Los Angeles Dodgers: 2016 Fantasy Preview

N.L, West

Los Angeles Dodgers

Must Own Fantasy Player: Corey Seager

Potential Fantasy Bust: Justin Turner

Rookie Prospect to Watch: Julio Urias

The Dodgers head into 2016 looking to secure another division crown even though there has been vast roster turnover within the division. From a fantasy perspective, they still have plenty of interesting options which should propel them to contend all season.

Clearly the team’s surest and most proven fantasy asset is, Clayton Kershaw, who will still be a first round selection this spring after posting yet another dominant season. Losing Zach Greinke will be a blow, but they are looking to Scott Kazmir and Brett Anderson to bring consistency and stability in 2016. Hyun-jin Ryu return is still up in the air as he comes back from shoulder surgery, so owners have to take a wait and see approach.

Kazmir should be a mid-round selection as owner’s hope that he can show more of what he did in the first half of last season, over a full season with the Dodgers. Anderson is more of a latter round pick thanks to his checkered injury history, but he was solid last season.They also brought in Japanese sensation Kenta Maeda, amidst some possible shoulder concerns, so he is also shaping up as more of a late round flier next season as owners need to temper expectations for the 2016 season.

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Offensively, the club will need both breakout and bounce back seasons from some of their most vital pieces. The only real consistent offensive piece that the Dodgers have is Adrian Gonzalez who continues to post 20+ HR and 80+ RBI and the newly re-singed Howie Kendrick, whose playing time and role is still yet to be determined.

The real key to the division crown will lie in the hands of Corey Seager and Joc Pederson. Pederson was a stud for the first half of last season, but struggled mightily in the second half. He needs to figure out a repeatable batting stance at the plate because if he can, the upside and potential to buy low on him this season, is impossible to pass up.

Seager, like nearly every rookie last season, cemented himself rather quickly and offered everyone a glimpse into why he is the top prospect in the game. His power upside and the fact that you are getting it from the shortstop position will drive up his cost on draft day, but if there were a guy to reach for, he certainly looks the part.

No one knows what to expect from Yasiel Puig, even though the hope is that a new coaching staff may turn him around. There is no question about the raw talent and that alone warrants a draft day flier in itself, but can he avoid the nagging injuries and play motivated? Fantasy owners will have to decide where they stand.

Justin Turner has really tuned his career around with the Dodgers and has emerged as a much more valuable contributor than anyone could imagine. But, even though he has shown clear improvement, can he recover completely from off-season knee surgery? Will the Dodgers crowded infield strip Turner of a steady source of at bats? It is hard to determine now, so he has a cloud of uncertainty around him, and owners will probably be better off chasing another third basemen with more upside and a steady source at bats.

Andre Ethier has been solid, albeit it mostly a platooned role, so he does not seem to be draftable unless he gets shipped. Yasmani Grandal seems to be a, .230 AVG/15 HR type of hitter, so the only leagues where he should be drafted are those that enlist two starting catchers.

The backend of the bullpen will still be anchored by Kenley Jansen who is easily one of the best closers in the game. He should be drafted within the top ten RP next season, and he should continue to offer, 35+ SV/90 K production. For those in leagues that reward Holds, look to snag Yimi Garcia, as he looks to be the top set-up man.

Juilo Urias is a top pitching prospect and seems to be on the verge of joining Seager in the big leagues soon. He needs a little more time in the minors against the upper level hitters, but his stuff is legit and he really does not have much more to prove in the minors. If the Dodgers get hit with the injury bug in the rotation, look for Urias to be one of the most likely candidates to come up.

Next: Billy Hamilton: 2016 Fantasy Projections

The Dodgers should be in contention all season in what looks to be an entertaining race in the N.L. West. They have their share of solid fantasy contributors and potential bounce back options, so fantasy owners should be monitoring the team pretty regularly in 2016.

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