The Dodgers completed the season with 100 wins, securing the National League West division title once again. However, their attempt at a World Series three-peat ended abruptly when they were swept by the Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
Following their exit from the postseason, The California Post took a look at each player’s performance throughout the season.
Starting with the offense, which ranked among the top five in scoring, batting average, and OPS during the regular season, it struggled significantly in the playoffs, particularly in the NLCS.
Shohei Ohtani: F
It’s important to note that Ohtani was, by many measures, the second-best player in the National League this year, blasting 30 home runs and maintaining a sub-2.00 ERA in 14 pitching starts. Even in what some may see as a less-than-stellar season for him, he still ranked fifth in the majors for wins above replacement according to Fangraphs. No doubt, he is a major asset for the Dodgers.
That said, his playoff performance was disappointing.
The Dodgers needed Ohtani to be at his best as they headed into the postseason, especially as a hitter. Unfortunately, injuries to his right arm and left knee hindered him from achieving that goal.
There’s certainly accountability to share regarding his health management, involving both the front office and Ohtani, but you can’t help but wonder how different things might have been if he had been in better shape this October.
His .192 batting average during the playoffs ultimately didn’t help the team. His key moment in Game 4 of the NLCS felt more like a last-ditch effort than a game-changer. Going forward, balancing his usage properly will be vital to avoiding similar injury issues, especially as the team continues to age.
Freddie Freeman: B-
Freeman, in his 17th season, made it to the All-Star Game for the tenth time and ranked 13th in the majors for total hits. On the downside, his overall production, as measured by WAR, has seen a decline for four straight years.
He only hit one home run after July 4, and his batting average dipped from .306 to .288 due to a knee issue in September. He had a rocky October, as he finished 5-for-29 in the playoffs. With the final year of his contract coming up, the Dodgers will need to decide if he fits into their future plans.
Mookie Betts: B
This year started off rocky for Betts, but he managed to find his form as the season progressed. On August 4, he was batting .223 with a .670 OPS. In the 46 games that followed, he surged to a .315 batting average with a .399 on-base percentage and .562 slugging percentage, while nearly doubling his home runs from 13 to 23.
This resurgence reminded fans that, even at 34, he can still play at a superstar level. The Dodgers will undoubtedly be counting on this continued performance in 2027.
Max Muncy: B+
Muncy had a strong comeback season, returning to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2021 and achieving his highest batting average (.252) since 2018. He proved to be durable, participating in 149 games and hitting 29 home runs.
His defensive skills also improved, earning recognition as a finalist for the Gold Glove at third base. He is set to remain at third next season, as he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Andy Pages: A-
Although Pages didn’t maintain his early-season momentum—he had a .303 average and .899 OPS on May 27, which dropped thereafter—he established himself as a core young player with an All-Star selection thanks to his improved batting approach and solid defense in center field. His postseason performance was also better than in 2025.
Teoscar Hernández: C
A late surge helped improve Hernández’s overall numbers to .267 with a .759 OPS after a slow start following a hamstring strain. However, with trade rumors swirling last offseason, his future with the team could again come into question this winter.
Kyle Tucker: D
Tucker salvaged his otherwise disappointing first season with the Dodgers by hitting .333 in the playoffs, which kept this from being a complete failure. Still, after signing for $240 million, he fell short of expectations with career lows in average (.233), OPS (.715), and home runs (17). The Dodgers will be counting on a rebound season next year, especially with his significant contract options ahead.
Will Smith: C
Smith’s grade is somewhat incomplete, given he was only available for 73 games due to a neck injury. When he did play, however, he struggled, registering a .260 batting average and .781 OPS—his second-lowest career numbers. In the playoffs, he managed only a 3-for-31 performance, though he did manage a double in Game 3 of the NLCS.
Tommy Edman: C
Edman, who started the season recovering from ankle surgery, performed to expectations in a utility capacity. He batted a streaky .247 with an average OPS of .714, showing solid defense but limited impact.
Kiké Hernández: C
Injuries clouded Hernández’s season. Even with a notable performance hitting a homer against Chris Sale in the NLDS, there wasn’t much else to celebrate from his 13th season. As a free agent again, his situation could indicate whether the Dodgers plan a shake-up this offseason.
Dalton Rushing: B
Rushing experienced both highs and lows this season, showcasing potential with seven home runs early on and a .288 average in July. Yet, emotional challenges and an elbow injury that sidelined him during the playoffs also characterized his year. He has more to prove as he enters his third season in 2027.
Alex Freeland: C
A former prospect, Freeland wasn’t able to maximize his chances, finishing with a .234 average and just 13 extra-base hits in 89 games. At 25, he remains on the edge of the team’s long-term strategy.
Alex Call: C
The backup outfielder was able to stick with the team past the trade deadline. However, given his .233 batting average, he may not be guaranteed a return next year.
Josue De Paula: B+
De Paula made a positive impact in his brief MLB debut, reaching base at a .500 clip over 11 games and contributing two important walks as a pinch-hitter in October. While his hitting seems ready for a full-time role, questions regarding his outfield defense leave his 2027 position uncertain.
Hyeseong Kim: D
The future for Kim is unclear after he spent much of the season in Triple-A. Playing just 43 games in the majors early on isn’t a promising sign as he approaches the last guaranteed year of his contract.
Hunter Feduccia: B
After returning to the club via trade, Feduccia performed reasonably well as the backup catcher in the final months of the season. His role with the team going forward remains to be seen.
Miguel Rojas: A
This assessment comes with a certain context, marking a fitting end to Rojas’s career as he retires. He effectively confronted left-handed pitching with a .293 average, showcased strong defense, and provided leadership in the clubhouse. After a noteworthy 13-year MLB career, highlighted by his crucial home run in last year’s Game 7 of the World Series, his presence will definitely be missed.
