Best season ever by a dodger hitter: poll
make your choice.
In this post, I shall list several seasons that Dodger players have had in Los Angeles. Most of us cannot remember the ones in Brooklyn, and I want the posters here to select their choice for the best in their opinions.
Tommy Davis 1962: Davis won the NL batting title with an average of .346. He led the league in RBIs with 153, the most in Dodger history by any player. He also recorded 230 hits. His slash line was .373/.535/.910. He had a 5.9 WAR and 63 extra base hits. He was 3rd in the MVP voting behind Maury Wills and Willie Mays. He also won the batting title in 63 with a .326 BA.
Mike Piazza 1997: In 1997, Piazza hit .362 with 40 homers and 124 RBI's. His slash line was .431/.638/1.070. His OPS+ was 185. He had an 8.7 WAR. 73 of his 201 hits went for extra bases. He was 2nd to Larry Walker in the MVP vote and won a silver slugger award.
Matt Kemp 2011: Kemp hit .324. He had 40 stolen bases and led the league with 39 homers to go with a league leading 126 RBIs. He led the league in WAR, 8.0, runs 115, OPS+ 172. He won a silver slugger, a gold glove and finished 2nd in the MVP voting to Ryan Braun of the Brewers.
Shawn Green 2001: .297/49/125. OPS+154 .372/.598.920. Hit four homers in a game in Milwaukee, setting a record for total bases in a game. Set new record for most HRs by a Dodger in a season, which stood until Ohtani broke it in 2024. Had a 7 WAR.
Gary Sheffield 2000: .325/43/109. OPS+176. Slash line .325/.438/.643 OPS 1.081. At the time he tied the record for the most homers in a season by a Dodger, 43 by Duke Snider, and set the record for RH hitters.
Adrian Beltre 2004: In his free agent season he hit .334/48/121. He set the record for most homers by a RH hitter and his 48 bombs led the NL. OPS+163 and his OPS was 1.017. His WAR for the year was 9.6
Cody Bellinger 2019: Bellinger hit 47 homers, drove in 115 runs and batted .305 in his MVP season. He had 34 doubles and 3 triples for a total of 84 extra base hits. He led the league with 351 total bases and had an 8,7 WAR. He added 15 stolen bases. His OPS was 1.033 and OPS+ 167. His OBP was .406.
Shohei Ohtani 2024. Shohei led the league in WAR 9.0, runs scored, 134, homers 54, RBIs 130, OBP .390, Slg .646, OPS 1.034, OPS+ 187 and total bases 411. He also had the most plate appearances 731. Add his 59 stolen bases. If there is a hole in his game, it was his strikeouts 162 to just 81 walks.
Shohei Ohtani 2025: Led the league in runs with 146. Slugged 55 homers and drove in 102. OPS was 1.014. Slugged .622. Led the league with 380 total bases and had an OPS+ of 181. Too many Ks though, 187.
If you can think of a better season in LA by a Dodger, you are more than welcome to vote for that.
Discussion (127)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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My vote goes to Alek Thomas. .186 52 OPS+. Just mashing that ball. LOLZ
I am not sure as to why the surprise of recalling Alex Freeland. He would not have been my choice, but I understand the reason for it. AF/BG and the Dodgers value (overvalue?) versatility. It is clear to me that the Dodgers are counting on Teo and Tucker getting back to being productive hitters. They are also counting on Will Smith returning to his 2025 self. At the very least the Dodgers are going to give those three the ABs to produce. So, Freeland gives the Dodgers the flexibility for Kiké to concentrate on the OF and will allow Edman to play more CF.
The Dodgers also prefer defense from their bench. The Dodgers could have promoted the bat of Ryan Ward last season, but instead Hyeseong Kim was activated from the IL. Justin Dean was selected to the team on August 8, optioned on September 10 when Muncy was activated from the IL, and recalled again September 29 when all of the 40-man was activated, and the playoff roster is selected from. Justin Dean was selected over Conforto and Esteury Ruiz.
I think the Dodgers see value in letting JDP and JT III continue to hit in MiLB. They can still have their contracts purchased. It doesn’t have to be September 1. Freeland knows what it is like to ride the pine. He will be comfortable as a role player.
JDP and JTIII would really be LH hitting PH, as neither can play defense at the MLB level. I acknowledge that neither can Teo, but he is far more likely to impact a game with his bat than JDP or JTIII. Dalton Rushing is taking live batting practice and would be the LH bat off the bench.
I think more will be known once the pitchers are activated from the 60-day IL. Most likely it will be Blake Treinen with Gavin Stone as a possibility. With Smith coming off IL, Ben Rortvedt is the likely DFA. I still believe that Will Klein is a possible 60-day IL candidate opening one spot on the 40-man. If not Klein, Ronan Kopp seems the most likely to be DFA. I am surprised he was protected, because I do not believe anyone would have kept him on the 26 man all season. But the Dodgers also do not DFA players they placed on the 40-man after one year of being protected from the Rule 5 draft. They had their reasons as to why he was protected. Have they changed?
I do not think the Dodgers see JDP or JTIII as difference makers this year, and 40 man spots are valuable assets. IMO, they view Blake Treinen and possibly Gavin Stone as possible difference makers in the relief pitching going through the playoffs. Also, the Dodgers value experience over youth.
I will not be surprised if the Dodgers select the contract of either JDP or JTIII once their respective MiLB seasons are over. But I am not surprised they were not selected on September 1.
Moreno agrees to sell the Angels to the Rams owner, Krenke.
Off the Dodgers transaction page. Smith, Wrobleski, Rushing activated. Freeland called up from OKC, Thomas optioned to OKC, Rortvedt DFAd. So, the left-handed bat will be Rushing off of the bench since he will not catch. That will be left to Smith and Feduccia. No Knack, Wrobo will be the long man and innings eater.
I’m getting a little ahead of myself but it’s Sept 1 and time for expanded rosters to 28. Obviously things will change before the playoff rosters are announced and go back down to 26 players. I'm really excited to see Will back and hopefully all goes well. It's an important day.
When Pages returns, that leaves the bench with Rojas, Feduccia, Kike, Call / Thomas / Freeland. Apparently NO DePaula, Ryan or Tibbs.
I’m no GM but that bench, offensively, is horseshit. I’d like to see some specific skills like slug or the ability to steal a base from the bench. The cupboard is pretty bare in that regard: RHB: Rojas - .279/.721 3 homers and 0 stolen bases. Proven playoff guy and indispensable. Kike - .227/.686 2 homers and 0 steals. Waiting on his October magic Call - .255/.690 1 homer and 1 stolen base. Platoon w/ Teo? Nice defender, limited offense impact
Switch hitter: Freeland - .231/.622 3 homers and 2 steals. Same as Call. Do we need another infielder w/ no pop
LHB: Thomas - .186/.554 2 homers and 4 steals. Nice defender but no impact as a hitter. A LHB, Call
I’d like to see a little left handed slug or the ability to steal a base available off the bench instead of Call, Freeland or Thomas.
Let’s look at players in AAA who could bring slug or speed to the dance: DePaula - AAA .307/.954 26 homers and 29 stolen bases Ward - AAA .256/.807 17 homers 7 steals Tibbs - AAA .295/.965 27 homers and 2 steals
After studying this data, it seems clear to me that the one guy with the biggest toolbox to be added to a playoff roster is Josue DePaula. So why not get his ass up now and let him get acclimated and see what he can do?
Per Katie Woo:
Lots of different parts, including some that were communicated otherwise over the weekend.
Will Smith, Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski have been activated off the IL. Alex Freeland is up with rosters expanding. Alek Thomas was optioned, Ben Rortvedt DFA’d.
Dave Roberts had said the team would be looking to add a left-handed bench bat. That will be Rushing. Smith and Hunter Feduccia will catch. Freeland gives them another lefty that can play second with Tommy Edman the likeliest to slot to CF
With the Padres sale at $3.9MM and the Angels reportedly north of that, the MLBPA has to be absolutely giddy continuing with negotiations for the next CBA. The owners cannot claim poverty as the value of their teams just turned on their turbo jets. They can, and I am sure many will, claim they do not have the resolute revenue to contend. Tell that to the Rays. Tell that to the Brewers. Tell that to the Guardians. Maybe if the Marlins, Reds, Pirates, Nationals, Orioles, and Twins spent more on their product, or even player development, they would be WC contenders, if not Division leaders.
If I were Bruce Meyer, I would tell the owners to pound sand on any offer with a salary cap. Yes, teams like the Dodgers, NYY, NYM, Philadelphia, Toronto, Boston, Braves, and Cubs, have better revenues. They always will. The Giants could be there if they spent more wisely, but their product has waned in the last few years, reducing their revenues. They used to be a nightly sellout crowd.
Are the owners really going to risk a devaluation of their franchises with demands for a salary cap that could lose much if not all of the 2027 season?
As of early 2026, the MLBPA held approximately $519 million in total assets to prepare for potential work stoppages or negotiations. I can also see 2026 FA early and get substantial signing bonuses. The players may lose salaries, but the owners will lose value, and it may take a while for the public to forgive MLB for the lockout, and return to games.
I would rather see Freeland than Ward!
I am OK with it because we will likely see a platoon at 2B with Rojas and Freeland. Freeland is still not "league average" on offense, but his defense is stellar, and he hits RHP better. MiggyRo has a .838 OPS against LHP, so this might be good.
Edman will be the primary CF with Kike spelling Tucker and Muncy. I am surprised Call stayed. It has been reported that Rushing has resumed light throwing. Sounds like he got PRP...
The defense will be super strong... except in the Corner Outfield Positions.
I don't disagree with Andrew much, but I did disagree with him on Tucker and Diaz and now DePaula. It makes me want to think that he might trade him for a SS in the offseason. Leo DeVries? OK... I'll wait!
Also, why not put Ward on Waivers? He has no future in LA... and no trade value.
I will be totally honest with you; I do not like Freeland. I saw him kill too many rallies when he was up earlier in the year. You want defense? Ok, I would have brought up Miller if that was what you need. Hitting almost as well as Freeland at OKC with more pop. LH bat too.
I wonder If Andrew Friedman is planning on giving Shohei a 10 day IL breather. Bring up JDP to platoon with Tio. And give Rushing the bulk of the DH at bats. Just a thought. Oh and hello, it's just an opinion. Book em
10:10 PM ET
Cardinals (68-70) Dodgers (82-55)
SP Michael McGreevy R 5-9 3.86 ERA SP Eric Lauer L 8-6 4.78 ERA
Confirmed Lineup DH S. Ohtani L 1B F. Freeman L SS Mookie Betts R 3B Max Muncy L C Will Smith R RF Kyle Tucker L CF Tommy Edman S LF T. Hernandez R 2B A. Freeland S
72° Wind 9 mph Out LINE LAD -199
Per Jack Harris:
Dave Roberts said Blake Treinen is in town and will be active “very soon”
Edwin Díaz will likely throw another live session in the coming week, then go out on a rehab assignment
In other pitching news: Dave Roberts said Ben Casparius had a setback during his rehab assignment and has been shut down again. Called it "arm fatigue"
Justin Wrobleski will pitch out of the bullpen after returning from the IL, per Dave Roberts
Los Angeles Dodgers sent LHP Kris Bubic on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Comets. Oklahoma City Comets activated CF Alek Thomas.
Per Emily Waldron: Zyhir Hope has his 27th home run of the season.
This is off topic, but my son, who is more of a Football Fan than a baseball fan, wrote this:
Open on monumental-banoffee-27cfc7.netlify.apphttps://monumental-banoffee-27cfc7.netlify.app/If you know anything about Anthony Richardson, you might appreciate it.
He watches maybe 12 Dodger games during the season, but is all in for the playoffs.
It is one heck of a piece...
Best offensive season by a Dodger?
Hanley Ramirez - 191 wRC+, .345/.402/.638
ok, he only played in 86 games, so there's that. wRC+ is a rate stat, not a counting stat. Here are the top five Dodger seasons for wRC+.
Hanley Ramírez, 2013 — 191 wRC+ (86 games, 336 PA; .345/.402/.638 with 20 HR). Injury-shortened but the highest qualified mark. Mike Piazza, 1997 — 183 wRC+ (152 games; .362/.431/.638 with 40 HR). One of the best pure offensive seasons by a catcher in franchise history. Pedro Guerrero, 1985 — 181 wRC+ (137 games; .320/.422/.577 with 33 HR). Extremely productive multi-position year. Shohei Ohtani, 2024 — 180 wRC+ (159 games as primarily a DH; .310/.390/.646 with 54 HR and 59 SB). Historic volume and efficiency. Gary Sheffield, 2000 — 174 wRC+ (141 games; .325/.438/.643 with 43 HR).
If you're going by WAR, which is a counting stat that also factors in defense, Jackie Robinson leads in Baseball Reference WAR with 9.7 in 1951. He was a great defensive player, which bumps that WAR up, so not purely an offensive monster season.
Top five single-season position-player (offensive) seasons in Dodgers franchise history by Baseball-Reference WAR (bWAR):
Jackie Robinson, 1951 — 9.7 WAR .338/.429/.527, elite defense and baserunning at second base. Highest position-player WAR in franchise history. Adrián Beltré, 2004 — 9.6 WAR .334/.388/.629 with 48 home runs and outstanding defense at third base. Finished second in NL MVP voting. Jackie Robinson, 1949 — 9.3 WAR NL MVP season: .342/.432/.528, led the league in batting average and stolen bases. Shohei Ohtani, 2024 — 9.2 WAR Full-time DH year: .310/.390/.646, 54 HR, 59 SB (first 50/50 season in MLB history). Highest WAR ever by a primary designated hitter. Duke Snider, 1953 — 9.1 WAR .336/.419/.627 with 42 home runs in center field.
These rankings come from Baseball-Reference’s Dodgers single-season position-player WAR leaders and are consistent with contemporary summaries (including through 2025). Ohtani’s strong 2025 two-way season (roughly 7.7 total bWAR) did not surpass these pure position-player marks.
Fangraphs calculates WAR a little differently, and puts him slightly ahead of Robinson, and Beltre still had that insane season.
Top five Dodgers single-season position-player FanGraphs WAR (fWAR)
Adrián Beltré, 2004 — 9.7 fWAR Elite offense + outstanding defense at third base. This is the clear franchise leader among position players on FanGraphs. Jackie Robinson, 1949 — 9.6 fWAR His MVP season (.342/.432/.528, 37 SB). Still essentially tied for the top. Shohei Ohtani, 2024 — ~9.0–9.1 fWAR Historic pure-hitting/DH season (54 HR, 59 SB). Highest ever by a primary DH. Jackie Robinson, 1951 — 9.0 fWAR Another outstanding all-around year. Duke Snider (1953 or 1955) or another high Robinson/Snider season — generally in the 8.5–9.0 range Snider’s peak years (especially 1953) remain among the best, though slightly behind the top four on the FanGraphs scale.
Stats are courtesy of Grok doing my quick research for me.
For a pure offensive season, Ohtani's 2024 was legendary, but Piazza actually had a better offensive year in 1997, and he played in only 7 fewer games than Ohtani. He hit .362 with 40 home runs!
And for everyone clamoring for Josue De Paula as some sort of savior for the Dodgers, just two words - Diego Cartaya.
This is Eric Lauer's last game as a Dodger.
Sorry, but Stone, Sheehan, and Treinen are at the ready.
Thanks for your service, Eric!
Well this one is putting me to sleep. I have it recording. If something happens worth watching I’ll check it tomorrow.
I love this team win or lose
Now I really think we’re in trouble; this team has forgotten how to hit at the major league level—just look at their inability to do any damage against that mediocre starting pitcher (you only have to look at his career stats). In my opinion, Freeman is the only one who comes out of this unscathed; the rest of the offense is just pitiful. I haven't the faintest idea what the people in charge of the offense will do to fix this, but something needs to happen urgently—otherwise, I’m afraid the team won’t go very far in the postseason.
We could be winning this game but you playin'.
Has anyone noticed Keekay looks cooked?