Dodgers' Breakout Players, Most Disappointing to Start 2024 Season
A stacked roster filled with high-price talent does not leave the Los Angeles Dodgers with many opportunities for an unexpected breakout performance.
It took an injury to Jason Heyward to open the door for rookie Andy Pages to get his first look in the big leagues, and now it looks like he could be up for good, with 2023 rookie James Outman optioned to the minors after Heyward returned.
While the Dodgers are once again shaping up to be serious title contenders, there have been some disappointing performances as well, and none has been more disappointing than the lackluster return to action from a healthy Gavin Lux.
Ahead we've taken a closer look at those two players who carry the title of biggest breakout and biggest disappointment so far, along with also shining some light on a player enjoying a more under-the-radar breakout.
Under-the-Radar Breakout: RHP Michael Grove
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The Dodgers seem to have a knack for finding at least one unexpected high-leverage bullpen arms each season, from Phil Bickford in 2021 to Yency Almonte in 2022 to Shelby Miller in 2023.
This year it's Michael Grove.
"There are a lot of good things going on in the bullpen, and our pitching staff as a whole, but Grover settling in has been the biggest one for me," first baseman Freddie Freeman told reporters. "He's been throwing in seventh- and eighth-inning situations, and [what he's done] has been huge."
His 6.04 ERA might look ugly on paper, but that number is inflated by the fact that he allowed 10 earned runs in 7.2 innings over his first four appearances of the year.
The 27-year-old has a 3.57 ERA and 14.3 K/9 with two wins and four holds in his last 15 appearances, and he should be a go-to arm throughout the season.
Biggest Disappointment: 2B Gavin Lux
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After posting huge numbers in the minors, it took Gavin Lux some time to establish himself as a big league regular, but he finally seemed to turn a corner in 2022 when he posted a 109 OPS+ with 33 extra-base hits while playing steady defense at second base in a 2.8-WAR season.
Expected to slide back to his natural position of shortstop last season, he instead suffered a season-ending torn ACL in spring training. That was followed by a move back to second base this spring when he struggled defensively during the preseason, opening the door for Mookie Betts to shift to shortstop.
The 26-year-old is hitting a punchless .202/.255/.281 through his first 137 plate appearances this season, and he could find his role reduced in the coming weeks and months if he doesn't pick it up at the plate.
Poor batted-ball metrics have provided little reason for optimism on that front.
Biggest Breakout: OF Andy Pages
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Even with Mookie Betts shifting to the infield, the Dodgers entered the year with a crowded outfield situation as Teoscar Hernández, James Outman, Jason Heyward and utility players Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández were all in the mix for playing time in the grass.
Despite that logjam, Andy Pages has managed to play his way into a regular role.
The 23-year-old established himself as one of the best power-hitting prospects in the minors with a 31-homer season at High-A in 2021, then followed that up by posting an .805 OPS with 29 doubles, 26 home runs and 80 RBI in 132 games at Double-A.
Injuries limited him last season, but he hit a blistering .371/.452/.694 in 15 games to open the year at Triple-A before making his MLB debut on April 16.
In 131 plate appearances, he has a 98 OPS+ with six doubles, five home runs and 16 RBI, and the Dodgers now have one more offensive weapon at their disposal.
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