When looking at The Shredder’s top-10 player rankings at each position heading into 2026, it’s difficult not to feel bullish about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chances to win their third consecutive World Series title.
The Shredder is MLB Network’s statistical model that emphasizes WAR, wRC+, and other metrics to create its annual rankings. Using a three-year sample, a player’s previous season weighs heavily in their determinations.
The Dodgers had eight players make this year’s list, one at almost every position on the field and a reliever. Freddie Freeman was the only one to nab the top spot at his position, but four others were also in the top-3.
Dodgers on The Shredder rankings for 2025
Catcher: Will Smith, No. 3
Smith had the best offensive season of his career in 2025, batting .296/.404/.497 with 20 doubles and 17 home runs.
The seven-year veteran made his third straight All-Star team and received the second All-MLB Second Team selection of his career. He has been chosen as a top three catcher in the Majors every season since his first time on The Shredder’s list in 2021.
First base: Freddie Freeman, No. 1
Freeman was chosen as the league’s top first baseman for a third straight season after posting a 139 wRC+ last season. Over the past three seasons, he has graded out 47% better than the average hitter.
It’s his 13th consecutive season featured in The Shredder’s rankings.
Third base: Max Muncy, No. 2
Max Muncy is the second-highest ranked Dodgers player this year, coming in just below José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians.
Muncy was previously ranked at No. 8 by The Shredder heading into 2025. It is a significant jump, but well-earned for the long-time veteran. His 2024 season gave reason to believe his career was on the upswing, and he paid it off in a big way.
His wRC+ and on-base percentage led all MLB third basemen with at least 250 plate appearances in 2025. Over the past two seasons, he ranks second among MLB third basemen with a 135 wRC+ and fourth with a .480 slugging percentage.
Shortstop: Mookie Betts, No. 5
Mookie Betts spent his offseason getting his body right and recalibrating his swing after an illness derailed his 2025 season. Despite a drop-off in production at the plate, he played Gold Glove-caliber defense in his first full season at shortstop.
He could factor into the National League MVP Race with a bounce-back season in the batter’s box.
Center Field: Andy Pages, No. 6
Andy Pages’s breakout season in 2025 flew under the radar, but not anymore with his placement as the No. 6 center fielder in 2026.
He showed remarkable improvement at the plate and in the field, with 27 home runs, a 113 wRC+ and some off-the-charts defensive metrics.
Right Field: Kyle Tucker, No. 3
Kyle Tucker had a strong season in his first and only season with the Chicago Cubs, batting .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 91 runs scored, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.
His defense was the weak link in his game last season, but the Dodgers feel they can get more out of him.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went so far as to say he believes Tucker can win a Gold Glove this season.
The outfielder has been an extremely productive player over the last three seasons, despite not grading out well as a defender.
Starting pitcher: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, No. 7
Yoshinobu Yamamoto received his first top 10 ranking after an excellent 2025 season and historic postseason performance. The right-hander shook off an injury-plagued rookie season in the Majors to show exactly why the Dodgers gave him a massive contract two seasons ago.
Yamamoto made his first All-Star team in 2025, going 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, surpassing 200 strikeouts, and setting career highs in innings pitched (173.2) and starts (30).
Relief pitcher: Edwin Díaz, No. 3
Edwin Díaz was the Dodgers’ other big splash of the offseason, along with Tucker. The right-hander made The Shredder’s top 10 for the first time since 2024.
Díaz was dominant with the New York Mets last season, collecting 28 saves to go along with a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. He earned a third career All-Star Game selection and was voted the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year for a second time.
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