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Los Angeles Dodgers: The six breakout stars of the last six seasons

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 04: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the batter's box on a single in the third inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on July 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 04: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the batter's box on a single in the third inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on July 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

2014: Justin Turner

  • 2014 season: .340 AVG, 16 HR, 60 RBI, .897 OPS

  • Career prior: .260 AVG, 8 HR, 89 RBI, .684 OPS (318 games) 

2015 was the year that Justin Turner really got it going as the everyday second baseman for the Dodgers and as one of the best third basemen in all of baseball. However, 2015 was preluded by 2014, where Turner put his name on the map to take over the job from Juan Uribe as the Dodgers found their first, of many, diamond in the rough.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Turner in February of 2014 after then bench coach, Tim Wallach, say Turner playing at a Cal State Fullerton alumni game. Turner had been released from the Mets earlier that offseason and was likely heading towards retirement if the Dodgers did not take a risk on the then second baseman.

With Uribe seeing DL time in 2014, Turner was granted the opportunity to play and boy did he take advantage. Although he had just 322 plate appearances, his .340 batting average was more than impressive and the power in his refined swing with a high leg kick became evident.

This production led to Turner becoming the outright starting third baseman in 2015 and the eventual Juan Uribe trade in late May. Uribe was a huge fan favorite and replacing him with Turner was the right move.

It all started with a hot start in 2014. If it wasn’t for Tim Wallach, who now coaches for the Miami Marlins, Dodgers’ fans would have never gotten their beloved JT.

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