in the season. Leonard is slashing .409/.435/.591 this spring and is one of only six players with 10 at-bats and an OPS of 1.000 or higher. Leonard, at the very least, has proven that he may be worth a shot as an emergency backup shortstop.

Ryan Pepiot

Pepiot was called up often to the major league squad last year when the Dodgers’ rotation was thin due to injuries. With the potential for Tony Gonsolin to miss time at the start of the season, Pepiot may be due to step up to the same role he was in last year early on in 2023. Pepiot has started four games and pitched nine innings combined in Spring Training. In his outings so far, he has displayed improved control and it has led to a higher strikeout rate. Pepiot has given up two earned runs in those nine innings of work, to go along with 13 strikeouts and just three walks. Unless the Dodgers have a flawless bill of health on the pitching staff this season, Pepiot will see a lot of time in the rotation, and he should make the Opening Day roster as a starter after the injury to Gonsolin. At worst, he's probably the first arm out of the bullpen and/or a spot starter if the rotation is full. Let's just hope his recent injury is nothing serious.

Gavin Stone

Stone hasn't made it to the majors before but is good enough to make the Opening Day roster. Last year, Stone posted a 1.48 ERA across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A and has been more than impressive this spring in his first 6.2 innings. Although his performances are in a small sample size, Stone has not given up a run and has struck out 14 batters (with only five hits and two walks allowed). Run prevention is paramount as a pitcher, but Stone’s early surge in strikeout numbers is a good sign that he can keep this performance going throughout the remainder of the season. Stone's numbers in the spring, alongside his status as a top-five Dodgers prospect, are signs that he can sustain the his current production and either make the Opening Day roster or be called up after just a few more outings at Triple-A.

James Outman

Outman came up to the big leagues for a four-game stint in the middle of the 2022 season and looked very impressive. With the Dodgers moving on from Cody Bellinger this offseason, Outman looked like a prime candidate for a breakout year if he could crack the lineup with a strong Spring Training performance. Outman had some lofty expectations for a minor leaguer considering how well he played with the Dodgers last season (posting a 1.409 OPS in his 16 major league plate appearances), but he has more than reached those expectations.

Outman is hitting .265 with an .895 OPS with a double, a triple, two homers and eight RBI. The one knock on Outman is his tendency to swing and miss. Although he has struggled recently, Outman has still remained one of the Dodgers' top hitters this spring. Those numbers, in spite of the recent slump, might be enough to land Outman on the Opening Day lineup, especially given the struggles of veteran outfielders Chris Taylor and Jayson Heyward.

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