Gold Glovers: Examining the best defenders in the Dodgers' farm system

In what is probably the least-sexy tool among baseball players, I examine the best defensive players in the Dodgers' farm system.

There are no Cesar Izturis' or Alex Cora's in this bunch, but there are some players who are quality defenders.

Postseason hardware is not indicative of defensive prowess, as Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp have Gold Glove awards, but the Dodgers could have a few guys who contend for the award in the future.

While the tool is not sexy, it is necessary and an underrated facet of the game.

Previous entries in this series

• Power
• Fastball
• Speed
• Slider
• Hitting 
• Curveball 

This list is reserved for Dodger position player prospects who feature 60 or better (future) defense.

James Baldwin
- Baldwin is the Dodgers' best defensive outfielder, as he handles center field with relative ease. His speed helps him range for fly balls not many other Dodger prospects. His arm is just average in center field, but his other defensive tools are unquestioned. Provided he hits enough, he could be a starting center fielder in the majors.

Gorman Erickson
- Erickson made big strides behind the plate last season, challenging fellow farm hand Tim Federowicz for best defensive catcher. The only thing really holding him back defensively is a below-average caught stealing rate. His arm is at least average, but it's a little difficult to get his lanky 6-foot-4 body to be compact when he throws.

Tim Federowicz
- Voted the best defensive catcher in the Pacific Coast League in 2012, Federowicz boasts a quality glove that is major-league ready. He is pretty good at throwing out runners, snagging 39 percent of basestealers in Triple-A last year. He's caught 50 percent of attempted basestealers in the majors, even if it is just 3-of-6. He should have a long career based on the strength of his glove. If he hits, then he's a surefire starter.

Blake Smith
- Smith took to right field in college and, despite logging some time on the mound at Cal, has stuck at the position. He uses his above-average instincts and average speed to track down fly balls with ease in right field. He has the best outfield throwing arm in the system, but Yasiel Puig is giving him a run for his money. Smith has even dabbled in center field, but he'll likely stay in right field going forward.

Jesmuel Valentin
- Valentin earned rave reviews for his defense in his debut season, earning best defensive infielder and best infield arm honors from Baseball America. Despite playing mostly second base in deference to 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa, Valentin still projects as at least an average shortstop (probably better) and above-average at second base. He has enough arm for shortstop, making it a plus arm for second base. He could carve out a niche as a utility infielder at worst, but the Dodgers hope he's much better than that.

Rafael Ynoa
- Smith sung Ynoa's defensive praise when he was a guest on "Dugout Blues." Ynoa is a lot like Valentin (or is it the other way around?), as he can play both middle infield positions well. Ynoa is better at second base than he is at shortstop, but he split time between the positions evenly in 2012. The Dodgers don't have much in the way of middle infield prospects in the upper minors, but Dee Gordon starting the season in Albuquerque eliminates Ynoa from being the Isotopes' opening day shortstop.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers' full-season minor league team preview: Albuquerque Isotopes

This is the final post in a four-part series projecting the Dodgers' full-season minor league teams. To close out the series, the Albuquerque Isotopes.

• Part 1: Great Lakes Loons
• Part 2: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
• Part 3: Chattanooga Lookouts

The Isotopes finished as the Pacific Coast League American Southern division with an 80-64 record. The 'Topes faced off against the Oklahoma Storm Chasers (Royals' affiliate).

One of the better teams in the minors, the Storm Chasers and Isotopes traded the first three games of the series. In Game 4, the 'Topes were down 10-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. At the time, it looked like their season was done. However, a nine-run seventh, including a game-deciding three-run home run from Tony Gwynn, propelled the Isotopes to a deciding Game 5, which Oklahoma won handily.

Van Slyke

The 2012 Isotopes were led on offense by young players Alex Castellanos, Jerry Sands and Scott Van Slyke. Josh Fields, a veteran, had a late-season hot streak that led to a .322/.392/.488 line in 133 games. There is usually no shortage of offensive firepower for the 'Topes.

Castellanos, despite playing just 94 games, posted a great .328/.420/.590 triple slash with 17 home runs. The Dodgers don't seem to keen on letting him be the team's right-handed hitting platoon outfielder, so expect him back at Triple-A. Sands was traded to Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez trade. He was traded to Pittsburgh this winter and may or may not get real playing time with the Bucs. Van Slyke seems like the prototypical Four-A player and should be the team's left fielder.

The pitching staff was led by John Ely, who had one of the best seasons for a PCL pitcher, going 14-7 with a 3.20 ERA and a league-leading 165 strikeouts (in 168 2/3 innings). He also had a sparkling WHIP (1.10) and a great walks per nine innings rate (1.9). For his efforts, he was traded to Houston. Stephen Fife was decent, but unspectacular, for Albuquerque. He provided 135 1/3 innings of adequate innings. Other than those two, the Isotopes' rotation left a lot to be desired.

Projected roster

Catchers (2)
Tim Federowicz
Matt Wallach

Infielders (5)
Nick Evans
Elian Herrera
Osvaldo Martinez
Dallas McPherson
Rafael Ynoa

Smith

Outfielders (5)
Nick Buss
Alex Castellanos
Jeremy Moore
Blake Smith
Scott Van Slyke

Starting pitchers (5)
Michael Antonini
Stephen Fife
Matt Magill
Matt Palmer
Jon Michael Redding

Relievers (8)
Geison Aguasviva
Steve Ames
Cole St. Clair
Kevin Gregg
Mark Lowe
Shawn Tolleson
Josh Wall
Chris Withrow

A name missing from my projection is Gwynn. I suspect he'll be traded or released prior to the season. If he isn't, Buss should be that fall guy. Also missing is Dee Gordon. I'm betting (hoping?) he breaks camp with the Dodgers, or he's moved toward the end of Spring Training.

The starting pitching, as usual, will be a little weak. Magill should head the rotation and is a legitimate prospect. The bullpen should have some intriguing characters, including Ames, Tolleson Wall and Withrow (if he can throw strikes). This also means I'm projecting Paco Rodriguez to break camp with the big league club.

My lineup
Buss/Moore CF
Herrera 2B
Castellanos LF/DH
McPherson 3B
Van Slyke DH/LF
Smith RF
Evans 1B
Federowicz C
Ynoa SS

This lineup could score a ton of runs. Castellanos, McPherson and Van Slyke are PCL veterans and should be a formidable 3-4-5. The last time McPherson was in the PCL, he hit 22 home runs with the Sacramento River Cats. The last time he was with Albuquerque (as a member of the Marlins' organization), he blasted 42 home runs.

Smith and Ynoa should make their Triple-A debuts and could benefit from the extreme hitter-friendly environments.

Much like any year, the offense will determine the Isotopes' success. But I'm interested to see how Magill handles the rarefied air and if those fireballers out of the 'pen can keep the PCL hitters at bay.

Photo credits

Van Slyke: EephusBlue, Twitter

Smith: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers add prospects Matt Magill and Steve Ames to 40-man roster

In an unsurprising move, the Dodgers today added right-handed pitchers Matt Magill and Steve Ames to their 40-man roster, thus protecting them from December's Rule 5 Draft.

Both were members of the Chattanooga Lookouts this season and both performed well.

I named Magill my Dodgers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in September after he was the Lookouts' best starting pitcher.

Magill, who just turned 23, pitched in the Southern League against advanced competition and enjoyed success. His rate stats were impressive and some were among the best in the organization. He went 11-8 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 7.8 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 3.8 BB/9, 10.3 K/9, 2.75 K/BB and a 2.91 FIP.

Magill led the organization in strikeouts with 168. His rate stats show that he's a much better prospect than many thought and definitely warrant's a spot on the Dodgers' nearly full 40-man roster (38 spots occupied).

Ames, 24, enjoyed perhaps his best season at his most advanced level. While his stuff doesn't blow hitters away, he was still able to amass a 10.2 K/9 (72 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings). He knows how to pitch.

Ames is in the long line of Dodger relief prospects and he should be the next prospect in line for a promotion. I'd be surprised if he doesn't make his major league debut in 2013.

While right-handed relievers seemingly grow on trees, Ames has a chance to be a solid middle reliever in the majors.

Magill and Ames were just two of many players who were eligible to be added, but they were the only two who were worthy of being added.

Some players had no chance of being added (Michael Antonini, Jose Dominguez, Juan Rodriguez) while some, I'm sure, were under consideration (Aaron Miller, Blake Smith, Rafael Ynoa).

Of the players left unprotected by the Dodgers, I'd be shocked if anyone of them were chosen by a team during the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft.

Guys like Cole St. Clair and Ynoa probably have the best chance, but St. Clair had a poor season at Triple-A and Ynoa has never played at a level higher than Double-A.

For now, Magill and Ames are safe and could both make their debuts in 2013.

Prospect news: Lee among SL's best, Puig out for AFL, first two AFL games

Zach Lee, who was ranked as the fifth-best prospect in the California League last week, was tabbed as the Southern League's 13th-best prospect, according to Baseball America.

Lee was the only current Dodger prospect to make the list. Allen Webster, who was traded to Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, was ranked as the league's ninth-best prospect.

That was a little surprising, but Baseball America has always liked Webster, so I guess it isn't that surprising.

Lee will begin the 2013 season with the Lookouts and, if all goes according to plan, he won't don a Dodger jersey until September at the earliest. But it is nice to have the organization's top prospect close enough to the majors that he could contribute if needed.

Puig won't play in AFL

Dodgers' $42 million prospect Yasiel Puig won't play in the Arizona Fall League after suffering a staph infection. The injury isn't serious.

Many folks were interested to see how Puig would do against advanced competition as he had just 95 plate appearances in his debut season.

There is a chance he'll play winter ball, but the level of competition is significantly lower than that of the AFL.

While Puig's talents are still unknown, it's hard not to acknowledge the outstanding physical ability he possesses. He's an imposing figure and, if his head is screwed on straight, should be the next great Dodger prospect.

I'm hoping to see him in person come next season.

Pederson, Eadington struggle in AFL opener

Joc Pederson and Eric Eadington both go their first taste of fall ball on Tuesday -- and both didn't fare particularly well.

Pederson, who hit second and played left field, went 0-for-4 with six runners left on base while Eadington gave up two solo home runs in his inning of work.

Neither of them played in Wednesday's game.

Rafael Ynoa played well in the first game (2-for-4 with an RBI). Gorman Erickson has played in both games, but merely as a backup catcher.

Chris Reed and Red Patterson pitched in Wednesady's game. Reed, who replaced Steven Rodriguez on the roster, went one scoreless inning while hitting a batter. Patterson also threw a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.

Andres Santiago is slated to start on Friday. I'm really interested to see how he does against advanced competition.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Pederson, Puig, Rodriguez among Dodgers' prospects to play in AFL

The Dodgers are sending four position players and four pitchers to this year's Arizona Fall League following the season.

Teams tend to have legitimate prospects participate in the AFL, and the Dodgers are no exception this year.

Position players
Gorman Erickson
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Rafael Ynoa

Pitchers
Eric Eadington
Red Patterson
Steven Rodriguez
To be determined

Baseball America has the full rosters on its site. It lists the Dodgers' final pitcher as "TBD," so we'll see who it might be. I'd be shocked if it was a guy like Zach Lee or Chris Reed. It'll likely be another reliever.

Steve Ames went last season and because he's been dominant in 2012, I don't think he needs the extra work. I could see it being Juan Rodriguez. He was suspended earlier this season in Rancho Cucamonga for "conduct detrimental to the team," so he doesn't have a lot of mileage on his arm this season. However, his 9.6 walks per nine innings rate (no, that isn't a typo) is quite alarming. He could probably use the extra work.

There's also the possibility of the Dodgers not filling that spot. We'll see what happens.

I'm really excited to see how Pederson and Puig handle the league. Since a lot of good prospects play in the AFL, it's a solid determiner of potential success. It isn't the be all, end all, but it helps when evaluating players.

Pederson has been fantastic this season and is opening up eyes. Puig, as we all know, got a late start to the season after signing his record-breaking contract. He can definitely use the extra baseball.

Erickson was in the AFL last season and has been massively disappointing in 2012. We'll see if it helps him at all going forward.

Ynoa, who's finishing up his age-24 season (turned 25 one day after my birthday), has virtually zero pop, but he has decent on-base skills. My guess is the Dodgers want to see how he handles advanced competition. He's been decent in Chattanooga.

The same could be said about Eadington and Patterson. Both are a little old for their level, but both could be serviceable bullpen arms down the road. Patterson is a bit underrated and has handled Double-A well. Eadington was able to strike hitters out in his 11 Double-A innings, but he gave up too many hits (13). The Dodgers probably want to see if he's a viable option sometime next season or in 2014.

Rodriguez could be the first player from the 2012 draft class to get the call to the majors after Marcus Stroman's suspension. He'll get a little more work in Arizona and could conceivably make the Dodgers' bullpen out of 2013 Spring Training -- but I wouldn't put money on it.

So, if you live in Arizona and want to see some Dodger prospects, this might be your best chance to do so. Some of them will probably get Spring Training invites, but they won't play a whole lot.

Lee rolling in Chattanooga

Remember when people were freaking out over Zach Lee's poor Double-A performance? Well, he's done quite a bit to shut those people up.

Lee's last eight starts: 4-1, 1.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 7.3 H/9, 0.6 HR/9 (three home runs allowed), 2.0 BB/9, 6.9 K/9 and a 3.5 K/BB.

That's damn good for a 20-year-old in the Southern League. His strikeout numbers are down from Rancho, but that's to be expected going forward. He's more of a control/location pitcher than a strikeout guy. However, he has shown the ability to get the strikeout when needed.

Perhaps that worry should be focused on Chris Reed, who's had a lackluster year while adjusting to the rotation.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue