My 2015 Top 100 Dodgers prospects

Oh, hi there. It's been awhile. I just concluded my Top 100 Dodgers' prospect series over at Dodgers Digest. Here's a link to every entry in the series.

• Introduction
• 100-76
• 75-51
• 50-41
• 40-31
• 30-21
• 20-11
• Top 10

I have also updated the sidebar with the new Top 10 (it links to the post at Dodgers Digest until we get the prospects page updated).

The Dodgers' farm system is as strong as it has been in years. It's considered a Top 10 system by most publications, as it has a lot of top-end talent and improved depth. So, head over to Dodgers Digest to check it out (and the supplemental pieces to follow).

Also, it'd be swell if the Dodgers signed Yoan Moncada so I could add him to the list.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Dodgers Digest

A look at the trade market, and if the Dodgers should go all-in

In my last post, I discussed how I saw the Dodgers' chances going forward (hint: it's good). They have an excellent chance of getting to the playoffs. There are a few holes of course. Which team doesn't have a few holes?

But the Dodgers' main concern at this point is really the postseason. Over the course of the regular season, total talent on the roster is a good predictor of success. But as the A's have learned -- the hard way the last 15 years -- it doesn't mater if you win 90 games (or even 105 games) in the regular season, you need other things to get to the World Series. Those things are:

1. Having your guys healthy and rested at the end of the year 
2. Luck, grit, clutch, whatever you want to call it
3. Top-end talent. The competition's all good in the postseason

What are the Dodgers' holes when thinking about the regular season? Bullpen depth, a defensive center fielder, backup catcher and maybe a backup infielder. I actually feel pretty good about backup infield situation with Alex Guerrero, Justin Turner, Chone Figgins and Erisbel Arruebarrena. Zero of those four are healthy and ready right now, but all four should be ready in a week or two.

The other three spots have been a horrible mess and ought to be addressed via trades. And a new hot spot seems to be bubbling to the top of the list -- rotation depth.

With Dan Haren continuing to struggle at times and Josh Beckett's health in constant question, the Dodgers may need a middle-of-the-rotation starter if they don't decide to go for an ace (more on that later).

There are potentially adequate solutions in the organization to solve the defensive center fielder and bullpen depth issues. Upgrading the backup catcher would yield fairly marginal benefits. I expect some kind of moves -- especially in center field, where the Dodgers' management seems to absolutely have reached their limits in watching the current crew go out there and try to run balls down.

On the starting pitching front, they could probably swing an Andre Ethier/Carl Crawford + B prospect + cash for Bartolo Colon or Jake Peavy, or players of that caliber. But what if they decided instead to go big and trade Julio Urias and several other (hopefully not named Corey Seager) shiny things for David Price, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels or Jon Lester? Urias probably has a 10 percent chance -- five years from now -- turning into that kind of guy, and a 90 percent chance of turning into someone lesser than Eric Stults. The Dodgers are geared for this year and next. They probably don't need a third legitimate ace to get to the playoffs, but it would make them really scary once they get there.

Aces don't assure postseason success, historically. But, playoff teams have not had trip aces. When you look at teams with one very good pitcher, that very good pitcher may or may not in fact pitch great in his two or three games. And then there's the rest of the games. I already liked the Dodgers playoff chances this year purely because of what Clayton Kershaw is doing this year. There's apparently a level above ace. Who knew?  

If you look at the playoff odds today at FanGraphs, the Dodgers have a 90 percent and rising chance of making the playoffs but "only" a 12% chance of winning the World Series. I'm not sure how they think about the odds of advancing through the playoffs, but according to Jeff Sullivan anyway, acquiring Price would bump that to 17%.  I imagine the numbers would be similar for the other aces potentially in play.  That's actually kind of compelling.  Send out Kershaw / Zack Greinke / New Ace / Ryu as your playoff rotation and bullpen depth doesn't matter much. We won't be calling on Chris Perez in the 6th inning in any of those games.

Even if the cost also included Joc Pederson, the Dodgers' putative solution to center field, I don't see what alternate strategy would take the their championship odds up over 17 percent. The marginal upgrade of getting him in center field and sending out one of the extra outfielders somehow, plus counting on Beckett, and reinforcing the bullpen -- I don't think that does it this year or next.

And as we've seen all over the league (and even with the Dodgers), it's pretty easy for even Hall of Fame-trajectory guys to fall off a sudden cliff, so we can't count on the current core for much longer than that. It's been 26 years since the last championship. I was a teenager then, and I'm old enough to have my own teenagers now.

So, while it took me awhile to warm up to the idea, I'm starting to like it. Seager's a guy I (and Greinke, for what it's worth) believe in, though. If he's part of the deal, too, I start to turn a little sour. And of course, 17 percent chance of winning is still 83 percent chance of wait 'til next year. The regret could be massive.

Although several of those guys are signed for next year, so that changes things somewhat. Let's say acquiring a 2014-15 ace gives the Dodgers a 17 percent chance this year and a 17 percent chance next year. That's a 28 percent chance of one championship and a 3 percent chance of back-to-back.

We know what watching Pedro Martinez & Paul Konerko do what they did entirely for someone else feels like. Even watching guys that came up and we got their first few good years, like Mike Piazza and Adrian Beltre -- we know that feeling too. On the other hand, I also know what going to AT&T Park last year and seeing the hated Giants World Series trophies (plural!) felt like. And that felt a lot worse.

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 85 - Kershaw, Puig, Hanley, prospects

On these episodes of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodgers Nation) and I talk about Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter and the suddenly relevant (again) Dodgers.

Kershaw threw the first no-hitter of his career, and Jared tried his best to keep it in his pants. Spoiler alert: he didn't.

Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez are battling injuries, and one or both of them might need to be placed on the disabled list.

Corey Seager and Julio Urias were named to the Futures Game, while Joc Pederson is hurt.

Grant Holmes signed his deal, and we talk about other prospect news.

Per usual, we close with the Q&A. Some good ones this week, including one where I'm called out for being, for lack of a better term, "lazy."

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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (dugoutbluepodcast@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@JaredJMassey or @DustinNosler). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 83 - Dodgers, MLB Draft review, prospects

On these episodes of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodgers Nation) and I are joined by Chris Rodriguez of Baseball Prospectus to recap the 2014 MLB Draft and some Dodgers' prospects.

Chris Anderson has been generally disappointing, and the Dodgers might be changing his mechanics. Julio Urias is still great, as is Corey Seager. Tom Windle still might be a reliever, but he's been solid this season.

We get into the Dodgers' draft, which was underwhelming after nailing their first two picks in Grant Holmes and Alex Verdugo. They took just eight high schoolers -- the fewest number of prep players of any year in Logan White's tenure. There are a few guys who might be something, but on the whole, we were expecting more.

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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (dugoutbluepodcast@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@JaredJMassey or @DustinNosler). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Lessons and questions from 2014 Dodgers' spring training

The Cactus League portion of the Dodgers' year is officially over. There are a lot of questions on this team. So what did we learn?

 Pitchers 

• Ross Stripling - out for the year; Tommy John surgery 
• Javy Guerra - 8 IP / 4BB / 5 K = designated for assignment
• Brandon League - 16 batters faced, 1 K, only 6 outs, 16 ERA = a real problem. 
• Josh Beckett - The rib removal seems to have helped. He's on the mound and looking "meh." Hopefully with some more time, he can be a contributor again 
• Seth Rosin - 11 IP / 2BB / 12 K = vindication of the curious Rule 5 pick, so how do we keep him around? 
• Jose Dominguez - 8IP / 2 BB / 9K / 3H = want 
• Kenley Jansen - 7IP / 1BB/ 7K/ 2H = ready 
• Julio Urias - got in a game on the major league side and more than held his own at age 17. 
• Dan Haren - not looking great, but OK 
• Hyun-Jin Ryu - the one starter looking good 
• Paul Maholm - not a good spring, but should come around to be mediocre 
• Clayton Kershaw / Zack Greinke - not looking that sharp but expect them to turn it on 
• J.P. Howell / Chris Perez - OK 
• Chris Withrow - not OK. back to the minors with you 
• Zach Lee - not ready yet 
• Jamey Wright - if he was a non-roster invitee like usual, he'd not be on the team right now. 
• Paco Rodriguez - supposedly discovered flaw in his mechanics that was his downfall last year. Some control issues but an OK spring all in all. 
• Red Patterson - Got a long enough look after a decent AAA season that I think they're looking at him for any emergency starts that need to be made this year. 
• Matt Magill - did not look horrible. Control was under control. 
• Stephen Fife - forgotten man, barely got in a game 
• Brian Wilson - he has a decent knuckler! 
• Chad Billingsley - we should be seeing him sooner rather than later 

Hitters

• Justin Turner - Hit well, fielded OK all around the infield, made the team 
• Miguel Rojas - confounded expectations by hitting well and fielding poorly. Not going to be needed. 
• Chone Figgins - still has a good eye. No evidence of being able to drive the ball. Fast, but not super-fast. Questionable how much he'll add right now, but the Dodgers want to give him a chance based on his approach. So much so, they cut Javy Guerra. 
• Dee Gordon - made a lot of nice plays at 2B. 13 pounds of muscle -> four triples. Still fast. Getting smarter about his game, and working harder. Probably the opening day starter. 
• Alex Guerrero - hit well, made the routine plays but they seem to want to start him in the minors anyway. 
• Yasiel Puig - Starting to conjure up Andruw Jones, never a good thing. A wasted spring. He better get it together soon and adapt to the way pitchers are approaching him. 
• Carl Crawford - looked terrible. Don't want to speculate, but just have to trust him to be there when the bell rings. 
• Andre Ethier - Showed up prepared, looked good, great attitude. Ready to play all 3 OF spots. 
• Matt Kemp - progressing on schedule. Beast mode cometh.
• Joc Pederson - flashed some potential and could be ready around mid-season. 
• Mike Baxter - for some reason, he will get AB this year. 
• Miguel Olivo - buh bye. 
• A.J. Ellis - terrible spring as a hitter. Good D though. 
• Tim Federowicz - even worse spring as a hitter than A.J. 
• Hanley Ramirez - does not look like last year's world-beater but more like the 2011/2012 Hanley. Maybe he's not getting last year's daily doses of lengthy shoulder treatment since it's just Spring. 
• Adrian Gonzalez / Scott Van Slyke / Juan Uribe - just what you'd expect. 
• Brendan Harris - also just what you'd expect, and not making this team. 
• Erisbel Arruebarrena - he made it to America, but not into a game. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the majors this year at some point anyway. Declared a willingness to play wherever he's needed.

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 68 - Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," I interview Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus about the BP Top 101 and his Top 10 Dodgers' prospects.

Parks is BP's prospect guru, and was kind enough to give me 30 minutes of his time to indulge me about prospects.

First, we talk about Julio Urias' placement in the BP 101 (35). Then we touch on the others who made the BP 101 (Corey Seager, 44; Joc Pederson, 50; and Zach Lee, 84).

After, we go in-depth into the Dodgers' Top 10. I ask him some detailed questions and throw in my 2 cents, for whatever that's worth (probably less than 2 cents).

I close by asking him about the system overall, which continues to improve.

Baseball Prospectus' prospect coverage is unparalleled. Parks has done a fantastic job taking over for Kevin Goldstein and has put together some really good talent evaluators who can write a little bit.
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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (ladugout@gmail.com or feelinkindablue@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@Dodger_Diamond or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Winter Meetings Day 1 - Dodgers after Wright, Price rumors heating up, Kemp rumors abound, Numata official?

Jamey Wright? That's your ace in the hole, Ned?

Just kidding. Actually, Wright would be a pretty solid signing. The Dodgers need a long reliever (doesn't require him to be long in the tooth, though), and Wright would fill that role.

Ken Rosenthal tweeted Wright is deciding between his former team, the Rays, and his former-former team, the Dodgers. Honestly, he can't really make a bad choice. Both teams are in need of a long reliever and he had success at both stops.

In 2012 with the Dodgers, Wright put up some surprisingly good numbers.

67 2/3 IP
3.72 ERA
3.39 FIP
7.2 K/9
61.2 GB%
6.4 HR/FB

Wright wasn't retained and spent 2013 with the Rays. He, once again, posted some surprisingly good numbers.

70 IP
3.09 ERA
3.13 FIP
8.4 K/9
50.8 GB%
7.1 HR/FB

Something to note is the reduced ground ball percentage. The nearly 11 percent decline didn't result in an outrageous rise in his home run per fly ball rate, which was likely because he struck out more than a batter per nine innings more in 2013 than he did in 2012.

He'll be 39 later this month, so there's no guarantee the success will continue. But on a 1-year deal, Wright would be well worth a look.

Wright has made a Major League rosters in each of the last eight seasons as a non-roster invitee. This year, it seems he won't have to be an NRI, as NRIs don't usually get inked in December -- especially those who have been really solid the last couple of years.

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With the uncertainty surrounding Masahiro Tanaka (seriously, no one really knows what's going on), the David Price market is set to heat up.

The Dodgers, Mariners and Rangers are the teams in on Price at the moment, and the Rays figure to get quite the haul in return.

I still balk at Corey Seager and Julio Urias. I'm now starting to balk at Seager or Urias. I'm not even keen on including Joc Pederson, but the Rays are going to want at least one of the Dodgers' three best prospects in return for Price. Dee Gordon's name was even mentioned, for some reason.

I'd still rather the Tanaka situation be resolved and the Dodgers just throw gobs of money at him, but I've said it before: The Dodgers will end the offseason with either Tanaka or Price.

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Matt Kemp rumors are still out there, despite his medicals not being the best. The Mariners, Orioles, Rangers and Red Sox are the teams on him (and Andre Ethier).

In fact, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune tweeted this tonight.

Yep. No specifics on return. But M's can eat more money than most clubs. @topherJmitchell: are you hearing any Kemp to Seattle buzz?
— Bob Dutton (@TNT_Mariners) December 10, 2013

I'm not sure if that means a whole lot at this point, but Kemp's name isn't going away in rumors. I wrote about what a deal to Seattle might look like at Yahoo Sports today. I'm still really against moving him.

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Remember Takumi Numata? Of course you don't, as I got a lot of questions on Twitter when I was retweeting him today.

He's the 19-year-old Japanese pitcher the Dodgers signed. Numata is the player who got himself a lifetime ban from the Japanese Amateur Baseball Association because he agreed to sign with the Dodgers. He circumvented the rules, which obviously didn't make Japanese officials too happy.

Well, Numata was apparently at Dodger Stadium today for his physical, a stadium tour and to likely make his minor-league deal official.

If I had to guess, he'll begin the season at either Ogden or Great Lakes -- depending how aggressive the Dodgers want to be with him.

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At press time, that's about it. Day 2 of the meetings could be a lot more eventful. The Dodgers are going to have start making moves sometimes, right?

Photo credit: Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons

Dodgers' Winter Meetings shopping list: Starting pitcher - Tanaka (or bust), Price, Garza

In the second of a four-part series, I look at who and what the Dodgers should be looking for when Monday's Winter Meetings come 'round.

I looked at third base on Friday, and they certainly won't need a shortstop if the rumors of a Hanley Ramirez contract extension are true (pretty sure they are).

• Third base
• Starting pitcher
• Bench pieces
• Left-handed RP and/or power right-handed RP

Masahiro Tanaka

There's really only one starting pitcher the Dodgers should be in on -- Tanaka. With the new posting system between Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball seemingly close, it may not be up to the Dodgers whether they want to go after Tanaka.

His parent club Rakuten Golden Eagles are said to be hesitant to post him because they'd only get $20 million in a posting fee.

All the money in the world couldn't change this fact. Under the new rules, MLB teams can post a maximum of $20 million for players posted by NPB clubs. If Tanaka isn't posted, he won't be a free agent until after the 2015 season. The Golden Eagles could choose to post him next winter if they want, but they also risk a year of taxing Japanese league pitching on the 25-year-old's arm. It's a gamble, but a gamble that might be worth it because he's the best pitcher in Japan.

I've written extensively about Tanaka here and at Yahoo Sports, so my thoughts should be well-known. I want the Dodgers to get this guy. I believe he's their No. 1 offseason target and would slot in quite nicely as the No. 4 starter (for now).

If he is posted, the Dodgers -- and probably 10-15 other teams (at least) -- will post $20 million to negotiate with him. In the end, the Dodgers should be able to beat out the likes of the Yankees, Cubs and Rangers. I predict a 6-year, $108 million deal.

David Price

Price might be the second-best left-handed pitcher in the game (behind that Clayton Kershaw fella). So, why am I hesitant for the Dodgers to go after him?

I wrote about it at Yahoo in October. Basically, the Dodgers would likely have to give up one of Corey Seager or Julio Urias, plus a combination of Joc Pederson, Zach Lee, Chris Reed and Chris Withrow. It just doesn't seem to make that much sense

Price is a luxury at this point, as is Tanaka. The difference is, Price would cost prospects, and the Dodgers seem hellbent on preserving the system (which is great).

The former Cy Young award winner will get traded this winter, it's just a matter of where he lands. After Robinson Cano signed his mega contract with the Mariners, I'd put my money on them. If they offer Taijuan Walker in a package for Price, there's almost no way the Dodgers could beat that.

Matt Garza

If the Dodgers must go the "real" free agent route, I guess Garza would be the best option. He struggled after being dealt from the Cubs to the Rangers, but he's a quality pitcher. He won't be worth whatever contract he gets, but he'll be a solid No. 3-4 starter for the next four-plus years.

The Garza market should heat up after Price is traded and it's determined whether Tanaka is posted. Then, he could be the most attractive free agent starter because there's no draft pick compensation tied to him like there is with Ervin Santna and Ubaldo Jimenez.

I wrote about starting pitcher options last month as well. They're not pretty.

Photo credit:WKnight94, Wikimedia Commons

Analyzing Baseball America's Dodgers' Top 10 prospects list for 2014

Baseball America is in full prospect-ranking season, and the Dodgers' Top 10 list officially drops online Monday.

However, the print publication (yes, print media still exist) came out on Tuesday to give us an early look at the list.

Big thanks to silverwidow99 for making the list public.

1. OF Joc Pederson

2. SS Corey Seager

3. LHP Julio Urias

4. RHP Zach Lee

5. RHP Chris Anderson

6. RHP Chris Withrow

7. 2B Alexander Guerrero

8. LHP Chris Reed

9. LHP Onelki Garcia

10. RHP Ross Stripling

I had originally planned to write a quick piece predicting the list, but I waited to long.

After a strong 2013 and winter ball season, Pederson lands at No. 1 -- and I like it. He's now established as a Top 50 prospect, and probably closer to Top 30.

Seager has the most potential of anyone on this list, especially if he's able to stick at shortstop (which he probably won't).

Yes, even more potential than Urias, but that's no knock on the 17-year-old. He was great in his professional debut.

Baseball America doesn't factor in service time into its prospect status, hence the inclusion of Withrow.

No. 8-10 are pretty interchangeable, although, I think Stripling deserves to be a bit higher.

The only ranking I question is Guerrero at No. 7. I get it, BA isn't particularly high on Guerrero. But one would think a potentially plus bat at a traditionally glove-first position has to be a Top 5 ranking in this system. Remember, they ranked Hyun-Jin Ryu at No. 1 heading into 2013, so they aren't averse to ranking older, international prospects high on their lists.

The ranking says a little about Guerrero and more about BA's intel, which is usually pretty good. I have a better feeling about Guerrero's future and am inclined to trust the Dodgers' scouting department (and yes, my opinion is obviously biased). After all, they've hit on their last three big international signings -- Hiroki Kuroda, Yasiel Puig and Ryu.

The Dodgers' system is pretty top-heavy, as evidenced by this list. I'm shooting for sometime in the next six weeks to unveil my Top 50 Dodger prospects. Admittedly, I'm waiting to see how the Masahiro Tanaka situation plays out. If he gets posted and the Dodgers sign him, he's the clear No. 1 prospect in the system.

We'll see what happens.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

My Top 5 Dodgers' prospects at minor-league every level

In preparation for prospect season, I'm going to rank the Top 5 prospects at every level of the Dodgers' minor-league system.

It won't necessarily reflect a prospect's position on my Top 50 list (as I've yet to complete it), but it should give some sort of idea where I rank these players.

To be eligible, I'm using Baseball America's rules. For hitters, they must average at least one plate appearance per team game. For starting pitchers, they must average at least 1/3 of an inning per team game (no applicable to short-season teams). For relievers, they must have made 20 appearances (10 appearances for short-season leagues).

Here are my top 5 Dodgers' prospects at each level. Player's age-season in parenthesis.

Dominican Summer League Dodgers

1. OF Michael Medina (16)

2. OF Deivy Castillo (17)

3. LHP Jairo Pacheco (16)

4. OF Ariel Sandoval (17)

5. RHP Osiris Ramirez (17)

Arizona League Dodgers

1. 1B Cody Bellinger (17)

2. LHP Victor Gonzalez (17)

3. RHP Victor Arano (18)

4. RHP Bryan Munoz (17)

5. SS Cristian Gomez (17)

Ogden Raptors

1. OF Jacob Scavuzzo (19)

2. 3B/OF Alex Santana (19)

3. 2B/SS Jesmuel Valentin (18)

4. 1B Justin Chigbogu (18)

5. RHP Scott Barlow (20)

Great Lakes Loons

1. SS Corey Seager (19)

2. LHP Julio Urias (16)

3. RHP Chris Anderson (20)

4. LHP Tom Windle (22)

5. RHP Zachary Bird (18)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

1. OF Scott Schebler (22)

2. RHP Duke von Schamann (22)

3. OF Noel Cuevas (21)

4. 1B O'Koyea Dickson (23)

5. SS/2B Darnell Sweeney (22)

Chattanooga Lookouts

1. OF Yasiel Puig (22)

2. RHP Zach Lee (21)

3. OF Joc Pederson (21)

4. RHP Ross Stripling (23)

5. LHP Chris Reed (23)

Albuquerque Isotopes

1. RHP Matt Magill (23)

2. OF/1B Scott Van Slyke (26)

3. RHP Red Patterson (26)

4. LHP Kelvin De La Cruz (24)

5. No one else qualified

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Hope this gives some insight to how I rank the Dodger prospects. I'd like to hear how you'd rank some of these prospects in the comments section.

I'm shooting for December or January for my Top 50 prospects list. Follow me on Twitter for updates on its status.

Photo credit: Ali Messick, courtesy of the Great Lakes Loons

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 59 - NLDS review, NLCS preview, Price

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) and rejoice in the Dodgers' NLDS victory over the Atlanta Braves. We give a thorough review of the series.

Then, we talk about the Dodgers' next opponent in the NLCS -- the St. Louis Cardinals. It's going to be a long, good series between the two best teams in the National League.

Andre Ethier could be fully back for this series, which gives the Dodgers' lineup more depth. Hanley Ramirez continues to mash and Juan Uribe is just the best.

David Price rumors are already floating, and many have the Dodgers linked to the former Cy Young award winner. While it's too soon to look toward the offseason, a Clayton Kershaw-Zack Greinke-Price trio wouldn't be half-bad, no? But I wouldn't give up both Corey Seager and Julio Urias to get him, though.

The Arizona Fall League started on Tuesday, and Seager had a solid debut. There isn't a lot of high-end talent there from the Dodgers, but Seager is the guy to keep an eye on.

Episode dedications
Jared: Kelly Wunsch
Dustin: Ismael Valdez (honorable mention to Guillermo Mota)

Then, we close with Q&A, which were, unfortunately, lacking. Step it up next episode, folks.

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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (ladugout@gmail.com or feelinkindablue@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@Dodger_Diamond or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Seager, Urias on Baseball America's Top 20 Midwest League prospects list

While I thought this list was going to drop tomorrow, it dropped today, and the Dodgers landed two prospects on the Midwest League Top 20 prospects list from Baseball America.

Teenage phenoms Corey Seager checked in at No. 4 behind the likes of Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Robert Stephenson (all justified), while Julio Urias was ranked at No. 7 in the league.

Seager had a fantastic showing at Great Lakes by hitting .309/.389/.529 with 12 home runs, 18 doubles and a 10.9 percent walk rate. That’s coming from a 19-year-old in a great pitcher’s league.

Seager played shortstop for the Loons. Despite Dodger folk thinking he can stick at shortstop long-term, a move to third base is all but inevitable.

Urias’ debut was surprising, but he did nothing but impress the entire season. While on a strict innings limit, Urias was able to post a 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a ridiculous 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings rate.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about the lefty was his command and control, which stems from his poise and maturity on the mound. Pitching the majority of his debut season as a 16-year-old, he posted a 2.7 walks per nine innings rate. For comparison’s sake, Urias’ teammates -- first-rounder Chris Anderson and second-rounder Tom Windle -- posted a 4.7 BB/9 and 3.4 BB/9, respectively. Anderson is 20 and Windle is 22.

What Urias did was downright amazing. It’s hard to project what a now-17-year-old will do going forward, but if his debut season is any indication, the Dodgers might have the next great left-handed pitching prospect.

Speaking of Anderson, he had a really good debut by posting a 1.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 9.8 K/9 in his first 46 innings. I thought he warranted consideration for the Top 20, and he probably got it (someone will probably ask it in the chat later today).  And while Windle put up some solid numbers, he probably pitched a little over his head.

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The BA California League Top 20 will publish on Thursday. Unfortunately, Seager won’t qualify for that list because he didn’t average one plate appearance per team game in Rancho Cucamonga (114 plate appearances, 140 games). Ross Stripling is in the same boat as Seager because he didn’t appear often enough. The only Quake who I could conceivably see making the list is Scott Schebler. If he does, it’d likely be on the latter-third of the list.

Photo credits

Seager: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Urias: Nick Anderson, Courtesy of the Great Lakes Loons

My 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers all-prospect team

This is the second year I’ve done my All-Prospect team, and there are some familiar names on this team. There are also some surprises, some 2013 draftees and even a guy who isn’t a Dodger prospect anymore.

To be eligible for this list, a player must be prospect-eligible for the 2014 season. Otherwise, guys like Yasiel Puig, Paco Rodriguez and Chris Withrow would show up on this list.

Catcher: Kyle Farmer, 22, Rookie-Ogden

.347/.386/.533, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 19 2B, 3.8% BB rate

- Farmer was the Dodgers’ eighth-round draft pick in 2013 and played in the friendly confines of the Pioneer League. What lands Farmer on this team is the conversion he made. He was a shortstop at the University of Georgia and was converted to catcher by the Dodgers. By all accounts, he handled himself pretty well.

Second team: Tyler Ogle, 22, Low-A

First Base: Justin Chigbogu, 18, Rookie-Ogden/Arizona

.268/.335/.515, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 46 R, 9.5% BB rate

- Chigbogu got off to a fast start in the Arizona League by belting five home runs in his first 46 at-bats, earning a promotion to Ogden. His numbers were down a bit there, but he still showed the system’s best power potential. His first true test could come next season in Midland. Dickson was a close second in this race.

Second team: O’Koyea Dickson, 23, High-A

Second base: Darnell Sweeney, 22, High-A

.275/.329/.455, 11 HR, 77 RBI, 16 3B, 7.0% BB rate

- Sweeney started off the season well and as the Quakes’ shortstop and leadoff hitter. By season’s end, he was the team’s second baseman and No. 3 hitter. He hit for the cycle in May, but struggled more than I expected, especially playing in a favorable hitter’s league. Still, he finished with 34 doubles to go along with his homers and triples. He was also 48-for-68 (70.5 percent) in stolen bases. Sweeney’s future lies at second base, regardless of what my shortstop selection on this list does.

Second team: Jesmuel Valentin, 19, Rookie-Ogden/Arizona

Third base: Alex Santana, 19, Rookie-Ogden

.327/.391/.444, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 39 R, 8.7% BB rate

- My choice for breakout prospect, Santana fared quite well in his second go in Ogden. Perhaps most impressive in his short-season performance was the improved walk rate. He drew 20 walks in 230 plate appearances. He drew 15 in 210 PAs last season and 10 in 205 PAs in 2011. He should be assigned to Great Lakes next season. If he can continue to improve his plate discipline, the power will come.

Second team: Adam Law, 23, Rookie-Ogden/Arizona

Shortstop: Corey Seager, 19, High-A/Low-A

.269/.351/.473, 16 HR, 72 RBI, 20 2B, 10.8% BB rate

- Seager tore up the Midwest League after a slow start -- so much so that he earned a promotion to High-A and a trip to the Arizona Fall League. Seager showed his true potential and surprising power for such a young player in a pitcher’s league. He struggled in the California League, but that could be due to fatigue and acclimating himself to advanced competition.

Second team: Brandon Trinkwon, 21, Low-A/Rookie-Ogden

Left Field: Nick Buss, 26, Triple-A

.303/.363/.525/, 17 HR, 100 RBI, 21 SB, 7.9% BB rate

- Buss had a breakout season in the Pacific Coast League, so take that with a grain of salt. But he was the Isotopes’ most consistent and best hitter all season. He was a PCL All-Star (during the season and after the season) and earned a surprising September call-up. He’s an older prospect, so his ceiling is extremely limited (like, he might already be there), but he had a great 2013 season.

Second team: Jacob Scavuzzo, 19, Rookie-Ogden

Center Field: Joc Pederson, 21, Double-A

.278/.381/.497, 22 HR, 58 RBI, 31 SB, 13.5% BB rate

- The first and only Lookout to make the first team, Pederson had an excellent season in the Southern League. He started the season well, teaming with Yasiel Puig to form a nice 2-3 or 3-4 combination. But Pederson kept the production up even after Puig was recalled. He proved he could handle center field in more than a pinch and earned an invite to the Futures Game, where Ben Badler said he had the most impressive batting practice on the U.S. team. Pederson set a career-high in home runs, stolen bases and walks. That bodes well for him going forward. He tailed off a little toward the end of the season, but so did the entire Lookout offense.

Second team: Noel Cuevas, 21, High-A

Right field: Scott Schebler, 22, High-A

.296/.360/.581, 27 HR, 91 RBI, 29 2B, 6.5% BB rate

- My Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year, Schebler had a fantastic season for the Quakes. He led the Cal League in total bases, was second in home runs and was the only Dodger minor-leaguer to post 20-plus home runs, 20-plus doubles and 10-plus triples. He’ll face a good test in Double-A come next season. He’s a corner outfielder at this rate.

Second team: Joey Curletta, 19, Rookie-Ogden

Starting Pitcher 1: Zach Lee, 21, Double-A

10-10, 3.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.3 K/9

- My top Dodger prospect for the last two years, Lee had a career-year in the Southern League. He established career-bests in innings pitched, strikeouts, strikeout rate, and career-lows in ERA, WHIP and walk rate. For some reason, he still doesn’t get the acclaim from some that he should. He was facing advanced competition in his age-21 season and had his best year. While he’s not going to be a No. 1 or even No. 2, he could easily be a good No. 3 starter in the majors.

SP 6: Chris Anderson, 21, Low-A

Starting Pitcher 2: Julio Urias, 16, Low-A

2-0, 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 11.1 K/9

- What more can be said about this amazing teenager? His season was unprecedented and shockingly good. He has such an advanced feel for pitching that it’s hard to believe he’s just 17 years old. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with him going forward, but Urias looks like the real deal.

SP 7: Matt Magill, 23, Majors/Triple-A

Starting Pitcher 3: Ross Stripling, 23, Double-A/High-A

8-4, 2.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

- Stripling is similar to Lee in a lot of respects. They have similar repertories, similar builds and similar ceilings. Stripling dominated early on in High-A, earning a promotion to Double-A. He began in the rotation in Chattanooga, and pitched well. After a stint in the bullpen to limit his innings (and that didn’t go well), he was back in the rotation and finished the season strong. Along with Lee, he’s the closest starting pitching prospect to the majors (Matt Magill made his debut this season).

SP 8: Tom Windle, 22, Low-A

Starting Pitcher 4: Miguel Sulbaran, 19, Low-A

6-4, 3.01 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 2.6 BB/8, 8.3 K/9

- This one is kind of weird, as Sulbaran was foolishly traded early in August for a 30-year-old catcher who can’t hit. But before he was dealt, he team with Urias and a couple of 2013 draft picks to form quite the rotation in Midland. But, Sulbaran is now a Minnesota Twin and should continue to do good things for that organization.

SP 9: Carlos Frias, 23, Double-A/High-A/Low-A

Starting Pitcher 5: Chris Reed, 23, Double-A

4-11, 3.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 6.9 K/9

- Reed, my boy, actually had a decent season. He tailed off toward the end, but that’s not uncommon. He established a career-high in innings pitched, which was one of the biggest question marks surrounding him. Something to note is his decreased strikeout rate. It seems he pitched more to contact this season, leading to the reduced K-rate and increased ground ball rate. That could be a good thing for him going forward, especially if his slider isn’t getting the expected results.

SP 10: Lindsey Caughel, 23, High-A/Low-A

Relief Pitcher 1: Yimi Garica, 22, Double-A

19 SV, 2.54 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 12.7 K/9

- Garcia doesn’t get the notoriety of some other arms in the Dodger system, but he’s been really good in his brief career. He was the Lookouts’ closer and the only area in which he didn’t do well is home runs allowed. He gave up nine in 60 1/3 innings. That will need to improve going forward, but he’s going to end up in a Major League bullpen someday soon.

RP 6: Kelvin De La Cruz, 24, Triple-A/Double-A

Relief Pitcher 2: Onelki Garcia, 23, Majors/Double-A

1 SV, 2.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 5.5 BB/9, 9.1 K/9

- Garcia began the season in the Lookouts’ rotation before an injury derailed that. The Dodgers put him in the bullpen when he came back and that’s where he thrived. Control is still the biggest issue surrounding him, but he has electric stuff. He’s struggled in the majors thus far, though.

RP 7: Michael Thomas, 24, Double-A/High-A

Relief Pitcher 3: Scott Griggs, 22, Low-A

4 SV, 2.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 6.5 BB/9, 14.6 K/9

- Griggs was dominant at times this season, even capturing a Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honor, but his control plagued him at times. Still, Griggs has a great fastball/slider combination that will serve him well in now and in the future. He has true strikeout stuff that is needed in most late-inning relievers.

RP 8: Pedro Baez, 25, Double-A/High-A

Relief Pitcher 4: Red Patterson, 26, Triple-A

7-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 9.2 K/9

- Patterson was the Isotopes’ everything this season. When he was racking up innings out of the bullpen, he was making a dozen starts. Despite not having any plus pitches or a mid-90s fastball, he still averaged more than a strikeout per inning. He could see some time in a Major League bullpen, as he’s been underrated in the Dodger system seemingly his entire career.

RP 9: Craig Stem, 23, High-A/Low-A

Relief Pitcher 5: Jose Dominguez, 22, Majors/Triple-A/Low-A

5 SV, 1.78 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9, 14.2 K/9

- Dominguez began the season serving a 25-game suspension. When he came back, he was dominant in Chattanooga. He earned a promotion to Triple-A before the Dodgers recalled him. He injured his quad in July and hasn’t pitched in almost two months. Still, his 100 MPH fastball and knockout slider are a lethal combination for him.

RP 10: Owen Jones, 24, High-A/Low-A

Photo credits
Urias: Nick Anderson, Courtesy of Great Lakes Loons
All others: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue