Dodgers Preview 2026: Second Base

With the infielders reporting for spring training, it’s time to take a look at the second baseman currently on the Dodgers roster. It’s easy to overlook this position as it doesn’t quite have the same amount of star power, but second base is an important position nonetheless. This year, the everyday second baseman will be determined by his ability to get on base and have quality at-bats, two things that could cement this Dodgers lineup as the best historically.

How Will Rojas’s Farewell Season Be?

Based on last season, Miguel Rojas should be first on the depth chart. Besides his late-inning heroics in Game 7 of the World Series, Miguel Rojas is the best second baseman when it comes to getting on base and hitting for average. Last season, Miguel Rojas hit .262 while posting an OBP of .318. 

A .318 OBP is solidly average. In the MLB, every player with at least 200 plate appearances had an average OBP of .317. Miguel Rojas had one of .318, putting him in the average category for  everyday hitters. However, what stands out with Rojas is his ability to hit. In the MLB, players with 200 plate appearances hit on average .247. Rojas hit .262, placing him well into the 60th percentile among MLB players, moving him up the depth chart. What makes the Dodgers so lethal, especially in the postseason, is their ability to drive home runs with timely hitting. Rojas has proven that he can not only hit above average but also deliver in clutch situations, like the World Series. 

Furthermore, it’s important to note his defensive capabilities. In game 7 of the World Series, he made probably the biggest defensive play of the season, getting the forceout at home plate, allowing the Dodgers the chance to go and win the game in extras. His glove continues to shine in the big leagues, and so long as his offensive performance continues at the level it is at, it’s hard to make the case that he shouldn’t be the everyday second baseman. 

Will Hyeseong Kim Make the Most of His New Opportunity?

Hyeseong Kim is a good hitter. Last season, he hit .280 on the season, an average that makes him well into the 75th percentile of MLB hitters. It was clear when he was called up to the majors that Hyeseong Kim showed flashes of offensive excellence, a skill that will only get better as he becomes more accustomed to the speed of MLB. At times last season, Hyeseong Kim looked like one of the most consistent hitters in the MLB. At other times, he struggled as any rookie would. His OBP suffered as a result. He was slightly below average when it came to his ability to get on base, a mark that I’m sure he will strive to improve upon. 

Hyeseong Kim should be viewed as the dark horse candidate, and also a potential breakout candidate for this already loaded Dodger roster. If he can adjust to MLB pitching as all players do, expect to see a star in the making in an already star-studded lineup. 

Ankle Issues Still Plaguing Edman

The one-year removed NLCS MVP is looking to make a return to the starting lineup and impact the MLB. Battling with injuries last year, Tommy Edman recently revealed that he underwent ankle surgery in the offseason to address some problems that he’d been facing last season. As a result of these injuries, his numbers don’t jump off the page. His average was below the MLB average, and his OBP fell as well. And yet, despite the low offensive numbers, I still think that when healthy, Tommy Edman is the Dodgers’ second baseman. As with any injury, there’s no guarantee that Edman will return to his prime form, but don’t count him out. 

Historically, the impact Tommy Edman had in 2024 when the Dodgers won it all spoke volumes to who he is, a champion, a battler at the plate, and someone who has proven that they can be an effective hitter. Tommy Edman has proven that even though he isn’t as big as Shohei or has the same amount of power as Freddy Freeman, he can still be the best player on the field on any given night. Given this X-factor, it’s hard to discredit him as just another player on the depth chart. 

There’s a reason that Cardinals fans were devastated after losing Tommy Tanks. For they weren’t just losing a second baseman, but they were losing a battle-tested bat that has proven he can make an impact for any lineup. That makes him dangerous, and is something fans should be excited for this upcoming season. 

Conclusion

The competition for everyday second-basemen will be an interesting one. Whoever can establish that they are the more efficient and consistent hitter will receive the everyday job of second base. 

DodgersBeat Grade: B