👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Los Angeles Dodgers: 2017 Fantasy MLB Team Preview and Outlooks

Spring training is officially underway, which means that it's time to get ready for your fantasy baseball drafts. As part of RotoBaller's ongoing effort to help you win your leagues, we're previewing all 30 MLB teams. In these articles, we discuss each team's offseason moves, as well as their hitters, pitchers, and prospects.

Today's installment covers the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers Team Outlook, and previews their potential fantasy baseball contributions.

Editor's note: for even more draft prep, visit our awesome 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It has lots of in-depth staff rankings and draft strategy columns. You will find tiered rankings for every position, 2017 impact rookie rankings, AL/NL only league ranks and lots more. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Offseason moves

Most of the Dodgers’ offseason moves involved bringing back prominent players after they tested free agency. Justin Turner, Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Chase Utley were all members of the 2016 Dodgers who the team let test free agency this offseason, but they all agreed to contracts to rejoin the team. The Dodgers said goodbye to outfielder Josh Reddick, veteran utility man Howie Kendrick and oft-injured lefty starter Brett Anderson. They also added a new potential leadoff man in acquiring second baseman Logan Forsythe from Tampa via trade, and signed veteran free agent reliever Sergio Romo.

 

Hitting overview

The Dodgers have a number of fantasy options in the lineup and at the top of that list in reigning N.L. Rookie of the Year Corey Seager. He was already a highly-touted young prospect going into the 2016 season, but he took it to another level, slashing .308/.365/.512 and finishing with a 6.1 WAR, second in the N.L. He’ll be snatched up in fantasy drafts by the end of the second round.

Fantasy owners will also find some good options elsewhere on the Dodgers infield. Justin Turner was brought back after testing free agency after a career year in which he hit .275/.339/.493 and was quite the fantasy value. He won’t fly under the radar as much this year and is a top-10 third baseman going into 2017. Logan Forsythe should provide good pop and run-scoring ability if he gets consistent at-bats atop the Dodgers’ lineup, and veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez’s consistency and track record keep him ranked among the top-15 first basemen, even after a down year in 2016. Yasmani Grandal was a bargain for fantasy owners who grabbed him in the late rounds last season, as he really emerged as the Dodgers starter and led all fantasy eligible catchers in home runs in 2016 with 27. His power and OBP skills get him ranked as RotoBaller’s sixth best catcher going into 2017.

The waters get a little muddier for fantasy owners in the Dodgers’ outfield, but Joc Pederson still has plenty of upside and is only 24 going into 2017. Pederson hit .246/.352/.495 with 25 homers last season, mostly playing against right handed pitching. The Dodgers have indicated they hope to get him in more playing time against lefty pitching this season, so if he can emerge as a more of an everyday player this season, he could end up being a fantasy bargain if picked up in the middle rounds. All eyes will be on Yasiel Puig in Spring Training, as he’s mostly been a fantasy disappointment in recent years. The Dodgers still hope he can reign in his talent and force his way into the everyday lineup, but after an up-and-down 2016 – literally – he will need to show some real improvement. Fantasy owners should also keep their eyes on Andrew Toles, who had a .314/.365/.505 line in 115 plate appearances late last season.

 

Pitching overview

There are a number of big arms on the Dodgers’ pitching staff, but none bigger than Clayton Kershaw, a starter so dominant that a case can be made for him to be drafted number one overall in fantasy leagues. A back injury limited him to just 21 starts last year, but he was dominant when healthy, going 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and an astounding 15.64 K/BB. He did not have surgery this offseason and all indications are that he is healthy, and should be drafted accordingly.

Kershaw understandably gets top billing here, but there are a number of other solid fantasy options in the Dodgers’ rotation. Kenta Maeda was the most healthy and consistent Dodgers starter last season, and he has worked to increase his stamina and workload going into 2017. Rich Hill battled injury issues, but he was dominant when he did pitch and earned himself a new three-year contract with L.A. Both Maeda and Hill should be targeted in fantasy drafts between the 10th and 12th rounds.

Julio Urias burst onto the scene last season as an extremely promising young prospect, and he still hold s a lot of that promise going into 2017 at just age 20. His innings will be limited again, however, so fantasy owners will have to draft with the idea that he might spend some time in the minors or in extended spring training. The Dodgers also have some veterans that could hold some late round fantasy value. Brandon McCarthy is probably the safest bet in this category, but lefty Scott Kazmir could figure into the fantasy conversation this season as he did have a solid first half in 2016 before injury issues cropped up. In 18 first-half starts in 2016, Kazmir was 7-3 with a 4.52 ERA and a 9.8 K/9.

In the bullpen, Kenley Jansen remains one of the top closers in the game and a true workhorse. His 47 saves in 2016 were career high for him and he also posted a career lows in ERA (1.83) and WHIP (0.67). The Dodgers added Sergio Romo this offseason, who also has closing experience, but he’ll likely be setting up for Jansen most days.

 

Prospects overview

With blue chip prospects like Seager and Urias recently promoted to the big leagues, most of the Dodgers current crop of top prospects is at least two or three seasons away, so we’re not expected to see many big time debuts with the major league team in 2017. However, young catcher Austin Barnes has an outside chance of making a fantasy impact this season. He’s set to make the team as Grandal’s backup, but as a righty bat, he could get the bulk of starts versus southpaws. He hasn’t shown much at the big league level in limited time, but he was a .299/.388/.439 hitter in the minors, and he even has some experience playing second and third. With some more regular at-bats and the potential to add positional eligibility, the stars could align for Barnes to be a deep-league fantasy option.

 

Conclusion

The Dodgers are going into 2017 as one of the best teams in baseball and the fantasy options reflect that. With a top bat like Seager and elite arms like Kershaw and Jansen, there will be Dodgers off the board early in fantasy drafts, and plenty of other options in the later rounds for fantasy owners to fill out lineups.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Martinsville
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Martinsville
Tyler Reddick

Should Come Back Down to Earth at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Will Be Strong at Martinsville
Deshaun Watson

in "Pole Position" to be Week 1 Starting QB?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking to Rebound at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Showing Progress, Qualifies Fifth at Martinsville
Gabriel Vilardi

has a Two-Point Performance
Ivan Demidov

Collects Two More Points on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Out Sunday vs. Trail Blazers
Neemias Queta

Questionable for Sunday
Jayson Tatum

Could Rest on Back-to-Back
Derrick White

Could Miss Hornets Game
Immanuel Quickley

Remains Sidelined vs. Magic
Brandon Ingram

Questionable Against Orlando
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic to Serve One-Game Suspension Monday
Walter Clayton Jr.

is Available for Saturday's Game
Dylan Cease

Fans 12 in Blue Jays Debut on Saturday
Jahmai Mashack

is Returning on Saturday
Guerschon Yabusele

is Absent on Saturday
Malik Monk

Moves into Starting Five on Saturday
Kyler Murray

Dynasty Value Gets New Life With Move to Minnesota
Jonathan Kuminga

to Sit Out on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

Won't Play on Saturday
Rachaad White

Is Rachaad White the New RB1 for the Commanders?
Jock Landale

is Cleared for Saturday's Game
Dyson Daniels

is Ruled Out for Saturday
Shane Wright

Exits Early Saturday
Connor Zary

Remains Out Saturday Night
Noah Laba

a Game-Time Call Sunday
Jonathan Quick

to Remain Unavailable Sunday
Stefon Diggs

Still a Free Agent With April Approaching
Joel Hanley

to Miss Rest of Season
Alvin Kamara

Workload Expected to Look Drastically Different in 2026
Ethen Frank

Remains Out Saturday
Robert Thomas

Available Saturday
Andrew Vaughn

Needs Hand Surgery, Expected to be Out 4-6 Weeks
Jacob deGrom

"Confident" he Will Make his Next Start
Trey Benson

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Arizona
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?
Lamar Jackson

Looking for Return to Full Health in 2026
Sean Tucker

Remains Buried on Buccaneers' Running Back Depth Chart
Jake Tonges

Appears Likely to Enter 2026 Atop 49ers' Tight End Depth Chart
NFL

Can Ja'Kobi Lane Carve Out a Fantasy-Relevant Role as a Rookie?
Chig Okonkwo

Instantly Jumping to Fantasy Relevance in Washington?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Set for Familiar Role in 2026?
Brandon Aiyuk

a Buy-Low Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?
Romeo Doubs

the New No. 1 Target in New England?
Daniel Jones

a QB1 if Ready for Season Opener?
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
Jeferson Quero

Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
Josh Allen

Still the Top Dog at QB in Fantasy
Jared Goff

Should Have Safe Floor as QB1 Again Under New Offensive Coordinator
Jacoby Brissett

Will Jacoby Brissett be on the Streaming Radar Again in 2026?
NFL

Kaytron Allen Should Attract Plenty of Interest in 2026 NFL Draft
NFL

Makai Lemon a Polarizing Receiver Prospect Heading into This Year's Draft
David Pastrnak

Riding 11-Game Point Streak
John Gibson

Gets Back on Track Friday
J.T. Miller

Bags Three Points Against Blackhawks
Tage Thompson

Picks Up 400th Career Point
Patrick Kane

Collects Two Points in Friday's Win
Nick Lardis

Pots Another Goal Friday Night
Shayne Gostisbehere

Could Be an Option Saturday
Nique Clifford

Could Return Saturday
Marcus Sasser

Probable Saturday
Caris LeVert

on Track to Return Saturday
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Ayo Dosunmu

Questionable to Play Saturday
Myles Turner

Iffy for Saturday
Moritz Seider

Assists on Two Goals Against the Sabres
Shea Langeliers

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Kevin Gausman

Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day
Alex DeBrincat

Picks Up Three Points Versus Buffalo
Tanner Bibee

Day-to-Day, Could Make his Next Start
Dylan Garand

Starts Friday
Noah Ostlund

Won't Play Friday
Connor Zary

Returns to Practice
Shane Baz

Orioles Agree to Five-Year Extension
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Making Season Debut on Friday Against Angels
Tiger Woods

Involved In Rollover Car Crash
Tanner Bibee

Shoulder Issue Not Considered Serious
Joe Pyfer

Set For UFC Seattle Main Event
Israel Adesanya

Returns At UFC Seattle
Maycee Barber

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak To Eight
Alexa Grasso

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Dominic Canzone

a Top Pickup After Two-Homer Game
Niko Price

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michael Chiesa

Set For Retirement Fight
Chase DeLauter

Launches Two Home Runs, Emerges as Top Waiver-Wire Target
Lerryan Douglas

Set For His UFC Debut
Julian Erosa

Looks To Bounce Back
Tanner Bibee

Leaves Opening Day Start Early With Shoulder Inflammation
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes a Statement on Opening Day With 10 Strikeouts
Kevin McGonigle

has Four Hits in Impressive MLB Debut
Nico Hoerner

Cubs Agree to Six-Year Deal With Nico Hoerner
Jacob Misiorowski

Shows Off his High-Strikeout Upside in Opening Day Win
Paul Skenes

Greeted Harshly by Mets on Opening Day
Brandon Lowe

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
Lerone Murphy

Suffers His First Loss
Movsar Evloev

Edges Out Lerone Murphy
CFB

Notre Dame Ranks No. 1 in Returning Production for 2026
Michael Aswell

Jr. Drops Decision At UFC London
Michael Aswell

Luke Riley Outclasses Michael Aswell Jr.
Sam Patterson

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Michael Page

Wins Lackluster Decision
Austen Lane

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Iwo Baraniewski

Delivers 28-Second TKO
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF