Predicting the Los Angeles Dodgers' Full 2013 Postseason Roster
In exactly one week, the Los Angeles Dodgers will begin their first playoff series since 2009.
While it’s undoubtedly a time of great excitement with an illustrious World Series title within the Dodgers’ extended reach for the first time in a quarter-century, it begins with a sting for the club.
As rookie sensations Yasiel Puig, Hyun-Jin Ryu and even seasoned starter Ricky Nolasco look forward to their first postseason runs, there are a handful of veteran players who won’t make the 25-man postseason roster.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for veterans like Chris Capuano and Jerry Hairston Jr., whose time as professional ballplayers is waning.
Yet, as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on—and it will.
Before manager Don Mattingly and the front office cut the roster back down to 25 players for the postseason, let’s take a look at who will and won’t make it to October.
1. Carl Crawford
1 of 26
Position: LF
Lineup Spots: 1, 2
Now that he’s healthy and performing at a high level once again, Carl Crawford is a lock to make the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason roster and will be their starting left fielder.
2. Yasiel Puig
2 of 26
Positions: RF, CF
Lineup Spots: 1, 2, 4
The electric rookie Cuban sensation will be a key factor for the Dodgers in the postseason, particularly if Don Mattingly continues to bat him in the leadoff spot.
Depending on his performance in the first couple postseason games, Yasiel Puig may be swapped out of a starting position and placed into a platoon role with fellow right fielder Andre Ethier.
3. Matt Kemp
3 of 26
Position: CF
Lineup Spots: 3, 4, 5
The fact that Matt Kemp is not only healthy again after an injury-plagued season but finally hitting well is major news for the Dodgers’ starting center fielder.
Depending on the others in the lineup, Mattingly will slot Kemp anywhere from the No. 3 to No. 5 spots. He’s most recently been stroking it well from the No. 3 spot, and that figures to be his predominant postseason slot.
4. Adrian Gonzalez
4 of 26
Position: 1B
Lineup Spots: 3, 4
Undeniably the Dodgers’ most consistent offensive force all season, Adrian Gonzalez brings a lot to the table for the Blue Crew in the postseason.
He not only figures to be a key offensive contributor but is also reliable with his glove at first base.
5. Hanley Ramirez
5 of 26
Position: SS
Lineup Spots: 3, 4
While A-Gon has been the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter, Hanley Ramirez has been the team’s most explosive hitter—even above Puig—and has tattooed some of the hardest-hit balls we’ve seen in a while.
His defensive prowess has improved but still leaves something to be desired; however, his performance at the plate makes him more than worthy to be the Blue Crew’s starting shortstop.
6. Andre Ethier
6 of 26
Positions: RF, CF
Lineup Spots: 4, 5, 6
Dodgers’ longtime right fielder Andre Ethier will surely secure a spot on the postseason roster, but it’s unlikely he’ll nab a starting position.
Ethier’s ankle injury, paired with the occupation of right field by rookie Yasiel Puig, will likely see Ethier as the Dodgers’ fourth outfielder in the playoffs.
That doesn’t mean that he won’t have a big impact in the playoffs, but he just won’t be taking the field after the national anthem.
7. Juan Uribe
7 of 26
Position: 3B
Lineup Spots: 6, 7, 8
The Dodgers could care less that Juan Uribe’s redemption year just so happens to fall in the season before his contract expires.
All that matters to the Blue Crew is that Uribe continues to produce and hold down the hot corner with Gold Glove-caliber efficiency into October.
8. Mark Ellis
8 of 26
Position: 2B
Lineup Spots: 1, 2, 8
Mark Ellis is anything but flashy, yet he’s a hardnosed, gritty player who has come up with some big hits for the Dodgers this season.
His offensive stats will never wow, and he doesn’t have the pizzazz to make the highlight reel, but he’s an excellent fielder and embodies an excellent work ethic.
9. A.J. Ellis
9 of 26
Position: C
Lineup Spots: 5, 6, 7, 8
Like his namesake at second base, A.J. Ellis is one of the hardest-working players on the team who grinds every day without the flair of the average MLB player.
Although his bat has deadened to close out the season, Ellis proved that he can still be clutch in tight situations when he hit a solo home run late in the game to push the Dodgers over the Diamondbacks to clinch the NL West.
10. Skip Schumaker
10 of 26
Positions: RF, CF, LF, 2B
Lineup Spots: 1, 6, 7
Skip Schumaker’s versatility will ensure that he makes the playoff roster.
The multifaceted utility man, who has even pitched a pair of scoreless innings for the Dodgers this season, won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals two years ago and is the kind of player that will play an integral role in the Dodgers’ postseason success.
11. Nick Punto
11 of 26
Positions: 2B, 3B, SS
Lineup Spots: 2, 8
Nick Punto is another utility man that is vital to the Dodgers’ postseason success.
Like Schumaker, he was a member of the Cardinals’ World Series championship team in 2011, so he knows firsthand what the path to a World Series looks and feels like.
Moreover, Punto will likely see time in the infield late in the game, as manager Don Mattingly is keen on the double switch to prevent his relief pitchers from having to hit.
12. Michael Young
12 of 26
Positions: 3B, 1B
Lineup Spots: 3, 4
The Dodgers’ move to swipe the veteran corner infielder from the Philadelphia Phillies just before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline was a smart move for the postseason.
Although Young’s postseason career has been notoriously poorer than his impressive regular-season career, he still brings leadership and is a very solid backup at the corner infield spots.
13. Dee Gordon
13 of 26
Position: SS
Lineup Spots: 1, 2, 8
Dee Gordon won’t be wearing his glove much, if at all, in the postseason.
However, he better make sure his shoelaces are on tight, because he’ll be off to the races.
The Dodgers have sufficient backup at middle infield with Punto and Schumaker, which means the only reason that Gordon—and not outfielder Scott Van Slyke—will make the postseason roster is for his speed.
The Blue Crew will get good use out of the lightning-fast Gordon this postseason.
14. Tim Federowicz
14 of 26
Position: C
Lineup Spots: 7, 8
Logistically, the Dodgers need a backup catcher for the playoffs and Tim Federowicz will fill that role.
He’s proven that he has a powerful bat, but his consistency at the plate needs improvement. His consistency behind the plate is also something he needs to improve.
15. Clayton Kershaw
15 of 26
Position: SP
Throws: Left
Rotation No.: 1
A favorite for his second Cy Young in his five-year career, Clayton Kershaw is aiming for his first postseason win after an atypical performance in the Dodgers’ 2009 playoff run, in which he gave up nine earned runs and 14 hits in 13.1 innings pitched.
16. Zack Greinke
16 of 26
Position: SP
Throws: Right
Rotation No.: 2
Like fellow ace Kershaw, Zack Greinke has been stellar this season and likely would be a favorite to win his second Cy Young Award if Kershaw didn’t have such an amazing season.
Also like Kershaw, Greinke has limited postseason experience during which he has struggled to find his groove.
17. Hyun-Jin Ryu
17 of 26
Position: SP
Throws: Left
Rotation No.: 3
Hyun-Jin Ryu has proven he was worth the hype coming from South Korea.
His rookie season has been nothing short of sensational, and his recent solid outings after returning from injury have reassured the Dodgers that he’ll be in the postseason rotation.
18. Edinson Volquez
18 of 26
Position: SP
Throws: Right
Rotation No.: 4
Edinson Volquez was a longshot at first, perceived by many to be a washed-up former All-Star, but he’s settled down and really found his groove with Los Angeles.
The Dodgers will likely only need a three-man rotation in the postseason, which means that Volquez will more than likely be taking the hill for the Blue Crew in relief.
19. Brian Wilson
19 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Right
Relief Spot: Late
There were plenty of doubts about Brian Wilson after he took over a season off to rehabilitate his elbow after Tommy John surgery, but those doubts have been squandered with his performance in relief with the Dodgers.
The former San Francisco Giants closer has only allowed one earned run in 12.1 innings pitched and has demonstrated that his arm is back up to par by unleashing fastballs in the mid-90s.
The 2010 World Series champion and saves title holder will aid the Dodgers tremendously in key, late-game situations.
20. Kenley Jansen
20 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Right
Relief Spot: Closer
Kenley Jansen has proven to the Dodgers that he should have never been usurped by Brandon League as closer.
After League’s collapse and relegation from the coveted bullpen position, Jansen has been on fire. He is not only overpowering with his wicked cutter but is efficient as well, striking out 109 batters and walking a mere 16 this season.
21. J.P Howell
21 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Left
Relief Spot: Middle, Late
In addition to the 11 holds he’s accrued this season, J.P. Howell adds depth to the Dodgers bullpen with his postseason experience with the Tampa Bay Rays.
22. Paco Rodriguez
22 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Left
Relief Spot: Middle, Late
Paco Rodriguez is the second part of the clutch, lefty legion in the Dodgers pen.
Rodriguez impressed the Dodgers to the extent that he immediately began pitching in relief after they selected him in the draft.
His unorthodox mechanics turn the stomachs of every pitching coach, but they also throw off hitters and make his ball hard to pick up.
23. Carlos Marmol
23 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Right
Relief Spot: Middle
Since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs, Carlos Marmol’s performance has been a mixed bag, but he’s settled down as of late.
A rough start has been succeeded by only two earned runs in the past two months—17.2 innings worth of relief.
Marmol still doesn’t deliver the consistency that the Dodgers would like to have, but he’s a far better alternative than troubled reliever Brandon League at the moment.
24. Chris Withrow
24 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Right
Relief Spot: Middle
Chris Withrow has displayed some impressive pitching in his first string of big-league games.
Since making his major league debut June 12, Withrow has been electric on the mound. Not only is his velocity impressive but his stamina is laudable as well, as he has given the Dodgers some good multi-inning outings this season.
25. Ronald Belisario
25 of 26
Position: RP
Throws: Right
Relief Spot: Middle, Late
Based on his performance in September alone (9.2 IP, 12 H, 10 ER), Ronald Belisario wouldn’t make the postseason roster.
Still, Belisario has been a staple in the Dodgers bullpen for the past four seasons and will be asked to pitch in October for the Boys in Blue.
He’s not the greatest reliever to walk to the face of the Earth, but he gets the job done when he can locate his sinker low in the zone.
Missing the Roster
26 of 26
1. Ricky Nolasco (SP)
Ricky Nolasco has had a handful of impressive outings with the Dodgers since being acquired from the Miami Marlins.
Unfortunately, his last three outings have been atrocious, which began with a miserable start at home during which he lasted a mere 1.1 innings and gave up five earned runs.
Collapsing so close to the postseason is very concerning to the Dodgers, and they won’t run the risk of pitching him in the playoffs.
2. Stephen Fife (SP)
3. Onelki Garcia (RP)
4. Brandon League (RP)
5. Chris Capuano (SP/RP)
Chris Capuano has had an unfortunate season, jumping from the pen to the rotation and then most recently injuring himself.
The Dodgers could opt to bring Cappy into the pen because they are low on left-handed relievers, but he likely won’t be brought on the postseason roster because of his recent inactivity due to injury.
6. Peter Moylan (RP)
7. Drew Butera (C)
8. Jerry Hairston Jr. (IF/OF)
Jerry Hairston Jr. is a veteran player who would likely do anything in his power to give it one more shot at a World Series, but it’s unfortunately not going to happen for him this year.
Hairston looked great as the Dodgers utility man in the beginning of the season, but he’s tanked in the second half of the season.
The Dodgers’ signing of Michael Young to add depth at the corners eliminates the need for Hairston, whose bat has been flat for far too long to be in consideration for the postseason roster.
9. Nick Buss (OF)
10. Alex Castellanos (OF)
11. Scott Van Slyke (OF)
The Dodgers could use Scott Van Slyke as a pinch hitter, but they already have a deep bench with one of the four outfielders (Puig, Crawford, Kemp and Ethier) slated to start on the bench.
Moreover, Van Slyke is a defensive liability. While he hits for power and has delivered some clutch hits for the Dodgers, his .242 average is unappealing to a team trying to field a squad capable of winning a World Series.
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