The Dodgers offense in 2019 was the best in the National League. The bottom line of baseball is to outscore your opponent, and the team did that in spades last season, leading the National League in runs scored (886), runs batted in (861), home runs (279), and slugging (.472).

Even with the retirement of David Freese, Russell Martin’s free agency, and Alex Verdugo being traded to the Red Sox, the team’s offense should be better in 2020, perhaps much better.

The addition of the designated hitter this season, Mookie Betts hitting at the top of the lineup, a 100% healthy Corey Seager, the maturation of hitters Edwin Rios, Matt Beaty, and Will Smith, plus the addition of Baseball America 2019 minor league Player of the Year Gavin Lux, makes the 2020 Dodgers offense very formidable, perhaps the best in MLB.

But how did the offense look in the Summer Camp intrasquad games? Pretty much as expected, even with hitters facing one of the best pitching staffs in Major League Baseball.

Mookie Betts may be better than expected; he has been very impressive during the scrimmages. Yet, Corey Seager has been the hitting star since the first intrasquad game. Just think, seven months ago, there were Dodgers fans clamoring for the Dodgers to trade Seager and replace him with Francisco Lindor from the Cleveland Indians – oh my!

What about Justin Turner and Max Muncy? They have continued to do what they have done during their Dodgers careers – RAKE!

Others who have done well during intrasquad games? There are so many who have performed well in the scrimmages, let’s consider alphabetically:

Austin Barnes: Solid, if not spectacular. The only question – Was his hitting during scrimmages due to his familiarity with the Dodgers pitchers who he has caught for so many years?

Matt Beaty: He seized his opportunity in 2019 and has looked even better during Summer Camp.

Anthony Garcia: The 28-year-old career minor leaguer has hit (and fielded) well during scrimmages. He isn’t going to make the roster or the taxi squad, but a keeper on the 60-player pool in case of injuries/illnesses.

Kiké Hernandez: When hitting to all fields, he can be an offensive force, and he has been doing that frequently in scrimmages. Free agency walk year may give him additional motivation for a big season.

Zach McKinstry: The 33rd round pick in the 2016 draft continues to make the Dodgers and their fans take notice of his hitting and all-around play. A terrific feel-good story!

Joc Pederson: Power is his game, and power he continues to deliver. He has looked much better against left-handed pitching, but with AJ Pollock, Kiké Hernandez, and Chris Taylor needing at-bats, Joc is destined to be platooned.

A.J. Pollock: Got a late start to Summer Camp due to contracting COVID-19, but has looked good in his limited scrimmage at-bats.

Luke Raley: Reacquired by the Dodgers in the Kenta Maeda trade, he has demonstrated good mechanics and approach, often hitting the ball hard to the opposite field. Another left-handed hitter on a roster already loaded from that side of the plate.

Edwin Rios: All he has done is hit, and hit with as much power as anyone on the roster. He has also turned in several spectacular defensive plays at third base.

Will Smith: See Austin Barnes … only better.

Chris Taylor: A solid hitter who has been regularly going to the opposite field in Summer Camp. He is also one of the finest fielding utility players in MLB.

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OK, that’s the good news. The bad news is there are three players who have struggled during intrasquad games – Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux, and outfield prospect DJ Peters, although each is a proven star, including the defending National League MVP.

Cody Bellinger: Tweaked his mechanics, which remain a work-in-progress. I wouldn’t worry too much about Belly if I were you.

Gavin Lux: Was late reporting to Summer Camp, so the pitchers are well ahead of him, especially those who are throwing quality change-ups and breaking pitches. Again, I wouldn’t worry too much about Luxie if I were you.

DJ Peters: Hasn’t come close to hitting a curveball this summer and will probably begin the season on a taxi squad. Anthony Garcia and minor league journeyman Terrance Gore are ahead of him on the depth chart.

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We have three more opportunities to observe Dodgers hitters (and pitchers) when they play two exhibition games against the Diamondbacks and one against the Angels. Then, on July 23, how pitchers and hitters performed during Summer Camp is irrelevant. The regular season begins and competitive game-intensity ramps up.

…and the race for postseason begins in earnest.

Batter up!

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