"Now you have Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith" - Nationals All-Star shares insight into Dodgers unique baseball approach

In 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed their second World Series title within a spate of just five years and seem well poised to dominate major league baseball for the next few years.

During an appearance on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast hosted by veteran baseball writer Rob Bradford on Tuesday, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray said that the Los Angeles Dodgers base their success on a strong minor league system while the superstars keep coming and going through the team. He explained that the 2024 team was led by the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, while the team that won the championship in 2020 contained a different bunch of superstars.

"When I was coming up in their farm system, there were guys like [Walker] Buehler there. [Cody] Bellinger was there. [Corey] Seager was still there and things like that. Now you have [Shohei] Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith, and those guys," he said. They're in a world where they know they have the ability to shape their roster around different stars. [24:45 - 27:05]

"Then they fill it in with the young guys that are deserving of their opportunities and make it work. They're clearly World Series champions, and they've got a roster that's tough to beat," he added. "They make sure they get the most out of their guys, not only at the top of the top but also at the lowest runs in the minor leagues. I think it works for them, and it's a recipe that keeps them sustainable."

Josiah Gray was developed by the Dodgers farm system and made his MLB debut with the team before he was traded to the Nationals. He was an All-Star for the Nationals in 2023. However, the former Dodgers prospect made just two starts last year before he was transferred to the IL due to a flexor strain. He later underwent Tommy John surgery that curtailed the rest of his campaign.

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The Dodgers are maintaining consistency with the guys they have in their farm system: Josiah Gray

Josiah Gray made just two starts in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery (Credits: IMAGN)

During his appearance on "Baseball Isn't Boring" on Tuesday evening, Josiah Gray credited the Los Angeles Dodgers for managing to stay in contention for the World Series title every year. He credited the Dodgers for maintaining a strong farm system, which allows them to keep producing top-quality talent every year.

"I loved my time over there and developed me the best they could," he said. "I think they're maintaining consistency with the guys they have in their farm system. They're trusting their guys, and they're getting them big league ready, giving them ample opportunity, whether it's injury or they've finally knocked that door down. Whatever it may be."

Gray had spent two and a half years with the franchise before he was shipped off to the Washington Nationals.