ESPN MLB

For a club that prides itself on its long tradition of Rookie of the Year Award winners, the Dodgers have been pretty reluctant in recent years to commit to young players. As with most other clubs with deep pockets, Los Angeles often has managed to find veterans to fill holes in its lineup, rotation or bullpen rather than take the chance on one of its own.

Circumstances this season, however, have pushed several rookies into key roles, most of them unexpectedly. And the results have been very positive, both in the lineup and on the pitching staff. With eight rookies on the active roster, the Dodgers owe a major portion of their second-place position in the NL West, only one game behind San Diego, to their bumper crop of youngsters.

Here are breakdowns of the eight L.A. rookies who have contributed in 2006:

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