It is often joked about and the source of friendly banter in National League clubhouses across the country – pitchers hitting. But the simple truth is that it is no laughing matter and is occasionally, perhaps even often the difference between a win or a loss.

Throughout its storied history the Dodgers have always been known for their better than average hitting pitchers – guys like Don Newcombe, Don Drysdale and more recently Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu. And while it is probably safe to say that no pitcher – Dodgers or otherwise – will win a batting title anytime soon, it’s also probably safe to say that the Dodgers will have some of the best hitting pitchers in the league in 2015.

In 1955 Dodgers great Don Newcombe hit seven home runs in a single season – a feat that fellow Dodger Don Drysdale accomplished twice. (AP photo)

When pitchers and catchers reported for spring training a little over a week ago, recently acquired starting pitcher Brett Anderson kidded his good friend and also recently acquired starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy about their hitting.

“I’m an extra base hit guy. I got two hits last year and they were both doubles,” Anderson said. “I just want to be better than him (pointing at McCarthy).”

In his six big league seasons Anderson is 2 for 18 (.111) with both hits, as noted, being doubles. He hit those doubles last season while with the Colorado Rockies with his five previous seasons being in the American League with the Oakland A’s. Anderson has only one career RBI.

As for Brandon McCarthy, he is 5 for 75 (.067) with three RBIs in his nine MLB seasons – two in the National League with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But it’s the other three Dodger starters who carry the big bats, well… at least bigger bats, on the team.

Right-hander Zack Greinke is 49 for 224 (.219) with four home runs, 14 doubles and 11 RBIs through 11 big league seasons. He won a Silver Slugger award in 2013 in his first season with the Dodgers when he hit .328 (19 for 58).

Zack Greinke will try to become only the second Dodger in MLB history to win two Silver Slugger awards. Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela accomplished this remarkable feat in 1981 and 1983.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

And while left-hander Clayton Kershaw doesn’t have a Silver Slugger award among his countless other trophies, he is 63 for 401 (.157) with one home run, four doubles, one triple and 22 RBIs through seven major league seasons.

Fellow lefty Hyun-jin Ryu (who bats right-handed) is 19 for 105 (.181) with five doubles and seven RBIs in his two major league seasons with the Dodgers.

Although it is impossible to project or predict how the Dodgers’ five starters will do at the plate in 2015, Dodger fans can be guaranteed of one thing – the competition among Anderson, McCarthy, Greinke, Kershaw and Ryu is going to be fun to watch.

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Author’s Note: 

It has been widely speculated that the Designated Hitter rule will be among the hot topics for the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) when they vote on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in December of 2016. And while many old-school baseball traditionalists are adamantly opposed to bringing the DH into the National League, it will most likely receive more consideration this time around than ever before and might even make it this time.