👉 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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jamal Murray

Good to Go on Sunday
Brandon Lowe

Could Be Poised for Banner Year in Pittsburgh
TJ Friedl

Can TJ Friedl See a Speed Resurgence in 2026?
Bryson Stott

Remains a High-Floor, Low-Ceiling Second Base Option
Anfernee Simons

Won't Face the Knicks
Mitchell Robinson

Sitting on Sunday
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Set to Return to the Leadoff Spot in 2026
Myles Turner

Back on Sunday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Will Bat Leadoff in 2026
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out on Sunday
Joey Logano

Will Be Popular DFS Pick at EchoPark Speedway
Tyler Reddick

on Pole After Qualifying Rained Out at EchoPark Speedway
Chase Elliott

Could Chase Elliott Be Worth Rostering At EchoPark Speedway?
Ryan Blaney

Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
Christopher Morel

is Getting Comfortable at First Base
Taylor Walls

is Making Spring Debut on Sunday
Lenyn Sosa

Likely Headed Towards Bench Role
Joe Ryan

is Dealing with Back Inflammation
William Byron

Is William Byron Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
Jordan Westburg

has Uncertain Timetable to Return
Rondale Moore

Passes Away
Denny Hamlin

Is Worth Consideration for EchoPark Speedway DFS Lineups
Brad Keselowski

Is A Tournament Option for DFS At EchoPark Speedway
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Rosterable In DFS At EchoPark Speedway?
Austin Cindric

Should DFS Players Roster Austin Cindric At EchoPark Speedway?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Sneaky DFS Option for EchoPark Speedway?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
Alex Bowman

Will Start Towards the Rear At EchoPark Speedway
Anfernee Simons

Exits Early In Loss To Detroit
Kristaps Porzingis

On Track To Play Sunday
Shaedon Sharpe

Remains Unavailable Sunday
John Collins

to Miss Orlando Game
Aaron Nesmith

to Miss Second Straight Game
Ivica Zubac

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Rudy Gobert

Suspended One Game Sunday
Devin Booker

to Miss at Least One Week
Dillon Brooks

Suffers a Broken Hand
Tyler Samaniego

Dealing with Back Tightness
Cam Schlittler

Throws Bullpen Session on Saturday
Cody Freeman

to Miss Significant Time with Back Fracture
Javonte Williams

Cowboys Sign Javonte Williams to Three-Year, $24 Million Extension
Logan Gilbert

to Make Spring Debut on Monday
Jonathon Long

Exits With Left-Elbow Sprain
Walter Clayton Jr.

is Ready to Go for Saturday
Dru Smith

is Available for Saturday's Game
Davion Mitchell

Won't Play on Saturday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic is Ruled Out for Saturday's Contest
Norman Powell

is Cleared for Saturday's Game
Tyler Herro

is Available to Play on Saturday
Dejounte Murray

Remains Sidelined on Saturday
Joel Armia

Wraps Up Olympics With Three-Point Performance
Daniil Tarasov

Available for Panthers
Evan Rodrigues

Set to Return Next Week
Aaron Ekblad

Expected to Play Thursday
Pavel Zacha

Cleared for Action
VAN

Jonathan Lekkerimaki Needs Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Mikko Rantanen

Misses Bronze-Medal Game With Lower-Body Injury
Joe Ryan

Scratched From Grapefruit League Start With Back Tightness
Merrill Kelly

Scratched From Live BP With Back Tightness
Jack Suwinski

Dodgers Claim Jack Suwinski Off Waivers From Pirates
Andrew Vaughn

Can Andrew Vaughn Repeat 2025 Breakout Success?
Brenton Doyle

Carries Buy-Low Potential Heading into 2026
Jack Flaherty

Can Jack Flaherty Bounce Back After 2025 Struggles?
Blake Coleman

Activated From Injured Reserve
Matt Rempe

Heading to Injured Reserve After Second Thumb Procedure
Sidney Crosby

a Game-Time Call for Olympic Final
Josh Morrissey

Won't Play Sunday
Filip Chytil

Out Indefinitely With Facial Fracture
Connor McDavid

Makes History With Another Multi-Point Outing
Tage Thompson

Expected to Play in Olympic Final
Travis Etienne Jr.

has "Legitimate Interest" in Joining Chiefs
Zach Charbonnet

Undergoes Knee Surgery on Friday
CFB

Curt Cignetti Agrees to New Deal With Indiana, Will Earn $13.2 Million Per Year
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Returns to Practice
Josh Morrissey

Remains Out Against Finland
Sidney Crosby

Won't Play Friday
Anthony Hernandez

Set For UFC Houston Main Event
Sean Strickland

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Uros Medic

Set For UFC Houston Co-Main Event
Geoff Neal

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Melquizael Costa

A Favorite At UFC Houston
Dan Ige

An Underdog At UFC Houston
Logan Cooley

Sheds Non-Contact Jersey
Maxwell Crozier

to Miss 10 Weeks After Surgery
Kirill Marchenko

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Petr Mrazek

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
Rashee Rice

Accused of Assault by Long-Time Girlfriend
Ben Griffin

Looking to Return to Top Form at Riviera
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Build Momentum at Riviera
J.J. Spaun

Putting a Major Concern at Riviera
Sepp Straka

May Have Tough Time at The Genesis Invitational
Shane Lowry

Trending Up Entering the Genesis Invitational
Justin Rose

Off Most Radars at The Genesis Invitational
Robert MacIntyre

a Long Hitter to Watch at Riviera Country Club
Jake Knapp

Red-Hot Heading to Riviera
Min Woo Lee

Attempts to Build Momentum After Pebble Beach
Harry Hall

an Unknown for The Genesis Invitational
Matt Fitzpatrick

Has Favorable Path to Success at Riviera This Week
Wyndham Clark

Not Likely to Contend at Genesis Invitational
Ludvig Aberg

Might Find the Genesis Invitational More Challenging
Harris English

Carries Strong Form to Riviera
Patrick Cantlay

Eyes Another Strong Week at The Genesis Invitational
Daniel Berger

Needs Short Game to Show Up at Riviera
Sam Burns

Hopes Return to Form Continues at Riviera
Collin Morikawa

Riding Wave of Victory Into Riviera
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Have Repeat Success at The Genesis Invitational
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Find Paydirt at Riviera
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Before Genesis Invitational
Mike Evans

Will Return in 2026
Kenneth Walker III

Seahawks Not Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Kenneth Walker III
Bucky Irving

Undergoes Offseason Shoulder Surgery
Tyreek Hill

Says he Will Play in 2026
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF