MLB Draft: Ranking the Dodgers’ top four first round picks of the 2000s

4. 1B James Loney (2002, Pick 19)

Career Stats with Los Angeles: 896 G, .284 AVG, 71 HR, 451 RBIs

Before Adrian Gonzalez, James Loney was the Dodgers first baseman for as long as I could remember. Debuting in 2006, when I was seven years old, as a kid I could not remember a time when anyone besides Loney was manning first base. That is what made it so bittersweet when he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox.

Obviously, bringing in Adrian Gonzalez was a significant upgrade from Loney and started the revolution in LA that made the Dodgers what they are today. However, as a kid, seeing the Dodgers’ longtime first baseman go was sad, even if he struggled immensely late in his Dodgers career. Like the current Dodgers, Loney could not hit southpaws.

However, Loney did have some bright spots with the Dodgers and served as the third best bat in a trio including Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. Outside of his last season in LA, Loney never batted under .280 and consistently hit double digits in home runs.

Loney got off to a hot start in his MLB career, batting .321 in his first 144 games played. While he never quite got back to those insane numbers, Loney was a consistent producer for the Dodgers for seven seasons. He may not have been anything especially spectacular, but he served his role and served it well for quite some time.