The 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers roster carried a powerhouse club that steamrolled through the regular season with 104 wins, capturing the National League pennant and pushing the World Series to a dramatic seven games. Led by manager Dave Roberts, this iteration of the franchise blended veteran grit with a wave of electrifying young talent that reshaped the organization's future.
Behind the scenes, the club room culture thrived on relentless energy, dugout antics, and historic individual performances. From Cody Bellinger shattering rookie power records to Clayton Kershaw anchoring the pitching staff, the roster was built for sustained dominance, even if a few heartbreaking October moments left fans wanting more.
The Core Roster and Star Performers
The 2017 squad featured a balanced lineup capable of launching the ball out of any park while playing elite defense. The offensive engine ran through a mix of established stars and breakout rookies who quickly became household names across Major League Baseball.
- Cody Bellinger (1B/OF): The rookie sensation exploded onto the scene by blasting 39 home runs, breaking the National League rookie record and earning the NL Rookie of the Year unanimous vote.
- Corey Seager (SS): Operating as the metronome at shortstop, Seager batted .295 with 22 home runs, earning his second consecutive All-Star nod and a Silver Slugger award.
- Justin Turner (3B): Turner proved to be the emotional heartbeat of the infield, hitting .322 and delivering one of the most iconic swings in franchise history during the postseason.
- Yasiel Puig (RF): Puig enjoyed a career resurgence, contributing 28 home runs and energizing right field with his trademark cannon arm and aggressive baserunning.
- Chris Taylor (CF/UTL): Acquired via a minor trade the previous year, Taylor emerged from obscurity to slash .288 with 21 home runs, locking down the leadoff spot.
The Pitching Staff Architecture
Dave Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt deployed a deep, versatile pitching staff that led the major leagues in multiple categories. The rotation combined frontline aces with creative bullpen deployment.
- Clayton Kershaw: Despite missing a month with a back injury, Kershaw went 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA, racking up 202 strikeouts and capturing another stellar campaign at the top of the rotation.
- Kenley Jansen: Locking down the ninth inning, Jansen was virtually untouchable. He converted 41 saves with a microscopic 1.32 ERA and struck out 109 batters against just 7 walks, winning the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award.
- Rich Hill and Alex Wood: Hill spun a masterclass season featuring a famous near-no-hitter, while Wood went 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA, starting the year with a historic 10-0 streak.
- The Bullpen Bridge: High-leverage arms like Pedro Báez, Brandon Morrow, and Tony Cingrani built a reliable bridge to Jansen, punishing opposing lineups in the middle innings.
Behind the Curtain: Chemistry and Dugout Culture
Chemistry in the clubhouse played a massive role in weathering the club's turbulent moments—including a brutal 11-game losing streak in September that tested their resolve before a strong bounce-back.
Players like Chase Utley provided veteran leadership behind closed doors, teaching younger athletes how to handle the daily media microscope in Los Angeles. The dugout celebrations became legendary, highlighted by the team ritual of head-shattering home run jacket greetings and the lighthearted pranks orchestrated by Enrique Hernández.
The environment fostered a collective mindset where individual statistics took a backseat to team victory. When adversity struck, the leaders held closed-door meetings that realigned their focus, directly paving the way for their dominant National League Championship Series victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NL Rookie of the Year for the 2017 Dodgers?
Cody Bellinger won the award unanimously after breaking the National League rookie home run record with 39 long balls.
How many games did the 2017 Dodgers win?
The team finished the regular season with 104 wins and 58 losses, securing the National League West division title for the fifth consecutive year.
Who pitched in the 2017 World Series for Los Angeles?
The primary World Series pitching workload was shared by Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Yu Darvish, and Alex Wood, supported by a heavy reliance on high-leverage bullpen arms like Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen.
Where can I check complete historical player stats for this season?
You can review detailed yearly data and leaderboards directly on the Baseball-Reference 2017 Dodgers Page.
