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.

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.