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3 under-the-radar Dodgers players off to a good start in 2023
Rarely does the term "under-the-radar" appear when talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers. The franchise is one of the most recognizable in all of sports. But the 2023 season has seen some under-the-radar performances in the early going.
LA hasn't gotten out of the blocks very quickly, but they lead the division in run differential. Most Dodgers fans know that this team has the horses to get it done. However, there have been some unexpected contributions this season.
With that in mind, let's take a look at three under-the-radar players who've gotten off to good start to begin the 2023 season, shall we?
3. Dodgers OF Trayce Thompson has gotten off to a good start.
Trayce Thompson had a solid showing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022, and is back once again in 2023. In 74 games with LA last season, Thompson posted a slash line of .268/.364/.537 with 13 home runs and 39 runs batted in. But it still felt as though Thompson didn't really get his due.
However, the 32-year-old is out to prove himself once again in 2023 and is off to a hot start. Thompson is currently leading the Dodgers in slugging percentage and OPS. He's currently second in home runs and third on the team in RBI.
Thompson had his best professional season in 2022, but he's out to prove that last year was no fluke. With players like Mookie Betts, James Outman, Chris Taylor, and David Peralta on the team, Thompson can't take his foot off the gas, or he'll risk losing his spot on the roster.
Trayce Thompson has put up quite the under-the-radar performance in 2023 thus far, and the LA faithful are hopeful that it continues. While it's unlikely that he'll ever be a regular in Dave Roberts' lineup, if he keep contributing, he'll continue to receive opportunities.
2. Dodgers RHP Phil Bickford has gotten off to a good start.
I'm not really sure what Dodgers fans thought they were going to get from Phil Bickford, but it probably wasn't 12 punchouts in six relief appearances. Bickford's ERA isn't necessarily pretty, but the right-hander has the ability to flat-out put opposing batters away.
Bickford owns a 4.26 ERA, but according to FanGraphs, his xFIP is 2.40. That suggests that Bickford has been a bit unlucky. He has a strikeout rate of 46.2 percent and a walk rate of just 3.8 percent.
The erratic right-hander's strikeout numbers were always better than average, but what we're seeing right now is insane. Bickford is sitting down nearly every other batter he faces. That's just unheard of.
Can he keep it up? The Dodgers fans certainly hope so. Shelby Miller has looked good at times, but five free passes in 5.2 innings pitches is not good. Andre Jackson has been solid, but just six punchouts in 6.1 innings can't compare to the numbers that Bickford is putting up at the moment.
Phil Bickford has put up some great numbers while flying under the radar. The Los Angeles Dodgers will need him to keep it up, with relievers like Alex Vesia, Brusard Graterol, and Yency Almonte struggling to begin the year.
1. Dodgers OF James Outman has gotten off to a good start.
James Outman had a cup of coffee last season, appearing in just four games. But the talent was obviously there. Even in a small sample size, Outman posted a 1.409 OPS and six hits in 13 at-bats. Three of those went for extra bases.
It might be a bit of an exaggeration to call Outman under-the-radar, as he is one of the Dodgers' top prospects, but it's doubtful that many thought the 25-year-old would get off to this type of start during his rookie season.
Outman is second only to the aforementioned Trayce Thompson in OPS. His three home runs are tied for third on the team, and his .684 slugging percentage trails only Thompson and Jason Heyward.
James Outman leads all National League rookies in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, and OPS. It's early, but I'm not sure many pundits and experts saw this one coming. After such a quick start, Outman won't stay under the radar for very long.
While these under-the-radar players have been a pleasant surprise to begin the 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to need players like Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, and Noah Syndergaard to play up to their potential as the season moves into the summer.
Next. Dodgers starting lineup of the all-time greats. dark