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Dodgers Dark Horse candidates for every major MLB award
The Los Angeles Dodgers have undoubtedly created one of the most talented teams in the entirety of the league. Having a team with as much star power as the Dodgers means there's always a chance someone will be recognized at the end of the year with an award.
This year, the Dodgers have very clear cut candidates for the MVP and Cy Young awards in the National League. These players include Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and even Yoshinobu Yamamoto, despite having never thrown an MLB regular season pitch.
Breakout seasons happen every year in every sport, so let’s take a look at some other names on the Dodgers, who, by November, could hear their names called to be presented with the most prestigious individual awards in baseball.
Dodgers Dark Horse Candidates for MLB Awards in 2024: National League MVP
Will Smith
It’s going to be very difficult to outshine players like Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani, but Will Smith is still one of the best catchers in the MLB. This is a position that has declined in offensive production over the years, which might be why a catcher hasn’t won an MVP award since Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants did back in 2012.
However, Will Smith does not fit that mold. His Baseball Savant page is littered with the color red on both offense and defense, which indicates elite skills on both sides. Smith does not strike out, does not chase or whiff, walks often, and is now batting cleanup to one of the best one, two, three combos ever assembled.
Smith could absolutely fill up his RBI numbers this year and take advantage of being behind that three-headed monster of Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani. There is no time to breathe for opposing pitchers, as once you are through them, you are now faced with one of the game's best hitting catchers, who could sneakily put up MVP numbers.
National League Cy Young
Bobby Miller
With Clayton Kershaw set to miss time due to injury, the only regular starter from last season in the rotation to open the year is Bobby Miller. He is coming off an impressive rookie campaign for the Dodgers, where he pitched 124.1 innings with a 3.76 ERA. Miller was very consistent and reliable for the Dodgers, as only Kershaw pitched more innings than him, which you might not like for the 35-year-old.
Miller is now projected to be the third starter for the Dodgers, following two big offseason acquisitions, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. At just 24 years of age, it would not be a surprise to see Miller take a big jump this year and possibly even become the Dodgers ace by the end of the season. Again, if you do not like the color red, I would avoid Bobby Miller's Baseball Savant page.
Comeback Player of the Year
Gavin Lux
Touted to be the Dodgers' starting shortstop last season, Gavin Lux faced a devastating injury that cost him a year of playing in the MLB. This spring training has shown that Lux is still climbing that hill (subscription required) to become the player that he once was.
While this award is not always given to a player returning from a major injury, if Lux is able to find what he had going on pre-injury, it would be quite the comeback story, and hard not to consider him for the honors.
When you add those two obstacles together, it shows that Lux has a lot to overcome in order to win this award, which is why he is the perfect dark horse.
Gold Glove
James Outman
Another impactful rookie the Dodgers had last season was James Outman. He showed a good blend of power, with 23 home runs, and speed, as he stole 16 bases. In fact, he provided some of the best baserunning value in all of baseball last year.
But, being good on the bases doesn’t win you Gold Gloves; obviously, fielding does. Well, luckily for Outman, he’s really good in the field as well. He utilized that combination of speed and strength in centre field to be in the 94th percentile in outs above average in 2023.
Outman quickly became a great Cody Bellinger replacement for the Dodgers, and, like Miller, he can still get much better in 2024.
Silver Slugger
Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy
In a lineup full of sluggers, no one would really be surprised if either Teoscar Hernández, who won this award in 2021, or Max Muncy went on to win one. But, relative to the other names in this lineup, these two could be considered dark horses, right?
For Hernández, outside of a shortened 2020 season, he’s a lock for 22+ home runs a year. Last year, despite playing at a pitcher-friendly field in T-Mobile Park, he still slashed .258/.305/.435 with an OPS of .741. Muncy also has loads of power; if he is able to have a more disciplined season at the plate while keeping his power numbers up, he will be one of the best offensive third basemen in baseball.
Both of these players are well known for their offensive abilities and can greatly benefit from the players surrounding them. If one of them can get hot and stay hot, there is always a chance they can walk away with some hardware when November rolls around.
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