While ranking of prospects is typically the most-used means of a list when it comes to Major League Baseball, ESPN recently released their ranking of the top 100 players. The Los Angeles Dodgers placed six players in the MLBRank list, led by Clayton Kershaw at No. 2.
He checked in behind Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim center fielder Mike Trout. Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was ranked second last season and this year swapped spots with Kershaw. The list was released prior to Kershaw suffering a lower back strain.
The Dodgers were also represented by Corey Seager at No. 13, Kenley Jansen at No. 45, Cody Bellinger (No. 47), Justin Turner (68) and Yasmani Grandal (90).
Kershaw this season is 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA, 2.93 FIP and 0.88 WHIP in 21 starts. He currently leads the Majors in wins, ERA and is second to Nationals ace Max Scherzer in WHIP.
Seager saw the biggest jump of any player from last year’s ranking, as he came in at No. 97 in 2016. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year is quietly having a stellar season, batting .308/.400/.553 with 29 doubles, 19 home runs and 55 RBI.
Presumably buoyed by a strong showing in the playoffs last year that carried into this season, Jansen jumped three spots from his previous spot in ESPN’s MLBRank. He’s 5-0 with 28 saves in 29 opportunities, and has pitched to a 1.30 ERA with 75 strikeouts against four walks in 48.1 innings.
Bellinger burst onto the scene in April and is tied for third overall with 32 home runs. He’s hitting .264/.344/.608, and leads the Dodgers in home runs and with 75 RBI.
Like Bellinger, Turner and Grandal both made their debuts on the MLBRank this season. Turner is having a career year, batting .349/.443/.547 with 20 doubles, 13 home runs and 46 RBI in 85 games.
Grandal is hitting .268/.315/.471 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 41 RBI in 89 games. In addition to their respective production at the plate, Turner has played Gold-Glove caliber defense at third base, while Grandal is among the game’s best pitch-framers.
