Here’s a look at the latest happenings with the Dodgers, featuring insights from baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris as they reflect on the last week, share player ratings, and evaluate the season’s progress.
This week’s question
Who’s the next Dodgers player poised for a breakout?
Previously, we touched on when we might see Shohei Ohtani kick it into gear.
In the last six games, he’s recorded seven hits from 16 at-bats, including a home run and two doubles, all while achieving an impressive on-base percentage of .609.
Now that Ohtani is starting to find his rhythm, what about the other big names returning for the Dodgers?
As of Thursday, the team features five veteran hitters with OPS ranging from .700 to .750: Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez, and Mookie Betts (who’s only played in eight games due to injury). While it’s not a terrible start, it’s definitely not what we expect from them.
Freeman, despite having just three hits in his last 25 at-bats, still holds strong contact stats, ranking high among MLB players in batting average and hard-hit metrics. Yet, he seems a bit subdued lately.
Smith is known for his discipline at the plate, landing in the top 20 for pursuit and whiff rates, but his slugging percentage sits at a low .382, about a hundred points shy of his typical performance.
Hernandez is struggling, particularly with hitting, as indicated by his team-high strikeout count of 31, right after Ohtani.
Then there’s Tucker, who is showing some improvement with hits in six out of seven games, including four doubles, but his overall performance remains underwhelming at the plate and in the field.
Player of the week
Shohei Ohtani (7 hits in 16 at-bats this week, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, season average .273, OPS .897)
Ohtani sees himself as a slow starter when it comes to batting.
Despite a strong finish to this week, his overall performance in April marked one of his poorer starts in four seasons.
Going back through his early months:
- 2022: .247 average, 4 HR, 11 RBI, .722 OPS
- 2023: .294 average, 7 HR, 18 RBI, .897 OPS
- 2024: .336 average, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 1.017 OPS
- 2025: .287 average, 7 HR, 10 RBI, .949 OPS
- 2026: .273 average, 6 HR, 13 RBI, .897 OPS
Even last week, while Ohtani stayed consistent—only hitting one home run over the last 15 games—he started hitting harder and reducing strikeouts, outpacing some of his struggling teammates.
He mentions that adjusting his stance has contributed to his recent success.
Pitcher of the week
Justin Robleski (1st season starter, 6 innings, 0 runs, 4-0 record, ERA 1.50)
Surprisingly, among the Dodgers’ relatively green starters, Robleski has been quietly impressive, especially since he began the season in the bullpen. This 25-year-old left-hander has quickly emerged as a standout, allowing only two runs over 26 innings in four starts.
In his last victory, he held the Cubs scoreless for six innings and faced some early pressure but managed to stay composed.
When asked if this experience aided his growth, Robleski reflected, “I think so. It’s about doing what needs to be done when it counts.”
Importantly, he ended the game with six strikeouts, a pivotal part of his recent success.
This week’s outlook
Josue de Paula (.325 batting average, 2 home runs, 16 RBIs, .915 OPS this season with Double-A Tulsa)
The Dodgers’ top prospect is still addressing questions about his defensive capabilities, but his offensive performance has been solid. Hitting over .300 and reaching base in 19 of 22 games demonstrates his potential, posting 20 walks against 13 strikeouts.
Standing at six-foot-three, he’s yet to fully unlock his power, but breaking an 11-game hitless streak with a home run earlier this week highlights the power the Dodgers anticipate from him.
This week’s Future Dodger
(Sometimes a bit speculative when considering potential future players for the Dodgers)
Paul Skeens, Pirates (ETA: 2030)
Surprisingly, it took a while for Skeens to gain this recognition as a future Dodger. He’s a huge talent, hailing from Southern California and has roots in the local high school scene. With his partner being in the spotlight, the buzz around him is building.
Given the Pirates’ notorious frugality and questionable management, there’s a widely held belief that Skeens won’t finish his career there. This speculation has only intensified with the team’s recent moves.
Skeens will remain under club control until the end of the 2029 season. At that juncture, with Ohtani aging and potential free agents on the horizon, the Dodgers might find themselves vying for Skeens’ talent.
