The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ roster stocked with exceptional talent, naturally raises the question of who will comprise their everyday starting lineup. On Thursday, manager Dave Roberts provided some clarity, revealing the first four players who will regularly feature in that lineup, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The inclusion of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in the starting lineup was widely anticipated, given their status as three of baseball’s premier players. Manager Dave Roberts also announced that Teoscar Hernandez will join this trio at the top of the Dodgers’ batting order.
Los Angeles Dodgers Put Star Foot Forward, Teoscar Hernandez Earns His New Contract
- 1. Shohei Ohtani
- 2. Mookie Betts
- 3. Freddie Freeman
- 4. Teoscar Hernandez
Shohei Ohtani will resume his role as the Dodgers’ designated hitter this season, with the expectation that he will also return to the pitching mound, potentially as early as May. Freeman will continue to hold down first base, while Betts will take over shortstop duties. Hernandez, an outfielder, re-signed with the Dodgers during the offseason. Despite attracting interest from numerous teams during free agency, he ultimately chose to return to the reigning champions.
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Hernandez, 32, had a highly successful 2024 season. In addition to contributing to their World Series victory, he earned his second career All-Star selection. His impressive performance at the plate, slashing .272/.339/.501/.840 across 652 plate appearances, also garnered him 19th place in National League MVP voting. Hernandez’s stat line included 33 home runs, 32 rebounds (likely a typo and should be something else, perhaps doubles?), 99 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.
While Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman will undoubtedly command much of the spotlight on the Dodgers’ roster, given their superstar status, Hernandez has firmly established himself as a star in his own right.
Roberts and the Dodgers organization recognize Hernandez’s immense value to the team’s overall success. The decision to place him within the top four spots of what many consider one of baseball’s most formidable lineups underscores the Dodgers’ confidence in his abilities. Hernandez’s presence in the batting order provides crucial protection for the aforementioned superstars, likely leading to more favorable pitching matchups for those hitting around him.