The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2024 season with one of the most talented rosters in recent memory, led by new additions Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and former MVP Award winners Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
For as much attention as the aforementioned players get, the Dodgers roster also features a slew of homegrown players such as Will Smith, Andy Pages, Gavin Lux, Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone, among others.
Smith has developed into an All-Star catcher, while Pages and Lux have taken on starting roles this season. Miller was part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation but has since landed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, and Stone has run away with a spot in the rotation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the organization’s player development and scouting departments for consistently being able to churn talent, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“I think that whole narrative of how we spend overall on payroll gets lost when you’re talking about how we can backfill with homegrown players,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Shout out to Billy Gasparino [vice president of baseball operations] and our player development and scouting guys. … I think we identify a lot of good talent, a lot of good makeup players, and we develop them.”
While the Dodgers are routinely at the top of the payroll list, their ability to identify and develop players cannot be discounted. It is one of the biggest reasons why the club has made 11 consecutive trips to the postseason since 2013.
Dodgers vice president of baseball operations Billy Gasparino, vice president of scouting David Finley and vice president of player performance Brandon McDaniel are just a few of the front office executives who deserve credit for the organization being able to sustain their success.
Dodgers downplay criticism of payroll
In response to critics accusing the Dodgers of trying to buy a World Series championship, Freeman praised ownership and the front office for going above and beyond to improve the team’s chances each season.
“Believe me, I wished ‘buying a championship’ means we’d win a championship. But I think everyone in this game knows how hard it is to win a championship,” Freeman began.
“I’m just glad our ownership gave us the best chance to do it. That’s all you can really ask for as players, to give us the best chance to win a World Series this year and many, many more beyond.
“That’s your ultimate goal. To be a fanbase that has an ownership that is going to do that, I think it’s exciting.”
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