Dodgers invite top prospects to 7th annual Winter Development Program

As they've done for seven straight years, the Dodgers are holding their Winter Development Program at Dodger Stadium, beginning Sunday.

The main goals of the program are to help Dodger minor-leaguers not only prepare for the majors, but also to prepare themselves for the off-the-field aspect of being a Major League Baseball player.

From the Dodgers' official press release:

"Fifteen of the club’s top minor league prospects will be in Los Angeles for the event, which includes seminars with Dodger staffers and workouts that focus on fundamentals, strength training and conditioning. Throughout the week, Dodger prospects will familiarize themselves with the greater Los Angeles area through social events and a community service visit to A Place Called Home, a youth center in South Los Angeles. The program is highlighted by sessions with Don Mattingly, Tommy Lasorda, Don Newcombe, Maury Wills, Eric Karros, Shawn Green, Stan Kasten and Ned Colletti and the annual Legends Dinner with Dodger alumni."

The attendees are as follows:

Pedro Baez
Chili Buss
Jose Dominguez
Yimi Garcia
Zach Lee
Matt Magill
Jarret Martin
Pratt Maynard
Chris O'Brien
Joc Pederson
Chris Reed
Miguel Rojas
Seth Rosin
Scott Schebler
Ross Stripling

Lee, Magill, Pederson and Reed all attended the 2013 Winter Development Program.

Baez, Garcia and Martin were added to the 40-man roster in November, so they were locks to be there. Lee and Schebeler were the Dodgers (and my) minor-league pitcher and player of the year, respectively.

Rosin was acquired from the Mets after they selected him from the Phillies in December's Rule 5 Draft. Stripling is the best prospect of the first-timers.

Magill threw a handful of games with the Dodgers, while Dominguez pitched briefly with them last season before suffering a quad injury. Buss had the smallest cup of coffee of any of the minor-leaguers invited to the program.

O'Brien

The two catchers -- Maynard and O'Brien -- both played in the Arizona Fall League (as did Garcia and Martin).

The most interesting -- and I use that term loosely -- is the inclusion of Rojas. General Manager Ned Colletti mentioned Rojas by name in a radio interview a couple weeks ago as someone who could be in the second base mix if Alexander Guerrero isn't ready to go. I blew off the thought, as did others. But the invitation to the program leads me to believe there's at least been some talk about him either being a utility infielder or the team's second baseman come March in Australia.

The Dodgers are really doing this just to spite me. I still maintain there's no way Rojas is on the Dodgers' roster come opening day. His glove may be really good (though, it probably isn't even a 65 or 70), but one has to at least hit a little to be a major leaguer. Rojas has displayed minimal ability to hit at the minor-league level. If I can say something nice about his offense, it's the fact he's walks a little (7.6 percent) and doesn't strikeout a whole lot (11.4 percent).

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Winter Meetings Day 3 - Kemp not going anywhere, Rule 5 Draft preview

Not a damn thing happened today for the Dodgers during the last full day of the Winter Meetings.

Sure, Dave Stewart may or may not have shat the bed by telling reporters Ned Colletti told him there are no plans to trade Matt Kemp (thank God), but that was really it.

• Juan Uribe didn't sign anywhere
• The Dodgers didn't trade for David Price (though, I'm starting to talk myself into it -- more on that tomorrow)
• Masahiro Tanaka still hasn't been posted
• Andre Ethier is still a Dodger

Yeah, basically nothing. It isn't bad news, but I really want something to happen soon (but not just for the sake of happening).

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The Rule 5 Draft is Thursday, and the Dodgers have five free roster spots. However, they're not really expected to choose anyone.

A primer: If a team chooses a player during the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft, said player must remain on the active roster for the entire season. There is also a $50,000 price tag on selecting a player. If the player wants to be sent to the minor leagues, the drafting team must first offer the player back to the original team for half of the original fee ($25,000).

J.J. Cooper of Baseball America previewed some of the available players. He singled out Hector Nelo from the Dodgers. Nelo was chosen in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 last year. He pitched at Double-A in 2013 and posted a 2.67 ERA, 3.56 FIP and a 7.4 K/9. He re-signed with the Dodgers after the season and was not protected on the 40-man roster.

Nelo possesses a near-100 MPH fastball, but controlling the pitch has been a big issue for the 26-year-old righty. If not, he'd have been in the majors a long time ago.

The Dodgers hold the 25th pick, and most teams decline to select a player. This draft goes fast.

A lot of relievers are chosen in the Rule 5. Jose Dominguez was left unprotected last year, but no team took him. He had a 25-game suspension looming and not a lot of experience. The Dodgers could go that route, but I'm not expecting it.

More likely, the Dodgers take a player or two in the minor-league phase, as they did last year. And since they protected Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia and Jarret Martin, there's not much chance they lose a player in the Major League phase. If anyone gets popped, it'll be Red Patterson.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr

Dodgers lose Shawn Tolleson to Rangers, plus 40-man & Rule 5 Draft

This was surprising: the Dodgers lost reliever Shawn Tolleson via waivers on Tuesday to the Texas Rangers.

Tolleson, 25, appeared in one game for the Dodgers this season and 40 in 2012. The reliever with great minor-league numbers struggled with injuries in 2013 (a back and hip, primarily). He's also a Tommy John surgery survivor (senior year of college).

In 127 2/3 career minor-league innings, Tolleson has an eye-popping 1.34 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 13.0 K/9. In his limited time with the Dodgers, he didn't show quite the same potential.

Affordable relievers with great swing-and-miss potential don't usually hit waivers, so it was surprising he was available. The Dodgers were probably trying to sneak him through on this day of many roster moves, as teams must choose to add players to their 40-man rosters by 9 p.m. tonight. If some minor-leaguers aren't added, they'll be eligible for the Dec. 12 Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings.

The only way this move makes sense is if the Dodgers think Tolleson's injury history is too much for him to overcome. Otherwise, I can't make sense of the move. The Dodgers already had eight open spots on the 40-man roster and have expendable players like Mike Baxter, Javy Guerra and Justin Sellers who could easily be outrighted before losing a reliever of Tolleson's potential.

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In seemingly unrelated news, the Dodgers should be adding reliever Yimi Garcia to the 40-man roster sometime in the next few hours. He's the only Dodger minor-leaguer eligible for the Rule 5 Draft I'd add to the roster.

Garica, 23, had a 2.54 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 12.7 K/9 with in Double-A this season. He posts great numbers thanks to a low-90s fastball with some movement and a legitimate wipeout slider. He doesn't throw exceptionally hard, but he has better-than-average control and command, but he got bit by the home run bug a bit in 2013 -- (1.3 HR/9, nine home runs in 60 1/3 IP. That appears to be an anomaly, as he gave up just five home runs in his first 189 1/3 innings minor-league innings.

Some other notable prospects who are Rule 5-eligible this year are as follows:

Pedro Baez

Brian Cavazos-Galvez

Jon Garcia

Garrett Gould

Jarret Martin

Aaron Miller

Red Patterson

Scott Schebler

Blake Smith

Of all the players listed, I'd give Patterson the best chance of being nabbed. The 26-year-old is a versatile reliever who doesn't light up the radar gun, but gets outs. I could see a team taking a flyer on Baez, but I'm not confident in that. The only other guy who could get popped is Martin, who has a mid-90s fastball and sometimes-wipeout breaking ball from the left side. Other than them, none of these guys will get chosen.

If a player is chosen, he has to remain on the active roster (25-man) for the entire season, or the drafting team would have to offer the player back to the original team at half the $50,000 price tag.

I'll do a post previewing players the Dodgers could choose in the Rule 5 Draft when it gets closer.

Photo credits
Tolleson: Epic Memories by Ron, Flickr
Patterson: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dee Gordon to play OF in winter ball in last-ditch effort to make him valuable

If the Dee Gordon era wasn't officially over yet, it is now. The shortstop (and part-time second baseman in Triple-A) will try his hand in the outfield during winter ball.

Gordon will play center field for Licey in the Dominican Republic. The team's general manager is, purely coincidentally, Manny Acta -- the man I either want to replace Don Mattingly (if he's not officially back, because that isn't totally official yet) or be his right-hand man on the bench (hat tip to Mike Petriello). But I digress.

Gordon is a good example of how volatile prospects can be. Once thought to be the next Jose Reyes (with far less power), now he's going to struggle to have a prolonged Major League career.

Many, including myself, ranked Gordon among the Dodgers' top prospects for a few years. Oops.

His speed was never a question -- dude can run. But that's the extent of his plus tools (or even close to average). The adage is, "You can't steal first base." Once again, that adage holds true.

Gordon's best game came on April 7, 2012, against the Padres. He went 3-for-4 with two walks, three stolen bases and drove in the game-winning run. That is the Dee Gordon everyone was expecting (not every night, mind you, but more often than not). His inability to adjust his game is frustrating. He obviously has a below-average bat and no power, so why not adjust and try to walk more?

If Gordon could even get on base at a .330 clip, he'd be a top 10 shortstop in baseball because he could wreak havoc on the basepaths. He'd steal 50-plus bases with ease. Alas, he did not compensate for his poor bat by walking more, putting himself in this position.

I wrote in January moving Gordon off shortstop would be a bad idea. Now, it's almost a necessity.

"If Gordon isn't traded, he could be the Isotopes' shortstop, because it doesn't make a lot of sense to make a guy with Gordon's potential a utility player so soon.

There's little doubt Gordon could handle the outfield, but any value in his bat goes out the window with a move. His bat is barely passable at shortstop. In his first 143 games, it isn't passable.

Gordon's position won't matter if he doesn't start hitting better -- something else that isn't guaranteed."

Almost everything written above can be said right now. Gordon is a trade candidate, if any team will have him. If he is dealt this winter, he'd likely be a throw-in as part of a bigger package. Teams interested in him last winter include the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners.

But back to Gordon's defense. His defense at shortstop hasn't improved, so he'll need to market himself in another way to remain a potentially valuable major leaguer.

Side note: In 3 2/3 innings at second base this year, Gordon had a defensive run saved. While an extremely small sample size, perhaps his future lies there. It'd be much better than center field.

We'll see what happens. Gordon could become a capable center fielder (because that's the only outfield spot he could conceivably play), but I'm not confident it's going to help his bat.

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Here's a full list of Dodgers playing winter ball (those who played in the organization in 2013).

Australia (Adelaide Bite)
James Baldwin
James Campbell
John Cannon
Chris Jacobs
Blake Smith

Dominican Republic
Pedro Baez (Licey)
Angel Castro (Cibaenas)
Kelvin De La Cruz (Cibaenas)
Carlos Frias (Cibao)
Dee Gordon (Licey)
Alexander Guerrero (Cibao)
Elian Herrera (Cibaenas)
Luis Vazquez (Licey)
Rafael Ynoa (Cibaenas)

Mexico
Matt Angle (Culiacan)
Juan Noriega (Los Mochis)

Puerto Rico
Freddie Cabrera (Mayaguez)
Noel Cuevas (Mayaguez)
Jose DeLeon (Caguas)
Jon Garcia (Santurce)
Matt Magill (Mayaguez)

Venezuela
Eliezer Alfonzo (Magallanes)
Chili  Buss (Lara)
Elevys Gonzalez (Margarita)
Jeremy Hazelbaker (Aragua)
Luis Meza (La Guaira)
Hector Nelo (La Guaira)
Matt Palmer (Magallanes)
Red Patterson (Lara)
Joc Pederson (Lara)
Chris Reed (La Guaira)
Miguel Rojas (La Guaira)

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers' 2013 Arizona Fall League update: Seager, Garcias, more

The Dodgers didn't send a lot of talent to the 2013 Arizona Fall League, but they did send one of their top prospects in Corey Seager.

He hasn't played particularly well, but it's hard to get discouraged at AFL numbers. Keith Law fell into that trap last year when Joc Pederson hit .096/.161/.154 in 56 plate appearances. Law has since did a reversal on Pederson.

Here's a brief update on all the Dodger prospects who have participated in the AFL. They're playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs.

Hitters

Brian Cavazos-Galvez, OF
.250/.300/.389, 1 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K
- Not a bad showing thus far, but Cavzos-Galvez is 26, so he's a bit older than most of the competition in the league.

Chris O'Brien, C
.100/.296/.200, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 5 K
- O'Brien is having a rough go of it, though, the six walks are nice. However, he's been tweeting quite a bit about his AFL time -- especially about Twins' super prospect Byron Buxton.

Pratt Maynard, C
2-for-8 (.250/.455/.625), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 0 K
- Not a ton of data on Maynard, but 2014 will be a telling season for the former third-round pick.

Corey Seager, SS
.162/.262/.243, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 12 K
- Not Pederson-esque, but not especially great, either, considering how much he struggled with his late-season promotion to Rancho Cucamonga.

Pitchers

Pedro Baez
4 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
- The converted third baseman has thrown well so far in Arizona. Many thought he would be the second coming of Kenley Jansen. Those people would be wrong. Baez is no longer on the Desert Dogs' roster.

Onelki Garcia
No stats
- Yet to pitch, but he just replaced Baez on the roster. Could use a little seasoning.

Yimi Garcia
6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
- Garcia has been the best performer of any Dodger prospect in Arizona so far. While his fastball is no better than a 55 pitch, his slider will determine how long his Major League career will be.

Jarret Martin
8 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 12 BB, 6 K
- Oof, 12 walks in eight innings isn't going to get it done. His future lies in the bullpen. He'll need to get his command and control down if he wants to ever crack a big league bullpen.

Michael Thomas
5 2/3, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
- Thomas is an under-the-radar prospect who could be a left-handed specialist in the majors one day. He had a rough start in Arizona, but has managed to turn it around a bit.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Joc Pederson to represent Dodgers at 2013 Futures Game in July

Joc Pederson will represent the Dodgers at the 2013 Futures Game on the Sunday before the All-Star game. The 21-year-old is doing some good things in the Southern League.

He's not hitting as well as he was earlier this season, but he's still posting respectable numbers: .296/.383/.500, 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 53 runs scored and 21 stolen bases (in 24 attempts).

Every year, the top prospects are selected to play in what is essentially a prospect all-star game. There is a United States team and a World team. Last year, Chris Reed represented the Dodgers for the World team as he was born in London. Teams can only send two players -- one on each squad -- for this exhibition game.

Here's a list of Dodger prospects to participate in the Futures Game since its inception in 1999:

1999 - Chin-Feng Chen, Luke Prokopec
2000 - Chen, Randey Dorame
2001 - Ricardo Rodriguez,
2002 - Victor Diaz, Rodriguez
2003 - Franklin Gutierrez, Edwin Jackson
2004 - Joel Guzman, Koyie Hill
2005 - Andy LaRoche, Russell Martin
2006 - Guzman, Chin-Lung Hu
2007 - Clayton Kershaw, Hu (MVP)
2008 - Ivan De Jesus
2009 - Pedro Baez
2010 - Baez, Dee Gordon
2011 - Alfredo Silverio
2012 - Chris Reed
2013 - Joc Pederson

The best player the Dodgers have ever sent is obviously Kershaw. Gutierrez is about the only position player to make an impact in the majors and Jackson has been a serviceable starter.

I was hoping one of the hard-throwing relievers would get the nod on the World side (i.e. Jose Dominguez), but it didn't happen. Yasiel Puig would have been a lock for the squad if he weren't promoted to the majors. At this rate, he could be a Los Angeles Dodger representative in New York.

The Futures Game is Sunday, July 14 at 11 a.m. Pacific time.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers promote RHP Ross Stripling to Double-A, plus other MiLB news

The Dodgers on Tuesday promoted right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling to Double-A Chattanooga from High-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 2012 fifth-round draft pick has been on a nearly meteoric rise since the Dodgers popped him last season.

Stripling, 23, posted some impressive numbers in the California League early this season. He struck out 34 batters in 33 2/3 innings, walked 11 batters and allowed just one home run. Those are numbers for anyone to hang his hat on, let alone a guy in his first full season in a hitter's haven.

I saw him in person on Tuesday against the Stockton Ports and, while he wasn't his sharpest (4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB), he showed me some good things.

Stripling's velocity sat in the low-90s and he touched 94 a few times. He used his curveball and changeup pretty liberally. Both flashed good potential at times.

This move was presumably made for a couple reasons:

1. He's 23 and the most advanced starting pitcher the Dodgers have in the low minors
2. Onelki Garcia was placed on the disabled list

Dodgers' assistant general manager, player development, DeJon Watson was in attendance for Stripling's start. Despite not pitching that well, Watson was apparently impressed enough to recommend the promotion. Stripling bounced back on Sunday against the San Jose Giants by throwing eight innings of one-run ball -- that probably factored into the decision as well.

It'll be interesting to see how he handles Double-A pitching. As of now, he should be skyrocketing up Dodger prospect lists. He was No. 11 for me when the season started. He's easily in the top eight now, and probably even higher than that.

Thomas also promoted to Double-A

Quakes' closer and left-hander Michael Thomas was promoted along with Stripling on Tuesday to Double-A. The 24-year-old, a 35th-round pick in 2011, had a 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 5.8 H/9, 2.2 BB/9, 12.4 K/9 and a 2.23 FIP in 12 1/3 innings.

He won't close for the Lookouts, but he should get a lot of work against some advanced hitting.

Pedro Baez will take over as the Quakes' closer.

Left-handed pitcher Eric Eadington (11.42 ERA, 9.3 BB/9) and right-handed pitcher Ryan Acosta (13.11 ERA, 16.2 H/9) both struggled mightily in Double-A and were demoted to Rancho Cucamonga to make room for Stripling and Thomas.

Outfielder Bobby Coyle was also demoted to Rancho Cucamonga.

Herrera back in the bigs

Elian Herrera was recalled to the Dodgers to replace Jerry Hairston, who hit the disabled list Tuesday with a strained groin.

Don Mattingly had said he wanted someone who could play both corner outfield spots, so naturally, the Yasiel Puig speculation began. Alas, it was Herrera who got the call.

Herrera wasn't doing much with the bat at Triple-A Albuquerque, hitting just .250. His versatility is nice, but I wouldn't expect much out of Herrera this time around.

Lee good, again

Zach Lee posted another "ho-hum" performance on Tuesday night in Chattanooga:

6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 91 pitches, 59 strikes

Like I said, ho-hum for Lee these days. The kid is having a fantastic season thus far (2.15 ERA) and is proving his worth with every passing start.

Puig is exciting

This is not breaking news, but Puig is an exciting player. In fact, he's the most exciting prospect the Dodgers have ever had.

From my most recent article on Yahoo! Sports:

"Much is made about prospects. As Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus says, they'll break your heart. But they'll also - one day - be the cornerstone of a franchise.

Enter Los Angeles Dodgers' uber outfield prospect Yasiel Puig. Puig, 22, is the most exciting prospect the Dodgers have ever had. But he could still break the collective heart of Dodger fans.

 With his immense power potential and great, but not quite Bo Jackson-like athleticism (because there's only one "Bo"), he has scouts and fans alike drooling just thinking about the potential."

His time is coming, folks. It probably won't be until 2014, but we can wait 11 months. It'll be worth it.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes announce 2013 roster, led by Ross Stripling and Angelo Songco

Stripling

The next Dodger minor-league affiliate to announce its roster is the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League.

• 2013 Great Lakes Loons opening day roster

Last year, the Quakes boasted an impressive pitching staff that included Garrett Gould, Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Angel Sanchez and Andres Santiago. This season, in the hitter-friendly league, the team looks to have another potentially strong pitching staff.

Ross Stripling and Duke von Schamann – both 2012 draftees (fifth and 15th, respectively) – figure to head the rotation, along with Cal League returners Gould and Jon Michael Redding. Jarret Martin, who made two appearances with the Quakes in 2012, will fill out the rotation.

Again, like the Loons, I hit on 14 of 25 players from my January prediction.

Roster

Catchers

Pratt Maynard

Chris O’Brien

Dickson

Infielders

O’Koyea Dickson

Elevys Gonzalez

Casio Grider (DL)

Ryan Mount

Darnell Sweeney

Scott Wingo

Outfielders

Noel Cuevas

Jonathan Garcia

Robbie Garvey

Scott Schebler

Starting pitchers

Garrett Gould

Jarret Martin

Jon Michael Redding

Ross Stripling

Duke von Schamann

Baez

Relief pitchers

Pedro Baez

James Campbell

Daniel Coulombe

Gustavo Gomez

Raydel Sanchez

Matt Shelton

Craig Stem

Michael Thomas

The offense could be good and is led Songco, a Cal League All-Star in 2011. Songco was on the fast track to Double-A after that season, but a broken leg derailed his 2012, a season in which he spent time at Low-A Great Lakes and Rancho.

Sweeney, another 2012 draftee (13th round), should be the team’s starting shortstop. He played a lot of second base in spring training in deference to other players, but Wingo returns to Rancho and figures to be the team’s leadoff hitter and second baseman. The team also has Dickson, a 2012 Midwest League All-Star, who figures to share time with Songco at first base and designated hitter (both getting ample playing time).

Maynard, 80 name, returns to Rancho, along with O’Brien, to be the team’s backstops.

Garcia returns to the Cal League at the ripe old age of 21. He struggled, surprisingly, in his first stint with the Quakes. He has good power potential and here’s hoping a season against advanced competition leads to success in 2013. Noel Cuevas, a toolsy outfielder, figures to get a lot of playing time in his this time in High-A after a 23-game stint there in 2011. Scott Schebler, who doesn’t walk a lot, is will be the team’s every day left fielder. And, in perhaps the most interesting story, the player the Dodgers signed after open tryouts during spring training, is headed to Rancho.

Garvey is a short, speedy left-handed hitter who can play center field. Cuevas figures to start in center, but Garvey should get a decent look and spell Schebler and Garcia when they need off days (with Cuevas shifting to a corner).

My best guess at a lineup

Wingo 2B

Sweeney SS

Songco 1B/DH

Dickson DH/1B

Schebler LF

Garcia RF

Mount 3B

O’Brien/Maynard C

Cuevas CF

Songco, if he hits well enough, figures to earn a promotion to Double-A. Dickson, Garcia and Schebler could be a solid middle-of-the-order, especially if the table-setters (Wingo and Sweeney) get on base enough.

This team could challenge for a playoff spot, if the pitching holds up over the season. The bullpen, with converted third baseman Baez and a couple of tough lefties in Coulombe and Thomas could prove to be tough for Cal League hitters.

There’s usually a lot of talent in the Cal League. This team could make some noise if everything goes right, though.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 25 - Dodgers, Jim Shonerd interview, Castellanos, Uribe, Baez, prospects

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (L.A. Dugout) and I interview Baseball America's Jim Shonerd. Shonerd authored the Dodgers' Top 30 prospect list for the BA Prospect Handbook and gave us some good insight into the process.

Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Greinke's debuts are discussed briefly before we look at the case for Alex Castellanos making the 25-man roster. This led to a tangent about how terrible Juan Uribe is at baseball. It pleased me.

Bullpen Banter released its Dodgers' Top 15 prospect list, which we discuss. No really big surprises, but Alex Santana continues to get some love in prospect lists despite not having hit much in his first two seasons.

We also examine Pedro Baez and his move to the bullpen. He's already drawing praise from one Hall-of-Famer in Sandy Koufax. I'll be penning a post about him in the not to distant near future.

Per usual, we close with listener questions. Who are some prospects to watch during Spring Training? What would it take for the Dodgers to land Emilio Bonafacio in a trade with the Blue Jays? Could the Yankees be interested in Andre Ethier after Curtis Granderson suffered a broken forearm?

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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 (@LADugout or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Flamethrowers: Examining the best fastballs in the Dodgers' farm system

Sticking with the power theme, I'm going to look at the best fastballs in the in the Dodgers' farm system. I'll separate the starters and relievers.

The Dodgers have a lot of power arms in the system -- something every team should want. It remains to be seen if these guys, especially the starters, make it to the majors in some capacity. One thing's for sure: arm talent cannot be taught. Every pitcher on this list has arm talent that needs to be harnessed and controlled.

Starters

Scott Barlow
- When Barlow was drafted, he wasn't much of a flamethrower. He checked in at 89-91 MPH on his fastball with a projectable frame. In the Instructional League that year, he was sitting in the low-90s consistently and even touched the mid-90s. As a starter, that qualifies as a plus fastball. The only thing when placing Barlow on this list is he's thrown just 1 2/3 innings since turning pro.

Onelki Garcia
- Garcia has one of the more interesting fastballs in the system. He's heater has natural arm-side run and he can also sink it. But when he has to, he can pump his four-seamer up to 95 MPH. It sits in the 90-93 range and he can control it pretty well.



Jarret Martin
- Martin's fastball is a lot like Garcia's, but he doesn't control or sink it as well. Like most left-handers, there is some arm-side run with his fastball. Martin's biggest determent is his inability to control his fastball. The velocity is there, but the command and control aren't. For now, he's a starter. If he can't make it as a starter, his fastball could get a 1-2 MPH bump, making it that much better.



Chris Reed
- Reed isn't one of my favorites, but his fastball is a legitimate pitch. Like Garcia and Martin before him, he can run it up to 95 MPH from the left side but works better in the low-90s. His biggest obstacle is going to be keeping his velocity up as a starter. As a reliever, he'd have little issue hitting the low-to-mid-90s consistently. As a starter, if he can work at 90-93 MPH, he should be golden.



Relievers

Pedro Baez
- A recent addition to the pitching staff, Baez was once clocked at 94 MPH across the diamond (from third to first). That's an impressive feat unto itself. Dodger minor-league pitching instructors are going to have their work cut out for them. They'll need to harness Baez's undeniable arm talent if they expect him to be a valuable reliever at any point.

Jose Dominguez
- Dominguez has the best fastball in the system that sits in the high-90s and regularly touches triple digits. He has a little trouble controlling the pitch, but the velocity cannot be denied. There was some buzz he could be popped in the Rule 5 Draft in December, mostly due to his great fastball.

Eric Eadington
- Eadington routinely works in the low-90s from the left side and even touched 95 MPH a couple times when I saw him in person in June. There isn't much else he does with it, but a consistent low-to-mid-90s fastball from a southpaw qualifies as a plus pitch.

Scott Griggs
- Griggs profiles as a power reliever out of the bullpen and boasts a consistent mid-90s fastball. He even runs it up to 98 MPH when needed. Control is a big issue for Griggs going forward as he walked 21 batters in his first 22 2/3 innings.


Juan Rodriguez
- Rodriguez is similar to Dominguez with his fastball, as it sits in the mid-to-high-90s and touches 100 MPH on occasion. But unlike Dominguez, Rodriguez has even more trouble controlling the pitch. He walked 41 batters in 38 1/3 last season. He can strike batters out, but that won't matter if he walks hitters at an historic rate.


Josh Wall
- Wall is the most accomplished of the relievers on this list, as he made his Major League debut last season while spending the rest of his time with the Isotopes. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and he can reach back for a little more if he needs it.


Chris Withrow
- Withrow routinely hit the low-to-mid-90s as a starting pitcher. Now, he profiles as a late-inning, power reliever out of the bullpen who can dial up his heater to the upper-90s. Like some of the other flamethrowers on this list, Withrow has trouble commanding the pitch, leading to an uncertain future. But his velocity isn't going anywhere.

Dodgers sign Mark Lowe and move Chris Withrow, Pedro Baez to the 'pen

The Dodgers and Mark Lowe had basically been dancing around for a couple weeks and finally came to an agreement on Friday.

If Lowe makes the team as a non-roster invitee, he'll earn a $1.5 million base salary. With incentives, he could earn $2.1 million.

Lowe's 2012, despite a nice ERA (3.43), didn't really pitch all that well. His 4.32 FIP was on the high side and his groundball rate dipped considerably compared to his career rate. Despite giving up just five home runs, he did so in 39 1/3 innings, for a HR/FB rate of 9.4 percent, which is just average.

Lowe is much more effective against right-handed hitters than lefties in his career:

• vs. RHP: .234/.309/.330, six home runs allowed in 615 plate appearances
• vs. LHP: .287/.361/.504, 22 home runs allowed in 534 plate appearances

The data suggest Lowe should be a ROOGY, if he even makes the team. The Dodgers already have a potentially full bullpen, as well as a guy like Peter Moylan, who is also a non-roster invitee.

This is a low-risk signing for the Dodgers. If Lowe is right, he could be a nice weapon against righties out of the bullpen.

Baez and Withrow now relievers

The Dodgers moved two prospects to the bullpen this week. One is former first-round pick Chris Withrow. The big righty out of Texas, who was once among the Dodgers' best prospects, has not been able to find the strike zone consistently enough as a starter. He pitched in relief last year and had better success.

Withrow has a mid-to-high-90s fastball that, if he can locate it, will do great out of the bullpen. He pairs a slider with the potentially plus fastball. He also has a changeup that is seldom used and he's all but scrapped his curveball.

The more interesting move -- and it's been a long time coming -- is Pedro Baez moving to the bullpen. To be more specific, he's moving from third base to the mound. He's following the career path of Kenley Jansen (even though he was a catcher) and has the arm strength to do it.

Baez was once, reportedly, clocked at 94 MPH across the diamond -- from third to first base. If the Dodger minor-league pitching coaches can get him to harness that arm talent and develop even a fringy-average secondary offering, he could be a nice piece. However, he could be a few years off. He's already 25, so he's four years behind Jansen in that regard.

One thing's for sure: the Dodgers have no shortage of right-handed, power relievers in the minors.

Photo credits

Lowe: Keith Allison, Flickr

Withrow: SD Dirk, Flickr

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 22 - Dodgers, Ross Stripling interview, prospects, minors, listener questions

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (L.A. Dugout) and I interview Dodgers' pitching prospect Ross Stripling. He was the team's 2012 fifth-round selection and gives us a lot of insight to his increased velocity, his first season as a pro and what he did on draft day.

We examine the Dodger prospects who made Keith Law's Top 100 list. There were only two, and one omission might surprise you.

We talk about two Dodger prospects who are moving to the bullpen -- both of which were expected moves. One is Chris Withrow, the other Pedro Baez. Withrow was the Dodgers' 2007 first-round pick and once had a ton of promise. Baez is a former third baseman who just couldn't hit enough to make it as a position player.

Jared and I also touch on non-roster invitees who could potentially make the Opening Day roster or remain in the organization in some capacity.

Finally, we close with listener questions. How old is Yasiel Puig, really? What other podcasts do we listen to? Are the Dodgers doing the right thing by not trading Chris Capuano and/or Aaron Harang just yet?

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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 (@LADugout or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Dodgers need to rid themselves of Juan Uribe as soon as possible

It's no secret I've been against the Juan Uribe deal since he signed with the team two winters ago. I'm not usually in the business of saying "I told you so," but, well, it's quite fitting at this time.

Uribe is mired in a miserable slump (yes, even more miserable than his Dodger career totals). Since rejoining the team from injury on June 11, he's 5-for-49 with three doubles, two runs scored three walks and 15 strikeouts. Even worse, he's on an 0-for-25 streak right now.

When the Dodgers signed him, Uribe was coming off a big postseason with the Giants. Well, that's what Ned Colletti would tell you. In reality, he went 7-for-47 with two home runs and eight RBI. Unfortunately, those two home runs came at "clutch" times, thus leading people to believe Uribe was some kind of postseason hero.

He's actually one of the worst players in baseball and the Dodgers just need to cut their losses short with him.

There are two things keeping him around right now: his defensive ability (which isn't exactly Adrian Beltre-esque no matter what his 21.2 UZR says) and the fact the Dodgers have zero third base depth in the minors. Why do you think guys like Elian Herrera and Luis Cruz have even seen time in the majors this season?

The Dodgers drafted Corey Seager to be the eventual long-term third baseman, but he won't be ready for at least three years -- and that's being extremely optimistic. Other than that, guys like Josh Fields (not a prospect), Jake Lemmerman (more of a utility/middle infielder) and Pedro Baez (can't hit) are the next guys in line and they're not exactly realistic options.

But as for right now, the Dodgers are better off playing Jerry Hairston at third base the majority of the time. But since he's not an every day player, playing career minor-leaguers like Herrera and Cruz (and maybe even Adam Kennedy) are better options than Uribe. He's a black hole at the plate and has no business being on a Major League roster right now.

The Dodgers -- mainly Colletti -- have a really hard time known when to cut bait. If there was ever a time he was going to own up to his mistake, this would be the time. The fact that guys like Mike Petriello, Eric Stephen and Jon Weisman are saying there's a chance Uribe could be designated for assignment means there's some hope.

If the Dodgers sack up and actually DFA Uribe, they won't stick with the trio Herrera, Cruz and Kennedy for long. My expectation is they would step up trade efforts for a third baseman, particularly guys like Chase Headley or Jed Lowrie (who plays short but could slide over to third).

First thing's first, though: time to trim the excess fat (pun intended).

Minor league moves

The Dodgers made a number of minor league moves this week. Here are some of the more notable ones:

• Seager was assigned to Ogden and has already played in a couple games
• Steven Rodriguez was signed and went straight to Great Lakes
• Angelo Songco was promoted from Great Lakes to Rancho Cucamonga
• Darnell Sweeney was promoted to Great Lakes from Ogden to take Songco's spot

Seager beginning in Ogden is no surprise. He'll finish his first professional season there.

Rodriguez, the Dodgers' second-round pick, going to Great Lakes doesn't surprise me, but him signing for slot ($610,800) surprises me. That means the Dodgers will have to pay a luxury tax which comes in a little less than $75,000. The expectation was the Dodgers could get Rodriguez signed cheaper than slot to offer Seager a little more to forgo his commitment to South Carolina and because Rodriguez was overdrafted a bit.

Songco was rehabbing at Great Lakes and actually struggled a bit: .175/.281/.367 with six home runs. The home runs and walks were nice, but the .175 batting average was not -- especially since he played in the league a couple years ago. No clue how long he'll be in Rancho, but I'd like to see him in Chattanooga before the season ends.

Sweeney, the Dodgers' 13th-round draft pick, had a solid triple slash in 16 games: .303/.380/.379 for a glove-first shortstop. Drawing nine walks (against eight strikeouts) and stealing 10 bases were both positives for a 21-year-old fresh out of college.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr