{"id":832818,"date":"2026-10-19T07:57:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T07:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/832818\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T07:57:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T07:57:58","slug":"dodgers-report-card-shohei-ohtani-gets-an-f-two-hitters-get-an-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/832818\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers report card: Shohei Ohtani gets an F, two hitters get an A"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dodgers won 100 games<\/a> this season. They claimed the National League West yet again. But, after reaching the National League Championship Series, their World Series three-peat bid flamed out in a sweep to the Brewers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the wake of their elimination, the California Post graded the season of every player on the Dodgers\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n

First up, the offense, which ranked top five in the regular season in scoring, batting average and OPS \u2013\u2013 but faltered in the playoffs and was shut down in the NLCS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani: F<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after striking out during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

To be clear: The two-way star was the second-best player in the National League this year, hitting 30 home runs and posting a sub-2.00 ERA in 14 starts on the mound. Even in a relatively down year for him, he finished fifth in the majors in FanGraphs\u2019 version of wins above replacement. He remains, undoubtedly, MLB\u2019s foremost star player and the Dodgers\u2019 most potent weapon.<\/p>\n

But that is why the way his season finished<\/a> was such a failure.<\/p>\n

What mattered most for the Dodgers this year was having Ohtani \u2013\u2013 especially as a hitter \u2013\u2013 at full strength come the postseason. By trying to play through right arm and left knee injuries, he wasn\u2019t. <\/p>\n

And while there is blame to be shared for the way his health was managed<\/a>, from team decision-makers to Ohtani himself, it is impossible not to second-guess what this October might have looked like if the slugger was in a better place physically.<\/p>\n

Instead, his .192 playoff batting average<\/a> was not nearly enough to save the Dodgers\u2019 offense. In the end, his one big swing in Game 4 of the NLCS<\/a> was too little, too late. Moving forward, he and the team might have to reimagine his usage<\/a> to avoid a repeat of this year. Because, especially as the rest of the roster gets older, they can\u2019t afford another late-season injury crisis like this with Ohtani again.<\/p>\n

Freddie Freeman: B-<\/p>\n

In his 17th MLB season, Freeman earned his 10th career All-Star selection, finished 13th in the majors in total hits, and continued his march towards Cooperstown. But, the 37-year-old also saw his total production (measured by WAR) decline for a fourth straight year.<\/p>\n

He hit just one regular-season home run after July 4. His batting average dropped from .306 to .288 amid a knee issue in September<\/a>. And despite a couple big swings in the playoffs, he finished October just 5-for-29. Now, entering the final season of his contract but intending to play at least a couple more beyond that, the Dodgers will have to start deciding if he will remain in their longer-term plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mookie Betts: B<\/p>\n

Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n

What was shaping up to be a lost year for Betts instead finished with signs of renewed life<\/a>. On Aug. 4, he was hitting .223 with a .670 OPS. In 46 games after that, he posted a .315\/.399\/.562 slash line while nearly doubling his home run total from 13 to 23. <\/p>\n

It was the best he had looked since the first half of 2024 and a reminder that, even at 34 years old now, there is a superstar level he is still capable of reaching. The Dodgers will be hoping that\u2019s what they get from him in 2027.<\/p>\n

Max Muncy: B+<\/p>\n

This was a resurgent season for Muncy, who returned to the All-Star Game<\/a> for the first time since 2021 while hitting for his highest average (.252) since 2018. He stayed healthy, playing 149 games and hitting 29 home runs. <\/p>\n

He also improved his defense, earning a nod as a Gold Glove finalist at third base. He\u2019ll be back at third next season, in the final guaranteed year of his contract.<\/p>\n

Andy Pages: A-<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (44) celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game four of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Pages didn\u2019t sustain his torrid pace from early in the year (he had a .303 average and .899 OPS on May 27, then a .254 average and .751 OPS thereafter) but still cemented himself as the youngest core piece of the roster<\/a>, earning an All-Star nod with his improved approach and stellar center-field defense. His postseason was an improvement from 2025, too<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez: C<\/p>\n

A late surge at the plate helped save some of Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s season-long numbers (.267 average, .759 OPS) following a prolonged slump upon his return from a hamstring strain. <\/p>\n

But after being bandied around in potential trade discussions last offseason, it\u2019s possible his future with the club could be in question again this winter.<\/p>\n

Kyle Tucker: D<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) reacts after a double during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The only thing saving this from being an F is the way Tucker finished his otherwise dismal debut season<\/a>, highlighted by a team-best .333 batting average in the playoffs. Still, the 29-year-old played nowhere near expectations after his $240 million offseason signing, setting career lows in average (.233), OPS (.715) and home runs (17).<\/p>\n

The Dodgers will be desperate for him to return to form next year, when he will play an even more vital role in their still-aging lineup. If not, those $60 million player options in 2028 and 2029 will start to feel like poison pills.<\/p>\n

Will Smith: C<\/p>\n

This is a relatively incomplete grade, given Smith was limited to just 73 games by a three-month neck injury. But even when he did play, the veteran backstop took a step back. His .260 average and .781 OPS were the second-lowest marks of his career (ahead of only 2024). He went just 3-for-31 in the playoffs, salvaging only so much with his Game 3 double in the NLCS.<\/p>\n

Tommy Edman: C<\/p>\n

After missing the start of the year recovering from ankle surgery, Edman did little more than meet expectations in his utility role with the Dodgers. He was a streaky .247 hitter, finishing with a just-about-league-average .714 OPS. He played good defense and shifted around the diamond. But any more profound impact was limited.<\/p>\n

Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez: C<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 Enrique Hern\u00e1ndez (8) throws to first base to force out Milwaukee Brewers\u2019 Brice Turang (2) during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Injuries derailed Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s year. And though he had another big October moment \u2013\u2013 hitting a home run off Chris Sale in the NLDS \u2013\u2013 there was little else to take from his 13th big-league campaign. Once again a free agent, he will represent one of the more intriguing questions of the Dodgers\u2019 winter. <\/p>\n

Each of the last three offseasons, they have re-signed him to a one-year deal. Whether they do so again could be a signal for how much, or little, of a shakeup they\u2019re planning for next year.<\/p>\n

Dalton Rushing: B<\/p>\n

For Rushing, it was a year of promising highs (seven home runs in March\/April, .288 batting average in July) and frustrating lows (emotional outbursts early in the year, his spat with Ohtani on the mound in June<\/a>, and a late-season elbow injury that sidelined him for the playoffs) for the former top prospect. He has more to prove entering Year 3 in 2027.<\/p>\n

Alex Freeland: C<\/p>\n

Another ex-prospect, Freeland didn\u2019t capitalize on increased opportunity this year, hitting just .234 with only 13 extra-base hits in 89 games. Though still only 25, he remains on the fringes of the team\u2019s long-term plans.<\/p>\n

Alex Call: C<\/p>\n

The backup outfielder survived the trade deadline. But after hitting just .233 in his reserve role, he might not be a lock to return in his reserve role next year.<\/p>\n

Josue De Paula: B+<\/p>\n

Josue De Paula of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a triple during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n

In his brief MLB debut, De Paula did everything right as a hitter<\/a>, reaching base at a .500 clip in 11 regular-season games before drawing two key walks as a pinch-hitter in October. Offensively, he seems ready for everyday big-league duties. But the gigantic question mark about his outfield defense leaves his 2027 role unclear entering the winter.<\/p>\n

Hyeseong Kim: D<\/p>\n

Time will tell if the Dodgers still see something in Kim. But the way he was buried in triple-A this year, after playing just 43 games in the majors in April and May, was not a good sign as he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract.<\/p>\n

Hunter Feduccia: B<\/p>\n

The former Dodgers farmhand returned to the club in a deadline day trade and was perfectly adequate as the backup catcher over the final couple months of the season. Whether there\u2019s a role for him in the organization again next year remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Miguel Rojas: A<\/p>\n

We\u2019re grading on a curve here, in what was a fittingly effective send-off season for the now-retired veteran infielder<\/a>. Rojas did his job by menacing left-handed pitching (.293 average against them), playing stout defense and serving as a vocal leader in the Dodgers\u2019 star-studded clubhouse. After an accomplished 13-year MLB career \u2013\u2013 highlighted by his season-saving home run in Game 7 of last year\u2019s World Series \u2013\u2013 his presence will be missed in the clubhouse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dodgers won 100 games this season. They claimed the National League West yet again. But, after reaching…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":832819,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2290],"tags":[5,2178,815,5953,29,57,1532,4,1526,468,185,1528],"class_list":["post-832818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-baseball","tag-baseball","tag-california","tag-freddie-freeman","tag-kike-hernandez","tag-kyle-tucker","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-max-muncy","tag-mlb","tag-mookie-betts","tag-shohei-ohtani","tag-sports","tag-teoscar-hernandez"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/117466516941798039","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=832818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/832819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=832818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=832818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=832818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}