Numbers in parenthesis are the player's rank in my
preseason Top 50.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location:
Chattanooga
- Lee is having a fantastic season as a 21-year-old in
Double-A -- something for which he doesn’t get enough recognition. Lee is second
on the Lookouts in innings pitched (98 2/3) and ERA (3.01) and has improved his
strikeouts per nine innings rate to what would be a career-high if the season
ended today (8.2). His secondary offerings have helped to improve that rate.
Director of Player Development DeJon Watson said Lee’s slider has been the most
improved and his curveball is tighter. For the rest of the season, I’d like to
see him build more stamina and go later into games, as he’s averaging just 5.4
innings per start.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location:
Great Lakes
- Seager has established himself as the team’s best hitting
prospect and the best prospect in many others’ eyes. Despite fighting through a
hamstring injury, he’s still hitting a .300/.382/.490 with eight home runs, 43 RBI and an .872 OPS -- all while playing a respectable shortstop. Watson said
“He’s a shortstop, he’s staying at shortstop, he’s playing it well and he’s
really just stabilizing the infield defense whenever he gets in the lineup.”
So, I guess he’s a shortstop. I’m still not 100 percent sold, but if he can
remain at short, his value increases exponentially.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location:
Chattanooga
- Pederson got off to a blazing start this season and, as
one of the youngest hitters in the Southern League, is having a fantastic
season. He represented the Dodgers at the Futures Game (1-for-1, walk, run scored) and was one of eight
Lookouts named to the Southern League All-Star team. His .296/.386/.516 triple slash is
impressive. His 14 home runs and 19 doubles are impressive. But most impressive
is his 26-for-29 stolen base rate. He’s improved every aspect of his game,
improving his power, his baserunning and his defense. He’s OPSing .10 points
fewer than this season than he did in the California League last year. Pederson
is now considered by most a legitimate starting outfield prospect thanks to his
average-to-solid-average tools across the board.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location:
Chattanooga
- Stripling began the season with the Quakes, and I actually
got to see him in person. He had one of his worst starts of the season that
night, but he was promoted to the Lookouts one start after I saw him in early
May. He’s been awfully impressive at Double-A and the 23-year-old has
established himself as a legitimate prospect. Stripling’s velocity has remained
consistent and in the 90-94 MPH range. His curveball is as good as always and
his changeup has improved since last season. He’s also added a legit fourth
pitch in his slider. He should finish out the season at Double-A and have a
shot at a Major League roster spot when the Dodgers break camp in 2014.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes
- Urias surprisingly made his full-season debut at the ripe
old age of 16, and he’s been nothing but fantastic. In his first 33 1/3
innings, he has a 2.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 3.5 BB/9 and a 10.5 K/9. He’s nothing short of amazing. He’s also
bigger than the 5’11, 160 at which he’s listed. He’s closer to 6’1, 180 pounds.
He owns an 88-92 MPH that has touched 93-95 MPH in every single start. He gets a little natural
arm-side run. His changeup is his best secondary offering, grading as plus in
the future. He also has a curveball that he throws on two different planes. One
looks like a traditional 11-5 curve, one looks like a sharper, tighter curve
that resembles a slider. Urias is a great prospect and should rank higher on
this list as he matures.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes
- Anderson was the Dodgers’ first-round pick in 2013 and
made quite a statement in his debut. The University of Jacksonville product has
a low-90s fastball that he can sink. He can also run it up to 97-98 MPH on
occasion, as he’s already done in his first action in professional baseball. He
has a slider that sits in the low-to-mid-80s that could be a swing-and-miss
pitch and an average changeup. He also has a “show me” curveball that he might
need if he’s to remain a starter -- and there’s no reason to believe otherwise.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga
- Reed has always been a “favorite” of mine and, despite a
slow start, posted some solid numbers in the first half. I still see Reed ending up in the bullpen, but it’s nice to see his
stamina improving. He isn’t striking out as many batters as in years past, but
he’s compensating for it by getting more ground ball outs. His 89-92 MPH
fastball is his main weapon. He also has a low-t-mid-80s slider that used to
get more swings and misses. His changeup is fringy, which is why I think he’ll
eventually end up as a reliever.
Started: Triple-A
Albuquerque
Current location: Albuquerque
- The first prospect to fall from his preseason rank, Magill
had an up-and-down season so far. He made him MLB debut, which was great. Other
than that, he had a rough go at it in the majors. He’s handled the extreme
hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League well enough. His
fastball is an 88-92 MPH offering that touches 94 at times. His velocity hasn’t
been the issue. His command has been bad this season, causing him to walk more
hitters (28) than he’s struck out (26) in the majors. His slider is still his
out pitch and sits in the low-80s. He also has a changeup that he should
probably throw a little more and feel for a curveball.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location: Triple-A Albuquerque
- Rasmussen joined the Dodgers when they sent
John Ely to
the Astros during the winter. He began the season with the Lookouts before
being promoted to Albuquerque last month. He has an 88-92 MPH fastball, a
curveball, slider and changeup. His frame is such that it isn’t conducive to
starting long-term, but he’s been great in the minors this season. He has an
outside shot of contributing this season, but more likely next season. At worst, he's a middle reliever in the majors.
Started: Triple-A
Albuquerque
Current location: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Withrow was converted to the bullpen late last season and
that’s where he’ll remain. His mid-90s fastball that touches 98 MPH is his best
weapon. He also has a swing-and-miss slider and he recently rediscovered his
curveball, which could make him even more dangerous. He could be a fixture in
the ‘pen going forward.
Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga
- Garcia had a rough go early on, landing on the disabled
list. He’s pitched primarily out of the bullpen, which is somewhat
disappointing. The 23-year-old Cuban fireballer is posting an impressive 9.5
K/9, but he’s also walking 6.2 per nine innings, which hurts him as a starter
in the long run. He still has a nasty low-90s fastball and upper-70s curveball.
He also has a fringy changeup that he’ll need to develop if he wants to be a
starter.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Dominguez had to serve a 25-game suspension to begin the
season, but he’s been nails ever since. He earned a promotion from Double-A to
Triple-A before the Dodgers recalled him to make his debut this season. He’s averaging
98.4 MPH on his fastball in the majors. He routinely touches triple digits with
it and it’s by far the best fastball in the system. He also has a
nasty-at-times slider and a surprisingly effective changeup. He has late-inning
reliever stuff, it just remains to be seen if he can put it all together
consistently.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga
- The big right-hander has gone from system depth at
starting pitcher to legitimate pitching prospect. He isn’t going to make a
living by striking hitters out, but von Schamann possesses good control, a feel
for pitching and an 88-91 MPH sinker that allows him to get plenty of grounds. He
also has a feel for a slider and a changeup. He should remain at Chattanooga
the rest of the season and possibly next season.
Started: Double-A
Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga
- Garcia has established
himself as the Lookouts’ closer and a potential bullpen option for the Dodgers
in 2014. Garcia has a low-90s fastball and a slider that’s helped him
accumulate an 11.6 K/9 this season. The 22-year-old has an impressive 6.5 K/BB
rate, which should help him have a Major League career. He’s given up eight
home runs this season after allowing five in his first four minor-league
seasons, so that’s something to keep an eye on going forward.
Started: Triple-A
Albuquerque
Current location: Albuquerque
- Castellanos has turned it on of late, but he’s probably
nothing more than a fifth outfielder at this point (fourth at best). He has a
quick bat, but no defined position. It finally seems the Dodgers have given up
on him as an infielder, which is probably for the best. He probably won’t get a
chance to show what he can do in the majors with the Dodgers, so a trade is
probably his best bet for an MLB future.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Pioneer League Ogden
- Valentin began his season at Great Lakes, which was
aggressive. Since then, he’s been demoted to Ogden, which isn’t an indictment
of his abilities. With Seager manning shortstop in Midland, it makes the most
sense for Valentin to play every day in the Pioneer League. Valentin has struggled
a bit this season, but he’s still showing good on-base ability. He’s also one
of the best defensive players in the Dodgers’ system.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga
- The third Garcia to check in, Jonathan began the season
repeating the California League. He hit so well he was promoted to Double-A.
With
Blake Smith switching to the bullpen and
Yasiel Puig being promoted to the
majors, the Lookouts needed another outfielder. He’s only played 14 games, so it’s
too early to tell how he’s truly handling advanced pitching. His play has catapulted
him back into the prospect discussion. He has good raw power and a cannon for
an arm in right field.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga
- Schebler has been the biggest breakout of prospect in the
system so far. Yes, he’s playing in the Cal League, but he’s also showing every
facet of his game. He’s a solid defender in the corners, he’s hitting for power
and showing some speed. He’s posting reverse platoon splits and doesn’t have
that big a split when it comes to home and away games. He’s a guy to watch the
rest of the season. The 22-year-old will need to prove his numbers just aren’t
a product of his environment.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga
- Sweeney hit for the cycle in a game during the first half,
but he hasn’t been able to get over the “mediocre” hump so far. While he has
the ability to play shortstop, he has committed 29 errors this season. He has a
decent even arm and good range, so he could stick at short for awhile. He’s
also hit better from the right side than the left. He might consider giving up
switch-hitting if he doesn’t improve from the left side. His walk rate has fallen
and his strike rate risen, which isn’t a good combination. Still, he’s a decent
prospect who could improve in the second half.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes
- Overshadowed by Urias, the 19-year-old Sulbaran has posted
solid numbers in his first full season at Great Lakes. He’s not the strikeout
pitcher Urias is, but he records his fair share of outs. He’s 5’10, 185 pounds,
so it remains to be seen if he can stick in the rotation. If not, he should be
able to carve out a career as a left-handed reliever with an 88-91 MPH
fastball, a low-70s curveball, a potentially plus changeup and a “show me”
slider.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga
- Cotton, my choice for sleeper prospect back in January,
had a nice showing with the Loons before being promoted to Double-A. Since
being promoted, Cotton has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. His fastball
is an 88-90 MPH that touches 92 MPH, a potentially plus changeup and a fringy
slider. While his future likely lies in the ‘pen, the Dodgers shouldn’t give up
on him as a starter just yet.
Started: Pioneer
League Ogden
Current location: Ogden
- It’s a small sample size, but Santana is off to a much
better start to the 2013 season compared to the numbers he posted in 2012. His
.907 OPS comes with the caveat that he’s playing in an extreme hitter’s haven,
but he also has ability as a former second-round draft pick. Santana has big
power potential, but also a lot of swing-and-miss. Still, he’s just 19 and in
his third minor-league season. He should continue to improve even more.
Started: Low-A Great
Lakes
Current location: Pioneer League Ogden
- Bird was a steal in the 2012 draft and was given an
aggressive assignment in Low-A. However, Bird didn’t handle it too well,
posting an ugly 7.7 BB/9. He was demoted to Ogden and hasn’t fared much better.
He’s only 18, so there’s still plenty of time for him to figure things out. He
still projects as starter going forward.
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga
- Cuevas was a surprise draft signee in 2011 and took a
little while to break through, but he’s done so this season. While Cuevas doesn’t
have a lot of power potential, he does everything else well. He has enough
range to stick in center field and enough arm for the position. When I saw him
in person in May, he was tracking down all sorts of fly balls as the Quakes’
center fielder. He also has plus speed, swiping 22 bases so far. The
21-year-old should see Chattanooga in
2014.
25. O’Koyea Dickson, 1B (20, -5)
Started: High-A Rancho
Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga
- Dickson hasn’t hit for as much power as expected (10 home runs), but
he’s been nothing if not consistent for the Quakes this season. He does have 25
doubles, which is nice. While his strikeout rate has decreased from last
season, so has his walk rate. As a guy who’s going to make the majors based
solely on his bat, he needs to get that walk rate back to 10 percent while also
increasing his slugging. He’s limited to first base defensively despite logging
five games at third base and one in left field this season.
The next five (in alphabetical order):
Cody Bellinger,
Justin Chigbogu,
Victor Gonzalez,
Garrett Gould,
Jarret Martin
Graduated: Yasiel Puig (2),
Hyun-Jin Ryu (4),
Paco Rodriguez (10),
Tim Federowicz (26),
Scott Van Slyke (44)
Dropped out of Top 25:
Garrett Gould (9), Blake Smith (15),
Andres Santiago (18),
Jesus Valdez (24)
Moved into Top 25: Anderson (NR to 6), von Schamann (31 to 13), J. Garcia (48 to 17), Schebler (37 to 18), Sulbaran (30 to 20), Cotton (43 to 21), Santana (28 to 22), Cuevas (NR to 24)
Traded:
Steve Ames (16),
Angel Sanchez (36),
Josh Wall (NR)
Biggest riser: J. Garcia (48 to 17)
Biggest faller: Smith (15 to 50)
This year's draft wasn't particularly strong, which is why only one player from the class made the midseason Top 25. The team traded three prospects, but none of them projected as more than relievers at the next level. This system is top-heavy and should get a boost from the international signings of the last two years.
Photo credits
Urias (courtesy): Nick Anderson, Great Lakes Loons
Anderson (courtesy): Ali Messick, Great Lakes Loons
All others: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue
