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
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
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
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
Jrue Holiday

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
LeBron James

Officially Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Exits Monday's Game With Groin Injury
Julian Strawther

Out on Monday
Cameron Johnson

Cleared for Action Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available Against Bulls
Zaccharie Risacher

Considered Questionable for Tuesday's Game
Onyeka Okongwu

Iffy for Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Jalen Suggs

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ayo Dosunmu

Playing on Minutes Restriction Monday
Tre Jones

Still Out Monday
Saddiq Bey

Won't Play Against OKC
Zion Williamson

Still Out on Monday Night
Jamison Battle

Available Monday
Ochai Agbaji

Remains Out Monday
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Ausar Thompson

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Jalen Duren

Returns Against Pacers
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Cade Cunningham

Remains Out Monday
Coby White

Sits Out Monday's Game
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Could Do 11-on-11 Work This Week in Practice
Michael Penix Jr.

Heads to Injured Reserve, Could Need Full Knee Reconstruction
Tyrod Taylor

Taking Over as Jets' Starting QB
Josh Jacobs

' Knee Injury is Not Serious, but he Could Miss Week 12
Lane Johnson

Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With Foot Injury
Drake London

Could Miss Extended Time With PCL Sprain
Michael Penix Jr.

Knee Injury is "Potentially Season-Ending"
Jaxson Dart

Remains in Concussion Protocol, Status for Week 12 Unclear
Ja'Marr Chase

NFL Will Review Week 11 Scuffle Between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

Dealing With a Wrist Fracture, Pushing to Play Sunday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

Leads Red Wings to Victory at MSG
Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
Ryan Hartman

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Adrian Kempe

Agrees to $85 Million Extension With Kings
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Clears 100-Yard Mark Again in Loss to Rams
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
Scott Mayfield

Available Sunday
NYI

Max Shabanov Returns From 12-Game Absence Sunday
Samuel Honzek

Out Week-to-Week
Kirby Dach

Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Thatcher Demko

Considered Week-to-Week
Filip Hronek

Good to Go Sunday
Quinn Hughes

Back in Action Sunday
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year
CFB

Still No Update on Jermod McCoy's Return Timeline
Sami Valimaki

Riding Momentum Into Bermuda
Matthieu Pavon

Struggling Through a Rough Season
Taylor Montgomery

Hopes to Get Back on Track at Port Royal
Ben Martin

a Risky Play at Bermuda Championship
Mark Hubbard

Primed for a Bounce-Back Week in Bermuda
Lee Hodges

Searching for a Spark in Bermuda

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP