Top Candidates to Enjoy Breakout Seasons for the Dodgers in 2015

There are plenty of new faces in the Los Angeles Dodgers' clubhouse as a result of the team's major roster overhaul this past offseason. The team saw a new front office take the reins and pull the trigger on multiple high-profile trades to help bolster the defense up the middle and starting-rotation depth.

Other players already in the organization have earned spots on the 25-man roster because of strong performances in spring training. Overall, the 2015 Dodgers look decidedly different than the squad that lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series (NLDS) last October.

While the team is still very competent and should be considered the favorites to win the National League West for a third straight season, there is the potential for even greener pastures if certain players can step up.

Here are three breakout candidates to watch as the Boys in Blue embark on their new campaign:

Yimi Garcia

One of the weakest aspects of the Dodgers last season was their bullpen. The team brought in a handful of veteran relievers a year ago—Brian Wilson, Chris Perez and Jamey Wright to name a few—but each underwhelmed quite significantly. This year, Los Angeles is turning to in-house solutions.

A bright spot in spring training and somewhat of an underdog to make the team, Yimi Garcia has the capabilities to experience a breakout season as a middle relief pitcher. The bullpen slot was not handed to Garcia like some of the other relievers in camp who are out of options or represent difficult-to-maneuver contracts.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 24-year-old had to earn it, and he definitely did that.

Garcia, whose first name is pronounced like "Jimmy," limited opposing batters in the Cactus League to a .139 clip while striking out 15 in 11 spring innings. Only Clayton Kershaw fanned more hitters at Camelback Ranch.

The strong spring indicated that Garcia had picked up where he left off last season when he compiled a 1.80 ERA in 10 low-stress innings during September.

Los Angeles originally signed the right-hander as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He complements a 93-94 mph fastball with a sharp slider and improving changeup.

The Dodgers are going to rely on Garcia to hold down the later innings as the relief corps will be asked to carry a heavier burden. That's because closer Kenley Jansen is expected to be sidelined until mid-May as he recovers from foot surgery.

Brett Anderson

Left-hander Brett Anderson has made just 19 starts since June 2011, but Los Angeles can consider him a breakout candidate because injuries always seem to derail his potential.

The Dodgers signed Anderson to a one-year, $10 million contract that included a $5 million signing bonus and an additional $4 million in incentives, per The Associated Press (via USA Today).

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The 27-year-old hasn't pitched more than 84 innings in a season since 2010, and he has spent more time on the disabled list than on the active roster during that time.

But when healthy, Anderson is considered one of the better left-handers in baseball. It's why the Oakland Athletics made him their Opening Day starter as recently as 2013.

Anderson spent much of the winter working with physical therapist Brett Fischer, according to Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. Fischer is the same trainer who helped Hall of Famer Randy Johnson collect four Cy Young Awards after undergoing back surgery similar to one that Anderson had in August.

Last season with the Colorado Rockies, Anderson was limited to just eight starts because of a broken left index finger and lower-back surgery. He went 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in those games.

"It's one of those things you can't really dwell on too much," said Anderson, per Baxter. "But hopefully going forward I can show myself—and everybody—what kind of pitcher I am. Hopefully, it's my year."

The Dodgers are hoping it's Anderson's year as well. They know the potential is there. Now he just has to stay on the field and put it all together as a No. 5 starter.

Joc Pederson

Los Angeles traded away Matt Kemp this winter in part because the organization believed in the potential of Joc Pederson.

The team's top outfield prospect lived up to the initial hype during spring training, slashing .338/.377/.692 and winning the center field job over veteran Andre Ethier. Along the way, Pederson led the team in home runs, RBI and runs scored.

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There really wan't anything left for the rookie to prove in Triple-A.

Pederson last season became the Pacific Coast League's first player since 1934 to hit at least 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season, according to Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly considers Pederson the "best defensive center fielder" in the organization, per Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times, and the 22-year-old has already made some dazzling plays with the glove.

"Joc has checked off all the boxes as far as we're concerned," said Mattingly, per Eric Stephen of True Blue LA. "The way he has been in the locker room has been good, the way he's preparing. We're not seeing him over-amped or anything. He's just been himself, and that's what we really wanted to be able to see."

With five tools and a starting gig, all the ingredients are there for Pederson to whip up a breakout season.

All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise linked/noted.

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