Los Angeles Dodgers: Cody Bellinger
For the first time in at least five years, Clayton Kershaw is not the easy pick for best player on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The star left-hander has dealt with too many injuries over the last three years and opens this year on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Kershaw’s velocity has also been declining, and last season he posted his lowest strikeout rate since 2013. Never count out the 31-year-old, three-time Cy Young, but it looks like the Dodgers will have to count on the rest of their roster more than ever to hold off a set of very strong NL West challengers.
The Dodgers have been to the World Series twice in a row, but this is not necessarily a roster with overwhelming star power. Rather, the Dodgers are able to spend enough money to make sure each position is filled with a very good player, but not necessarily a superstar. Every player in the lineup and starting rotation could play for a contender, and that’s really what it takes to field a winner.
Taking Kershaw out of the mix — and keep in mind that he could very well return and take back his title as best player on the Dodgers — we’re left with a choice between Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger and Kenley Jansen. Seager is coming off a serious elbow injury and Turner also has his own health concerns. It’s hard to call a closer the best player on a championship contender, leaving Bellinger as the pick.
Last season was Bellinger’s first full MLB season after bursting onto the scene in 2017. He followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with 25 home runs and 76 RBI. Bellinger is off to an even stronger start in 2019, and leads the NL in virtually every major offensive category. He has seven home runs and 19 RBI through his first 12 games.