This key aspect of Dodgers’ roster is holding Shohei Ohtani back from full potential

In 2024, Shohei Ohtani knocked in a National League-leading 130 runs, primarily as the Dodgers' leadoff batter. Of course, nearly 25% of those were just himself — 32 out of 54 of his NL-leading homers were solo shots — but the highly-touted depth in the lineup worked in his favor for the other 75%.

Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández became basically immovable from the top four spots in the lineup, but the other five fluctuated regularly throughout the season. Still, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and eventually Tommy Edman didn't let the order feel too top-heavy, and bench pieces Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas at the bottom of the order were decent enough at getting themselves on base and setting the table for Ohtani.

Things have panned out differently at the beginning of this year. Through 20 games, Ohtani has just eight RBI, and five of them are just himself on more solo homers. The root cause of this is pretty clear. Ohtani clearly isn't the issue. Rather, the hitters at the bottom of the Dodgers lineup simply aren't getting themselves on base to give him RBI opportunities.

Bottom of the Dodgers lineup is making the rest of the team look bad, including Shohei Ohtani

It's no surprise, then, that Edman, (Teoscar) Hernández, and Will Smith lead the Dodgers in RBI, as they bat more consistently in the heart of the lineup and Ohtani, Betts, and so on have actually managed to get themselves on base. Betts trails Edman and Co. in fourth in RBI as the Dodgers' No. 2 hitter.

Batters 7-9 in the Dodgers' lineup are batting a combined .173 through April 17. Ohtani has historically had some issues with RISP, but had just nine of those opportunities at the plate so far this year.

Dave Roberts was asked whether or not this trend would lead him to move Ohtani down in the order, but it looks like he'll be staying LA's leadoff man for the time being. Roberts said, “I just feel that there's guys who are gonna perform better than they have. Shohei will ultimately get those opportunities."

The Nos. 7-9 hitters did pick it up a bit on Wednesday, during the Dodgers' series finale against the Rockies. Muncy and Andy Pages both enjoyed two-hit nights, and Pages even drove in two runs. Austin Barnes picked up his first hit of the season with an RBI double.

Muncy, Pages, Barnes, (Kiké) Hernández and Rojas are the keys here. Right now, the Dodgers' hitting depth is looking like it's on the brink of being exposed as completely overhyped, and it's up to them to take things a few steps back.