Five greatest Dodgers draft picks of the 21st century

When the 2025 MLB Draft will get underway, the Los Angeles Dodgers will not have a variety till after the primary spherical has been accomplished. 

Nevertheless, if historical past is any indicator, the Dodgers will just do high quality when their time comes with the fortieth and forty first general picks as a part of the Aggressive Steadiness Spherical A portion of the draft.

Trying again at among the prime draft picks this century (since 2000) for the Dodgers, the franchise has actually hit on some gems within the first spherical, but in addition has a knack for locating diamonds within the later rounds as effectively. 

Right here, we record the highest 5 Dodgers draft picks of the twenty first century, rating them by Wins Above Alternative (WAR) as measured by Baseball Reference.

Nathan Eovaldi (eleventh spherical, 2008) — 23.8 bWAR

The 2-time All-Star was drafted by the Dodgers and made his debut with the franchise (pitching in 32 video games general for the Dodgers), however has produced extra bWAR exterior Chavez Ravine than inside it.

After being traded by the Dodgers to the Miami Marlins on July 25, 2012, Eovaldi finally would have a little bit of revenge towards his former workforce. As a part of the Boston Crimson Sox, Eovaldi allowed three hits and one earned run over three appearances (8.0 innings) within the 2018 World Collection, captured by Boston in 5 video games.

Cody Bellinger (4th spherical, 2013) — 28.0 bWAR

Bellinger gained Rookie of the Yr with the Dodgers in 2017 and captured the Nationwide League Most Worthwhile Participant Award in 2019, the identical 12 months he gained his solely Gold Glove thus far.

Since being non-tendered by the Dodgers in 2022 following a pair of subpar seasons, Bellinger has performed for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. His time in Chicago included a rebound 12 months in 2023 when he posted 4.8 bWAR, the second-best mark of his profession.

Russell Martin (seventeenth spherical, 2002) — 38.7 bWAR

A four-time All-Star, Martin was initially drafted by the Montreal Expos within the thirty fifth spherical of the 2000 MLB Draft. Nevertheless, the Montreal native would make a giant splash with the Dodgers after being picked a lot earlier within the 2002 draft.

Martin, a member of the Canadian Baseball Corridor of Fame and Museum, made his debut in 2006 and instantly turned the face of the franchise behind the plate. He performed six seasons for the Dodgers and break up his different eight seasons between the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees.

Corey Seager (1st spherical, 2012) — 39.7 bWAR

Making his debut in 2015, Seager has made a postseason influence for each the Dodgers and Texas Rangers, incomes World Collection Most Worthwhile Participant honors for each franchises.

In his first full season in 2016, Seager burst onto the MLB scene by slashing .308/.365/.512 in 687 plate appearances with 26 homers and 72 RBI. He gained the NL Rookie of the Yr that season and completed third in MVP voting.

Clayton Kershaw (1st spherical, 2006) — 79.8 bWAR

The longer term Corridor of Famer simply posted his 3,000th profession strikeout, certainly one of simply 20 pitchers to ever accomplish the feat.

Kershaw has solely performed for the Dodgers since making his MLB debut on Might 25, 2008. Now in his 18th season with the membership, Kershaw owns three NL Cy Younger Awards and one NL MVP honor whereas ending because the league’s ERA chief on 5 completely different events.