The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a powerhouse since their inception in 1883. From the days of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale to the current era of Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger, the Dodgers have always been known for their all-star players. With the 2022 season rapidly approaching, the question on everyone’s mind is, who is the best player on the Dodgers 2022?
Clayton Kershaw: The Ace
When it comes to the Dodgers, one name stands out above the rest: Clayton Kershaw. The 11-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner is one of the greatest pitchers of all time and has been the anchor of the Dodgers starting rotation since he made his debut in 2008. He has been the ace of the Dodgers since day one and has led the team to three World Series appearances in the last five years.
Kershaw is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball and is still at the top of his game at the age of 34. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last nine seasons, and his career ERA of 2.44 is the lowest among active pitchers. He has also been very durable, making at least 26 starts in each of the last nine seasons, and is on pace to do so again in 2022.
Mookie Betts: The 5-Tool Player
When the Dodgers acquired Mookie Betts from the Red Sox in 2020, they knew they were getting a special player. Betts is a five-tool player who can do it all. He is an excellent hitter, capable of hitting for both power and average. He is a great baserunner, with speed and an ability to read pitchers and steal bases. He is an above-average defender, with the ability to cover ground and make highlight-reel plays. And he is a leader on the team, setting an example with his work ethic and hustle.
Betts has been one of the best players in the league since he debuted in 2014, and he has only gotten better since joining the Dodgers. In 2020, he posted a .292/.366/.562 slash line with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs in just 53 games. He also led the team in runs scored (37), stolen bases (15) and total bases (126). He is one of the most exciting players in the game and is sure to be a key contributor for the Dodgers in 2022.
Cody Bellinger: The MVP Candidate
Cody Bellinger has been one of the most consistent players in baseball since he debuted in 2017. He is a two-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won the National League MVP Award in 2019. Bellinger is a terrific hitter, with a career slash line of .282/.368/.542 and an OPS+ of 130. He has also hit at least 30 home runs in three of the last four seasons, and is a threat to go deep at any time.
Bellinger is also a great fielder, with a career defensive WAR of 8.3. He has won the Gold Glove Award in each of the last two seasons and is a finalist for the award in 2021. He has the ability to go get the ball in the outfield and make diving catches, as well as the range to make the routine plays. He is sure to be an MVP candidate again in 2022 and could be the best player on the Dodgers.
Corey Seager: The Unsung Hero
Corey Seager is the unsung hero of the Dodgers. He wasn’t highly touted when he was drafted in 2012, but he has developed into one of the best shortstops in the game. Seager is an excellent hitter, with a career slash line of .285/.349/.496 and an OPS+ of 121. He is also a great defender, with a career defensive WAR of 11.3. He won the Gold Glove Award in 2018 and was a finalist in 2019 and 2020.
Seager was limited to just 26 games in 2020 due to injury, but he is expected to be back and healthy in 2022. He is sure to be an important part of the Dodgers in 2022, and could be one of the best players on the team.
Other Notable Players
Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler is one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball. He made his debut in 2018 and has quickly become one of the best pitchers in the league. He has a career ERA of 3.14 and a career WHIP of 1.05 and is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game. He is sure to be an important part of the Dodgers in 2022 and could be the best pitcher on the team.
Max Muncy
Max Muncy is another key player for the Dodgers. He is an excellent hitter, with a career slash line of .254/.353/.503 and an OPS+ of 115. He has also been a great defender, with a career defensive WAR of 8.4. He is sure to be an important part of the Dodgers in 2022 and could be one of the best players on the team.
Justin Turner
Justin Turner is one of the most consistent players on the Dodgers. He has been a key contributor since joining the team in 2014 and is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He is an excellent hitter, with a career slash line of .295/.367/.504 and an OPS+ of 125. He is also a great defender, with a career defensive WAR of 5.3. He is sure to be an important part of the Dodgers in 2022 and could be one of the best players on the team.
Will Smith
Will Smith is one of the best catchers in baseball. He is an excellent hitter, with a career slash line of .255/.343/.471 and an OPS+ of 112. He is also a great defender, with a career defensive WAR of 7.0. He won the Gold Glove Award in 2020 and is sure to be an important part of the Dodgers in 2022.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a roster full of all-star players, and it is impossible to pick just one player who is the best. It could be Clayton Kershaw, the ace of the pitching staff. It could be Mookie Betts, the five-tool player. It could be Cody Bellinger, the two-time MVP candidate. It could be Corey Seager, the unsung hero. It could be Walker Buehler, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, or Will Smith.
At the end of the day, the best player on the Dodgers in 2022 is up to interpretation. But one thing is certain: the Dodgers are sure to have one of the best teams in baseball, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.
Keywords: Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Walker Buehler, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Will Smith.