Ranking Dodgers players who will benefit from new MLB rule changes

The new MLB rule changes for the 2023 season are here. Enjoy them. You have no choice! The ghost runner is permanent. There will be bigger bases. There are defense shift limitations. Pitchers will be on a timer.

Which Los Angeles Dodgers will be disadvantaged? We already took a look at that. How about we keep the positivity train rolling and look at who will benefit? Somebody has to, right?

It's a big year of change for the Dodgers, who will welcome a number of new players (both young and old) after watching portions of the most recent era of dominant LA baseball depart over the last couple offseasons. On top of that, they'll be faced with adapting to the ever-evolving game.

If the Dodgers have proven one thing over the last decade, though, it's that they're resilient and resourceful. Even if some players have a tough time with the new rules, it won't be long before they figure it out.

As for those who could benefit right off the bat, those guys will help the Dodgers avoid a lengthy adjustment period.

Ranking Dodgers players who will benefit from 2023 MLB rule changes

JD Martinez

Let's start off with a joke, because this is all about having fun anyway. Dodgers fans might not remember, but in September of last year, JD Martinez cost the Red Sox in a big way with a baserunning gaffe.

In the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded and one out, Martinez hit a slow roller to shortstop. Isiah Kiner-Falefa came in, fielded it cleanly, threw it to Gleyber Torres at second base to get the first out, and then Torres fired it over to first, but the throw wasn't in time. Martinez was ruled safe and the Red Sox inched closer with the score now 4-3.

But wait a minute! The Yankees reviewed the play and it was revealed Martinez completely missed the bag when running down the first base line.

Woof. But that won't happen with the bigger bags, baby! And for Martinez, who's slowing down big time (and was already slow to begin with), every inch counts. Next time, that big toe will catch the base and the inning will continue.

Ryan Pepiot

Ryan Pepiot figures to be a bigger part of the Dodgers' plans in 2023 after the pitching losses suffered this offseason. The 25-year-old appeared in nine games (making seven starts) last year and finished 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 42 strikeouts across 36.1 innings of work.

Some issues remain, however. He surrendered 1.5 HR/9 and 6.7 BB/9. Not good. That helps explain his 5.42 FIP. Nothing that can't be fixed, though. It was a good debut season for the right-hander and we can expect a leap forward this time around.

Some might think the pitch clock might mess with a younger player, but Pepiot actually had a 16.4-second tempo in between pitches when he was on the mound last year. That was good for 82nd in MLB and fourth among Dodgers pitchers. With runners in base, that number went up to 21.7 seconds ... but that was first among Dodgers pitchers (and 76th in MLB).

The pitch clock will feature a 30-second timer in between batters, 20-second timer with runners on base in between pitches, and 15-second timer with no runners on base in between pitches. Maybe Pepiot won't be a top percentile beneficiary, but he certainly can continue working through his rhythm and groove without any changes, and that's important for a developing pitcher.

Clayton Kershaw

Don't think you need a crash course on Kershaw. He moves quickly and ranked 61st in MLB with a 16-second tempo with the bases empty and 166th with a 22.9-second tempo when there were runners on. Only reason for that increase is because of his pickoff strategy, which could be an issue since pitchers can now only try two attempts before a failed third pickoff attempt advances the runner, but it's probably important to remember that most of Kershaw's work is done with nobody on the paths.

He has a career 1.00 WHIP. That'll do most of the talking for the left-hander.