Dodgers Postseason: The Roster Is Filled With Homegrown Players
The Dodgers have had so many great moments in 2019 from some of their rookies like Alex Verdugo, Will Smith and Matt Beaty. Who could ever forget their three walk-off home runs in a row?
Friday Matt Beaty, Saturday Alex Verdugo, today, Will Smith. Dodgers with back to back to back walkoff bombs from the 3 rookies. Way to go boys! @matt_beatybu pic.twitter.com/RvRp2WKA0p
— TheJerryEspinoza (@JEspinoza1634) June 23, 2019
Throughout the season the Dodgers have gotten some excellent contributions from many different rookies. Many have talked about what a great rookie class the Dodgers have this year, and it is true. However, the pipeline of players from the minor leagues has been productive for a few years now. As the playoffs begin it’s notable how many homegrown players the Dodgers have on their roster and will be on the playoff roster.
The #Dodgers might be a big-market team, but more than half of the WAR on their projected postseason roster comes from homegrown talent from the #MLBDraft and international free agent signings.
See how all 10 #MLB postseason teams were built: https://t.co/iPtMPiQh6V pic.twitter.com/QqmnCW2xM3
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 2, 2019
The Playoff Roster Candidates
The list of Dodgers that were originally drafted or signed as an international free agent are listed in the table below. These are players who have a legitimate shot at making the playoff roster. I have columns for each of the possible series for when they are on the roster.
[table id=10 /]I did include Russell Martin since he was originally drafted by the Dodgers. This list has 20 players that are playoff roster possibilities with a probable minimum of 15.
Working backwards, the years that the homegrown players were signed and the numbers of players for that year are below:
- 2016 – 5 players
- 2015 – 3
- 2014 – 2
- 2013 – 2
- 2012 – 3
- 2010 – 1 (Pederson)
- 2007 – 1 (Baez – signed as a 3B)
- 2006 – 1 (Kershaw)
- 2004 – 1 (Jansen – signed as a catcher)
- 2002 – 1 (Martin)
Most Homegrown Players In The Playoffs
Of all the teams that entered the playoffs the Dodgers have the most homegrown players according to MLB Pipeline.
Take 2. Sorry, @Athletics! ?
With #MLB‘s 2019 #postseason field of 10 set, here’s a look at how each team was built: https://t.co/iPtMPiQh6V#Astros#MNTwins#Yankees#Athletics#Rays#Dodgers#STLCards#Braves#Nats#Brewers
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 30, 2019
The list below sums up the totals for each team. The Dodgers still have not announced their playoff roster and I believe it could be more than 15. I also don’t know if they consider Russell Martin as homegrown.
| Team | Total Homegrown |
| Dodgers | 15 |
| Twins | 14 |
| Cardinals | 10 |
| Astros | 8 |
| Yankees | 7 |
| Brewers | 7 |
| Nationals | 7 |
| A’s | 5 |
| Rays | 5 |
| Braves | 4 |
The Future Stays Bright
With the Dodgers having so many homegrown players it bodes well for the future. Of the homegrown players, 12 of them are making close to the Major League minimum wage. This allows continued flexibility as some of the older players eventually roll off of the payroll. Of course, these numbers indicate a team that knows how to find players and develop them. There are more prospects on the way that will continue to bolster the roster over the next few years. With this team, the window to win isn’t closing any time soon.
Familiarity Is A Dodgers Tradition
Since free agency started to cause a lot more player movement starting in 1976, many fans have missed continuity on their teams. The Dodgers, starting in 1973 though their World Championship in 1981, had a consistent presence of players such as Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey. All of them were homegrown. They added players such as Dusty Baker, Reggie Smith and Burt Hooton via trade to bolster the team. How the team operated during that era reminds me of the current team.
Along with the current group of homegrown constants like Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler the Dodgers have made key additions like Justin Turner, Rich Hill and Max Muncy. These players, along with many others, have become fan favorites. Personally, I enjoy watching a team that has a strong group of core players, including many homegrown stalwarts.
Constant team turnover is not something I like to see and I think most fans think the same way. Periodic additions is could but trading out big parts of a roster every year or two is not something I can get behind.
Final Thoughts
As we all prepare for the Dodgers to make another run at a World Series it just seems right that they have so many players we’ve had either on the Major League roster or have been in the minor league system for a few years. We’ve become familiar with them and many are fan favorites. Over the next few years some will end up moving on to other teams and the Dodgers will have plenty of replacements for them. Again, the window for winning isn’t closing for a long time.
