Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The NLDS roster for the Dodgers won’t have to be confirmed until Friday, but they tentatively revealed their choices today. While most of the choices were predictable, there were a couple mild surprises, including Austin Barnes and Josh Fields both making the roster.
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Starting Pitchers
Clayton Kershaw
Rich Hill
Kenta Maeda
Julio Urias
Relief Pitchers
Kenley Jansen
Joe Blanton
Grant Dayton
Pedro Baez
Ross Stripling
Luis Avilan
Josh Fields
Catchers
Yasmani Grandal
Carlos Ruiz
Austin Barnes
Infielders
Adrian Gonzalez
Chase Utley
Corey Seager
Justin Turner
Charlie Culberson
Outfielders
Joc Pederson
Josh Reddick
Howie Kendrick
Andrew Toles
Yasiel Puig
Andre Ethier
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All of this makes some bit of sense, and it probably always was going to given the choices available for the last players on the 25-man roster. However, that’s not to say some of it wasn’t surprising.
Of particular note was the choice to take Austin Barnes as a third catcher instead of Enrique Hernandez. That seems less about Barnes as it an indication that they want to use Carlos Ruiz against left-handers and needed a catcher in reserve. Of course, if they were going to take Barnes, it was confusing why Enrique played so much and not Barnes, but Dave Roberts said they were trying him out.
Kiké started against every single LHP when active, until final weekend. Roberts said he was trying to get Kiké going, but AB quality waned
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 5, 2016
Barnes also provides some of the same utility as Enrique, being able to play second and also pinch run due to his rare athleticism for a catcher.
Josh Fields is also a bit of a surprising inclusion over the likes of Alex Wood, J.P. Howell, and Jesse Chavez. After struggling mightily with the Astros, Fields did well with the Dodgers, posting a 2.79 ERA and 3.61 FIP in 19.1 innings. He’s not exactly ideal in the sense that his command can waver a bit, but his ability to miss bats is likely what got him onto the playoff roster. Howell being passed over as a LOOGY after posting a 4.09 ERA and 3.50 FIP isn’t too surprising given the emergence of Dayton and Avilan, but he was one of the leaders in the bullpen. Chavez seemed like he could be a swing candidate, but in addition to his 4.21 ERA and 3.96 FIP, Urias and Stripling being available likely made him superfluous. Passing over Alex Wood to only give the bullpen two lefties was a bit of a surprise, especially since Wood has a 0.00 ERA and 1.90 FIP in four innings and his excelled in relief since returning. However, the Nationals mainly have Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy as regular lefties, and Murphy hits lefties well anyway so this choice makes some deal of sense.
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Despite being passed over this time around, Wood, Howell, and Rob Segedin are all travelling with the team just in case.
Kike' Hernandez will be in group of players sent to AZ to "stay hot" in case they're needed. Howell, Wood, Segedin will travel with LAD
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 5, 2016
As is Brock Stewart.
Brock Stewart will also travel with the Dodgers to DC. On "taxi squad"
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 5, 2016
Also, as mentioned, Enrique and others will be in Arizona to stay ready for future playoff series.
