The Los Angeles Dodgers cruised to a seventh consecutive National League West title last season, winning a franchise-best 106 games while receiving contributions from a wide range of players on the 40-man roster.
Despite a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Washington Nationals in the NL Division Series, the club remains in excellent shape heading into the 2020 season.
Most of the Dodgers’ core players are set to return for another year, while there are rumblings the organization could look to make a splashy acquisition before Spring Training.
With the new year officially underway, many Dodgers players expressed their excitement for the upcoming season. Kiké Hernandez, Gavin Lux and Ross Stripling are among those already counting down the days until Opening Day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wh3lLpvW9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6v0egtgGXN/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wMXa6A2Ks/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wdTXOnF-v/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6weZgaANgw/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5nbji5FGu-/
Hernandez played all over the diamond last season, seeing time at seven different positions. At the plate, he produced a .237/.304/.411 batting line with 19 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 64 RBI in 130 games.
The 2019 season was a historic one for Lux, who put up unworldly numbers in the Minors before making an impact for the Dodgers down the stretch. He posted a .705 on-base plus slugging in 28 regular-season games before making history in his first postseason at-bat.
As for Stripling, he continued thriving in his familiar swingman role, making 15 starts and 17 additional appearances out of the bullpen. Stripling overall went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 90.2 innings of work.
Matt Beaty was one of 10 rookies and first-year players to appear in a game for the Dodgers last season. He was one of the more productive ones, hitting .265/.317/.458 with 29 extra-base hits, 46 RBI and five stolen bases in 99 games.
Like Beaty, Edwin Rios earned his first promotion to the Major League level last season. In just 56 plate appearances over 28 games, he accumulated two doubles, one triple, four home runs and eight RBI — good for a 1.010 OPS and 162 OPS+.
Kyle Garlick also shined in the opportunities he received during the 2019 season, hitting .250/.321/.468 with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI over 53 trips to the plate (30 games).
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
