Dodgers Surprises, Disappointments, And MVPs From The 2015 Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2015 season with a much-different looking roster from the previous year, but carried the same expectations as always -- to win the World Series. While the ultimate goal wasn't achieved, it doesn't take away the success the team achieved over the course of six months. For instance, the club clinched the National League West division for a franchise-record third consecutive season. And for all the talk last offseason about the Dodgers lacking power after trading away Matt Kemp and letting Hanley Ramirez sign elsewhere, they ended up leading the NL in home runs with 187 during the regular season. With the offseason underway, let's look back at the disappointments, great performances, and surprises from the 2015 season. Disappointments Yasiel Puig: In an injury-ridden year, Puig posted career-lows in nearly every offensive category, including on-base percentage (.322), extra-base hits (26), and OPS (.758). Jimmy Rollins: The long-time Philadelphia Phillies shortstop had a less than impressive first season in Los Angeles, as he slashed just .224/.285/.358 (78 OPS+) in 563 plate appearances. Brandon McCarthy: Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May, McCarthy made just four starts in the month of April, posting a 5.87 ERA and 6.22 FIP in 23 innings pitched. CONTINUE READING: Andre Ethier, Solid Contributors In 2015, And More Solid Contributors Andre Ethier: It was a resurgent year for Ethier, getting the majority of his playing time against left-handed pitchers. In 445 plate appearances, he slashed .294/.366/.486 with 20 doubles and 14 home runs. Adrian Gonzalez: The steady first baseman appeared in 156 games in 2015, setting career-bests in OPS (.830), home runs (28), and walks (62) since the start of his tenure with the Dodgers in 2012. Kenley Jansen: Starting his 2015 campaign in mid-May, Jansen finished the regular season with elite numbers across the board: 36 saves; a 2.41 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and 0.78 WHIP in 52.1 innings pitched. Howie Kendrick: After spending his first nine seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kendrick was traded to the Dodgers in December and filled the second base void well, recording 137 hits and posting a .746 OPS in 495 plate appearances. CONTINUE READING: Kiké Hernandez, Pleasant Surprises, And More Pleasant Surprises Kiké Hernandez: The super-utility specialist posted a .836 on-base plus slugging percentage in 218 plate appearances and played at six different positions over the course of 2015. Brett Anderson: In his first season with the Dodgers, Anderson logged a career-high 180.1 innings pitched and produced an MLB-best 66.3 ground ball percentage, amounting to a 1.7 fWAR. Mike Bolsinger: With many injuries to the starting rotation, Bolsinger was called upon and made the best of his opportunity, posting career-bests in ERA (3.62), strikeouts (98), starts (21) and innings pitched (109.1). The Bullpen: Arguably the team's Achilles' heel in 2014, the Dodgers' relief corps was vastly improved in 2015. With veterans such as Jansen and J.P. Howell, young arms including Pedro Baez and Yimi Garcia, and newcomers Chris Hatcher and Juan Nicasio, the bullpen collectively accumulated 4.5 fWAR -- good for eighth-best in baseball. CONTINUE READING: Corey Seager, Bright Futures, And More Bright Futures Corey Seager: Making his long-awaited MLB debut in September, Seager batted .337 with 13 extra-base hits in 113 plate appearances and displayed above-average defense at both the third base and shortstop positions. Yasmani Grandal: Acquired from the San Diego Padres last December, Grandal went on to make his first All-Star team and posted career-highs in home runs (16) and walks (65), some of which came while playing through a shoulder injury sustained in August. Joc Pederson: Despite a major second-half slump, Pederson was selected to his first All-Star Game and Home Run Derby in July and finished his rookie season with 26 home runs, 92 walks, and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. CONTINUE READING: Zack Greinke And Other 2015 MVPs MVPs Zack Greinke: In his third season with Los Angeles, Greinke posted the lowest ERA in Major League Baseball since 1995 (1.66) to go along with a ridiculously low 0.84 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 222.2 innings pitched. He is a strong favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, and it will be interesting to see how hard the Dodgers push to keep him in blue for the foreseeable future with a likely opt-out looming. Clayton Kershaw: The 2014 MVP and NL Cy Young Award winner enjoyed another dominant season in 2015, pitching to a 2.13 ERA and 1.99 FIP in 232.2 innings. He became the first Dodgers pitcher since Sandy Koufax in 1966 to record 300 strikeouts and will be among the three finalists for this year's Cy Young voting. Justin Turner: Becoming the full-time starting third baseman in May, Turner went on to hit a career-high 16 home runs in 126 games during the regular season with 60 RBIs. Against his former team, the New York Mets, in the National League Division Series, Turner slashed .526/.550/.842 with six doubles in 20 plate appearances.

Dodgers Surprises, Disappointments, And MVPs From The 2015 Season

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