Report: Dodgers acquire Michael Young from Phillies because, um, grit?

In some extremely surprising news, the Dodgers traded for Michael Young at the waiver trade deadline on Saturday night.

I was down the left field line taking video of Matt Kemp's second at-bat in his third rehab game and I just sighed, heavily, when I read the tweet from Fox Sports.

BREAKING: #Dodgers get Michael Young from #Phillies
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 1, 2013

I just don't know what to make of this deal. Young literally has a 0 wins above replacement. Literally. It isn't even known who the Dodgers are trading to get Young, but it just didn't seem like the Dodgers needed a guy like Young going forward.

Young is walking at a career-high clip of 8.3 percent. That's about it. He doesn't offer much in the way of power (eight home runs) or extra base hits (.389 slugging).

Then there's his defense, which is atrocious. He has a -16.2 UZR/150 and is -17 defensive runs saved. His UZR/150 is fourth-worst in the majors and his DRS is worst in baseball.

He could back up at first- and second base, but with Adrian Gonzalez at first and a platoon of Mark Ellis and Skip Schumaker at second, it looks like Young could spend the majority of his time at third base.

This deal depends on who the Dodgers gave up. Much like the Drew Butera trade, if it's anyone of significance, it will have been too much. They gave up Miguel Sulbaran for Butera. I'm betting they don't give up anyone as good as him for Young. Well, maybe it's more hoping than betting.

Update (Aug. 31, 9:06 p.m.): Dodgers sent Rob Rasmussen to the Phillies in the deal, while the Dodgers got some cash back in the deal to cover some or all of Young's remaining salary. He was acquired in the John Ely trade over the winter. I liked him better than most, and the Dodgers -- in my eyes -- actually gave up more for Young than Butera. So, I guess that's a win... I guess?

Oh, and this deal must be officially consummated by 9 p.m. -- roughly 30 minutes from now -- he won't be eligible for the postseason roster. Jayson Stark reports a minor-league pitcher is going to the Phillies. We'll have to see who it is.

Photo credit: Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons

Corey Seager leads eight Dodgers' prospects to 2013 Arizona Fall League

The Dodgers sent eight players to the Arizona Fall League last year, including Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. Pederson struggled mightily and Puig didn’t play due to a staph infection.

This year, the Dodgers will again send eight players, led by 2012 first-round draft pick Corey Seager. Joining him -- for now -- are catchers Pratt Maynard and Chris O’Brien, as well as outfielder BrianCavazos-Galvez. There should be four pitchers joining that quartet, which will be announced later. I can confirm Rob Rasmussen will be one of the four.

My initial prediction had Onelki Garcia, Yimi Garcia and Jarret Martin joining Rasmussen. I’m pretty sure Martin will go (hat tip to Deejaydezz, via Twitter). The other two are unknown. Chris Reed went last season and could go again. I’d like to see the Garcias get in, though.

Seager’s inclusion comes as a surprise to me, as I didn’t think he’d be eligible for the AFL.

Before last year, players had to be on the Double-A roster before Aug. 1. But now, two Low-A players or first-year draftees (signed by July 13), two High-A players and as many as three Double-A, Triple-A or young major leaguers are eligible.

Dodger prospects will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. They’ll play their home games at Camelback Ranch, home of Dodgers’ (and White Sox’s) spring training.

The best of the best usually attend the AFL. For example, Byron Buxton will be on the Desert Dogs’ roster. Buxton is baseball’s top prospect.

However, performance isn’t always the best indicator of how these players will do going forward. Pederson had a miserable 2012 AFL season (.096/.161/.154) -- so much so that it caused some prospectors (hi, Keith Law) to rank Pederson lower in offseason lists than he should have been.

It’ll be interesting to see how Seager does against some of the game’s best. He should see ample time at shortstop. Marcus Semien is the only other true shortstop on the roster, and third base is likely to be occupied by Marlins’ 2013 first-round draft pick Colin Moran. Scouts from all over will get a look at Seager and we should have a more accurate representation of the future star.

Those in the organization think he can stick at shortstop. Those outside don’t. Perhaps some scuttlebutt from Arizona could reaffirm one opinion or the other.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin’ Kinda Blue

Dodgers, surprisingly, promote LHP Onelki Garcia to Triple-A Albuquerque

Word broke on Sunday that the Dodgers had promoted left-handed pitcher Onelki Garcia from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Albuquerque.

The corresponding move was lefty Rob Rasmussen was demoted to Chattanooga. It was reported he'd be pitching exclusively out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season. He didn't fare too well in Triple-A after having a really nice go of it in the Southern League to start the season.

Garcia, 24, was the Dodgers' 2012 third-round draft pick out of Cuba (after being declared draft-eligible) and opened some eyes during the 2012 Southern League playoffs.

He began the 2013 in the Lookouts' rotation. He averaged less than four innings per start (19 1/3 innings) due to control issues. He walked more batters (15) than he struck out (13), but was still able to post a solid 3.72 ERA  and .231 batting average against. He was only throwing 52 percent of his pitches for strikes, which helped lead to him allowing nearly a .390 on-base percentage, which won't do.

In his only other start (June 3), he lasted just two innings, allowed six hits, four runs (three earned), walked one and struck out four.

Since that time, he's pitched out of the bullpen -- and been pretty good. The following numbers include a two-inning relief appearance on May 30:

33 1/3 IP
20 H
6 R
5 ER
16 BB
36 K
1.35 ERA
.175 BAA

He's been much better out of the bullpen. While his future probably ultimately lies in the 'pen, I'd have liked to see him get a chance at starting again before any kind of promotion.

The Dodgers could view Garcia as a possible September call-up, hence the move. But if they want him to be playoff-eligible (which may or may not be the case), he'll need to be on the 25-man roster (or major league disabled list) by 6 p.m. on Aug. 31. The same goes for every player on the 40-man roster -- which Garcia isn't even on at the moment.

Garcia's low-to-mid-90s fastball plays up out of the bullpen. He can sink it, hence a 2.27 ground out-to-fly out ratio in his last 18 appearances. He also has a power curveball that acts like a slider at times. His changeup is fringy at best, hence a probable future as a late-inning reliever. He can get righties out, so he's definitely not a LOOGY.

I'd be surprised if the Dodgers added him to the active roster before Aug. 31. Then again, I didn't see a promotion to Triple-A coming, so a call-up wouldn't be out of the question.

Photo credit: YouTube screen cap, Chris Blessing

My 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers midseason Top 25 prospects

With the Major League Baseball season more than half over, it's time to unveil my midseason Top 25 Dodgers' prospect list.

There are some new faces, some young faces (Julio Urias, right) and some players who have broken out. There are also some who have fallen from their preseason rank. There wasn't as much an infusion of talent as there was in last year's midseason Top 25.

My top prospect might surprise some folks, but I've been on the Zach Lee bandwagon since last year.

Eligiblity

All players who have not reached 50 innings pitched, 130 at-bats in the Major Leagues and have less than 45 days of pre-Sept. 1 service time are eligible for this list.

Numbers in parenthesis are the player's rank in my preseason Top 50.

1. Zach Lee, RHP (1)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga

Current location: Chattanooga

- Lee is having a fantastic season as a 21-year-old in Double-A -- something for which he doesn’t get enough recognition. Lee is second on the Lookouts in innings pitched (98 2/3) and ERA (3.01) and has improved his strikeouts per nine innings rate to what would be a career-high if the season ended today (8.2). His secondary offerings have helped to improve that rate. Director of Player Development DeJon Watson said Lee’s slider has been the most improved and his curveball is tighter. For the rest of the season, I’d like to see him build more stamina and go later into games, as he’s averaging just 5.4 innings per start.

2. Corey Seager, SS (3, +1)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes

Current location: Great Lakes

- Seager has established himself as the team’s best hitting prospect and the best prospect in many others’ eyes. Despite fighting through a hamstring injury, he’s still hitting a .300/.382/.490 with eight home runs, 43 RBI and an .872 OPS -- all while playing a respectable shortstop. Watson said “He’s a shortstop, he’s staying at shortstop, he’s playing it well and he’s really just stabilizing the infield defense whenever he gets in the lineup.” So, I guess he’s a shortstop. I’m still not 100 percent sold, but if he can remain at short, his value increases exponentially.

3. Joc Pederson, CF (5, +2)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga

Current location: Chattanooga

- Pederson got off to a blazing start this season and, as one of the youngest hitters in the Southern League, is having a fantastic season. He represented the Dodgers at the Futures Game (1-for-1, walk, run scored) and was one of eight Lookouts named to the Southern League All-Star team. His .296/.386/.516 triple slash is impressive. His 14 home runs and 19 doubles are impressive. But most impressive is his 26-for-29 stolen base rate. He’s improved every aspect of his game, improving his power, his baserunning and his defense. He’s OPSing .10 points fewer than this season than he did in the California League last year. Pederson is now considered by most a legitimate starting outfield prospect thanks to his average-to-solid-average tools across the board.

4. Ross Stripling, RHP (11, +7)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga

Current location: Chattanooga

- Stripling began the season with the Quakes, and I actually got to see him in person. He had one of his worst starts of the season that night, but he was promoted to the Lookouts one start after I saw him in early May. He’s been awfully impressive at Double-A and the 23-year-old has established himself as a legitimate prospect. Stripling’s velocity has remained consistent and in the 90-94 MPH range. His curveball is as good as always and his changeup has improved since last season. He’s also added a legit fourth pitch in his slider. He should finish out the season at Double-A and have a shot at a Major League roster spot when the Dodgers break camp in 2014.

5. Julio Urias, LHP (25, +20)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes

- Urias surprisingly made his full-season debut at the ripe old age of 16, and he’s been nothing but fantastic. In his first 33 1/3 innings, he has a 2.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 3.5 BB/9 and a 10.5 K/9.  He’s nothing short of amazing. He’s also bigger than the 5’11, 160 at which he’s listed. He’s closer to 6’1, 180 pounds. He owns an 88-92 MPH that has touched 93-95 MPH in every single start. He gets a little natural arm-side run. His changeup is his best secondary offering, grading as plus in the future. He also has a curveball that he throws on two different planes. One looks like a traditional 11-5 curve, one looks like a sharper, tighter curve that resembles a slider. Urias is a great prospect and should rank higher on this list as he matures.

6. Chris Anderson, RHP (NR)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes

- Anderson was the Dodgers’ first-round pick in 2013 and made quite a statement in his debut. The University of Jacksonville product has a low-90s fastball that he can sink. He can also run it up to 97-98 MPH on occasion, as he’s already done in his first action in professional baseball. He has a slider that sits in the low-to-mid-80s that could be a swing-and-miss pitch and an average changeup. He also has a “show me” curveball that he might need if he’s to remain a starter -- and there’s no reason to believe otherwise.

7. Chris Reed, LHP (8, +1)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga

- Reed has always been a “favorite” of mine and, despite a slow start, posted some solid numbers in the first half. I still see Reed ending up in the bullpen, but it’s nice to see his stamina improving. He isn’t striking out as many batters as in years past, but he’s compensating for it by getting more ground ball outs. His 89-92 MPH fastball is his main weapon. He also has a low-t-mid-80s slider that used to get more swings and misses. His changeup is fringy, which is why I think he’ll eventually end up as a reliever.

8. Matt Magill, RHP (6, -2)

Started: Triple-A Albuquerque
Current location: Albuquerque

- The first prospect to fall from his preseason rank, Magill had an up-and-down season so far. He made him MLB debut, which was great. Other than that, he had a rough go at it in the majors. He’s handled the extreme hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League well enough. His fastball is an 88-92 MPH offering that touches 94 at times. His velocity hasn’t been the issue. His command has been bad this season, causing him to walk more hitters (28) than he’s struck out (26) in the majors. His slider is still his out pitch and sits in the low-80s. He also has a changeup that he should probably throw a little more and feel for a curveball.

9. Rob Rasmussen, LHP (22, +13)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Triple-A Albuquerque

- Rasmussen joined the Dodgers when they sent John Ely to the Astros during the winter. He began the season with the Lookouts before being promoted to Albuquerque last month. He has an 88-92 MPH fastball, a curveball, slider and changeup. His frame is such that it isn’t conducive to starting long-term, but he’s been great in the minors this season. He has an outside shot of contributing this season, but more likely next season. At worst, he's a middle reliever in the majors.

10. Chris Withrow, RHP (21, +11)

Started: Triple-A Albuquerque
Current location: Los Angeles Dodgers

- Withrow was converted to the bullpen late last season and that’s where he’ll remain. His mid-90s fastball that touches 98 MPH is his best weapon. He also has a swing-and-miss slider and he recently rediscovered his curveball, which could make him even more dangerous. He could be a fixture in the ‘pen going forward.

11. Onelki Garcia, LHP (7, -4)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga

- Garcia had a rough go early on, landing on the disabled list. He’s pitched primarily out of the bullpen, which is somewhat disappointing. The 23-year-old Cuban fireballer is posting an impressive 9.5 K/9, but he’s also walking 6.2 per nine innings, which hurts him as a starter in the long run. He still has a nasty low-90s fastball and upper-70s curveball. He also has a fringy changeup that he’ll need to develop if he wants to be a starter.

12. Jose Dominguez, RHP (23, +11)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Los Angeles Dodgers

- Dominguez had to serve a 25-game suspension to begin the season, but he’s been nails ever since. He earned a promotion from Double-A to Triple-A before the Dodgers recalled him to make his debut this season. He’s averaging 98.4 MPH on his fastball in the majors. He routinely touches triple digits with it and it’s by far the best fastball in the system. He also has a nasty-at-times slider and a surprisingly effective changeup. He has late-inning reliever stuff, it just remains to be seen if he can put it all together consistently.

13. Duke von Schamann, RHP (31, +18)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga

- The big right-hander has gone from system depth at starting pitcher to legitimate pitching prospect. He isn’t going to make a living by striking hitters out, but von Schamann possesses good control, a feel for pitching and an 88-91 MPH sinker that allows him to get plenty of grounds. He also has a feel for a slider and a changeup. He should remain at Chattanooga the rest of the season and possibly next season.

14. Yimi Garcia, RHP (19, +5)

Started: Double-A Chattanooga
Current location: Chattanooga

-  Garcia has established himself as the Lookouts’ closer and a potential bullpen option for the Dodgers in 2014. Garcia has a low-90s fastball and a slider that’s helped him accumulate an 11.6 K/9 this season. The 22-year-old has an impressive 6.5 K/BB rate, which should help him have a Major League career. He’s given up eight home runs this season after allowing five in his first four minor-league seasons, so that’s something to keep an eye on going forward.

15. Alex Castellanos, OF (12, -3)

Started: Triple-A Albuquerque
Current location: Albuquerque

- Castellanos has turned it on of late, but he’s probably nothing more than a fifth outfielder at this point (fourth at best). He has a quick bat, but no defined position. It finally seems the Dodgers have given up on him as an infielder, which is probably for the best. He probably won’t get a chance to show what he can do in the majors with the Dodgers, so a trade is probably his best bet for an MLB future.

16. Jesmuel Valentin, SS/2B (13, -3)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Pioneer League Ogden

- Valentin began his season at Great Lakes, which was aggressive. Since then, he’s been demoted to Ogden, which isn’t an indictment of his abilities. With Seager manning shortstop in Midland, it makes the most sense for Valentin to play every day in the Pioneer League. Valentin has struggled a bit this season, but he’s still showing good on-base ability. He’s also one of the best defensive players in the Dodgers’ system.

17. Jon Garcia, RF (48, +31)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga

- The third Garcia to check in, Jonathan began the season repeating the California League. He hit so well he was promoted to Double-A. With Blake Smith switching to the bullpen and Yasiel Puig being promoted to the majors, the Lookouts needed another outfielder. He’s only played 14 games, so it’s too early to tell how he’s truly handling advanced pitching. His play has catapulted him back into the prospect discussion. He has good raw power and a cannon for an arm in right field.

18. Scott Schebler, OF (37, +19)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga

- Schebler has been the biggest breakout of prospect in the system so far. Yes, he’s playing in the Cal League, but he’s also showing every facet of his game. He’s a solid defender in the corners, he’s hitting for power and showing some speed. He’s posting reverse platoon splits and doesn’t have that big a split when it comes to home and away games. He’s a guy to watch the rest of the season. The 22-year-old will need to prove his numbers just aren’t a product of his environment.

19. Darnell Sweeney, SS (18, -1)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga

- Sweeney hit for the cycle in a game during the first half, but he hasn’t been able to get over the “mediocre” hump so far. While he has the ability to play shortstop, he has committed 29 errors this season. He has a decent even arm and good range, so he could stick at short for awhile. He’s also hit better from the right side than the left. He might consider giving up switch-hitting if he doesn’t improve from the left side. His walk rate has fallen and his strike rate risen, which isn’t a good combination. Still, he’s a decent prospect who could improve in the second half.

20. Miguel Sulbaran, LHP (30, +10)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Great Lakes

- Overshadowed by Urias, the 19-year-old Sulbaran has posted solid numbers in his first full season at Great Lakes. He’s not the strikeout pitcher Urias is, but he records his fair share of outs. He’s 5’10, 185 pounds, so it remains to be seen if he can stick in the rotation. If not, he should be able to carve out a career as a left-handed reliever with an 88-91 MPH fastball, a low-70s curveball, a potentially plus changeup and a “show me” slider.

21. Jharel Cotton, RHP (43, +22)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Double-A Chattanooga

- Cotton, my choice for sleeper prospect back in January, had a nice showing with the Loons before being promoted to Double-A. Since being promoted, Cotton has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. His fastball is an 88-90 MPH that touches 92 MPH, a potentially plus changeup and a fringy slider. While his future likely lies in the ‘pen, the Dodgers shouldn’t give up on him as a starter just yet.

22. Alex Santana, 3B (28, +6)

Started: Pioneer League Ogden
Current location: Ogden

- It’s a small sample size, but Santana is off to a much better start to the 2013 season compared to the numbers he posted in 2012. His .907 OPS comes with the caveat that he’s playing in an extreme hitter’s haven, but he also has ability as a former second-round draft pick. Santana has big power potential, but also a lot of swing-and-miss. Still, he’s just 19 and in his third minor-league season. He should continue to improve even more.

23. Zachary Bird, RHP (14, -9)

Started: Low-A Great Lakes
Current location: Pioneer League Ogden

- Bird was a steal in the 2012 draft and was given an aggressive assignment in Low-A. However, Bird didn’t handle it too well, posting an ugly 7.7 BB/9. He was demoted to Ogden and hasn’t fared much better. He’s only 18, so there’s still plenty of time for him to figure things out. He still projects as starter going forward.

24. Noel Cuevas, CF/LF (NR)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga

- Cuevas was a surprise draft signee in 2011 and took a little while to break through, but he’s done so this season. While Cuevas doesn’t have a lot of power potential, he does everything else well. He has enough range to stick in center field and enough arm for the position. When I saw him in person in May, he was tracking down all sorts of fly balls as the Quakes’ center fielder. He also has plus speed, swiping 22 bases so far. The 21-year-old should see Chattanooga  in 2014.

25. O’Koyea Dickson, 1B (20, -5)

Started: High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Current location: Rancho Cucamonga

- Dickson hasn’t hit for as much power as expected (10 home runs), but he’s been nothing if not consistent for the Quakes this season. He does have 25 doubles, which is nice. While his strikeout rate has decreased from last season, so has his walk rate. As a guy who’s going to make the majors based solely on his bat, he needs to get that walk rate back to 10 percent while also increasing his slugging. He’s limited to first base defensively despite logging five games at third base and one in left field this season.

The next five (in alphabetical order): Cody Bellinger, Justin Chigbogu, Victor Gonzalez, Garrett Gould, Jarret Martin

Graduated: Yasiel Puig (2), Hyun-Jin Ryu (4), Paco Rodriguez (10), Tim Federowicz (26), Scott Van Slyke (44)
Dropped out of Top 25: Garrett Gould (9), Blake Smith (15), Andres Santiago (18), Jesus Valdez (24)
Moved into Top 25: Anderson (NR to 6), von Schamann (31 to 13), J. Garcia (48 to 17), Schebler (37 to 18), Sulbaran (30 to 20), Cotton (43 to 21), Santana (28 to 22), Cuevas (NR to 24)
Traded: Steve Ames (16), Angel Sanchez (36), Josh Wall (NR)
Biggest riser: J. Garcia (48 to 17)
Biggest faller: Smith (15 to 50)

This year's draft wasn't particularly strong, which is why only one player from the class made the midseason Top 25. The team traded three prospects, but none of them projected as more than relievers at the next level. This system is top-heavy and should get a boost from the international signings of the last two years.

Photo credits

Urias (courtesy): Nick Anderson, Great Lakes Loons
Anderson (courtesy): Ali Messick, Great Lakes Loons
All others: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 46 - Dodgers, Marmol, Ramirez, Pederson

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) talk about the Dodgers and their new winning ways. It's much more fun to talk and write about this team when things are going well.

The Dodgers swung a trade with the Cubs for Carlos Marmol (using Matt Guerrier), which doesn't sound great on the surface. However, the Dodgers got international spending money in the deal, which does sound great.

Jose Dominguez, despite a rough outing on Wednesday, made an impressive MLB debut on Sunday.

Hanley Ramirez is on fire and is carrying the team as much as Yasiel Puig is. Maybe it's time to start a campaign for him to go to New York for the All-Star Game.

Luis Cruz is now an ex-Dodger and, somehow, landed a 25-man roster spot with the Yankees.

Joc Pederson will represent the Dodgers at the Futures Game. He'll also go to the Southern League All-Star Game along with Yimi Garcia, Zach Lee, Hector Nelo, Ross Stripling, Luis Vazquez and Rafael Ynoa. Rob Rasmussen also got the nod, but he won't play in the game because he's in Triple-A.

Blake Smith is now a pitcher. I'm trying to get an interview with him to give us his reaction. He's struggled at the plate this season.

Plus, there's a draft and international signing update.

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Direct link
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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

Dodgers' Rob Rasmussen establishes himself as legitimate pitching prospect

John Ely burst onto the scene with the Dodgers in 2010. The team had acquired him and Jon Link from the White Sox for Juan Pierre. Elymania spawned and lasted for longer than anyone could have expected. But it ended seemingly as quickly as it began.

Fast forward nearly three years. Ely was coming off of a masterful performance in the Pacific Coast League in 2012. He was named the Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, an honor I never would have thought would go to a guy pitching half his games in Albuquerque. His performance, while great, wasn’t enough to keep him around. The Dodgers traded him to the Houston Astros for left-handed pitcher and Southern California native and former Dodger draftee Rob Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, 24, is making a mark of his own, as he’s been the Chattanooga Lookouts’ second-best pitcher (behind Zach Lee) this season.

Not a physically imposing pitcher, Rasmussen has a 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 7.1 H/9, 0.6 HR/9, 2.9 BB/9 and an 8.7 K/9 in eight starts with the Lookouts this season. That’s actually a really good line for a guy who had just 11 appearances in Double-A before this season.

Rasmussen has never been a big strikeout pitcher, averaging 7.3 per nine innings coming into the season. But Rasmussen has raised his rate by nearly 1.5 K/9 pitching in one of the more advanced leagues in the minors. That’s impressive. He’s also reduced his walk rate while also reducing his hits per nine innings rate. That’s a recipe for success.

Rasmussen is listed at 5’9, and that might be generous. Short pitchers don’t usually last in the rotation, and they usually do if they have elite arms (see: Martinez, Pedro). But Rasmussen is proving he’s more than just a future reliever.

He’s averaged 145 innings pitched in his first two full seasons. He’s on pace to best that this season. However, he’s only throwing 5.4 innings per start. He’ll need to increase that number going forward.

Being left-handed is an advantage for Rasmussen, as his stuff isn’t elite. He throws in the 89-92 MPH range that plays up due to his being left-handed. His two breaking balls are similarly matched. His curveball has a chance to be solid-average while his slider flashes plus potential. He also has a fringy changeup. Obviously, it’s all working for him in the Southern League so far.

Here’s what I wrote about Rasmussen (No. 22) in my preseason Dodgers’ Top 50 prospects list.

Rasmussen was acquired in December for John Ely, a net gain for the Dodgers and their farm system. Rasmussen was drafted in the 27th round of the 2007 draft by the Dodgers. He didn't sign and ended up attending UCLA. The Astros popped him in the second round of the 2010 draft and was traded in July for Carlos Lee. Despite being a small pitcher, he's started 53 of 60 career games in the minors. He reached Double-A Corpus Christi, where he didn't fare particularly well (4.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.07 FIP). Rasmussen has a four-pitch arsenal, featuring an 89-92 MPH fastball that touches 94, a slider that flashes plus potential, and a potentially average changeup and curveball. Like many lefties, he throws from a three-quarters arm angle. He also has a compact delivery. While he's likely destined for bullpen duty, there's no reason to pull Rasmussen from the rotation until he proves he can't handle it. He's definitely the exception, not the rule, when it comes to being big-bodied starting pitchers.

If he keeps it up, Rasmussen could be a much more significant prospect than many thought he was before – and after – the Dodgers signed. He’s teaming with Lee to form a nice 1-2 punch for the Lookouts as Chris Reed and Andres Santiago are struggling and Onelki Garcia is on the disabled list (and he wasn’t pitching well anyway).

The Dodgers went from Pierre to Ely (who is out after having Tommy John surgery) to Rasmussen. I’d say that’s a win for the Dodgers and Ned Colletti. The latter part of that sentence is something that is the exception, not the rule.

Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Uncle Charlie: Examining the best curveballs in the Dodgers' farm system

Uncle Charlie. No. 2. The Hammer. Public Enemy No. 1. The Deuce. No matter what you call it, the curveball is probably the most "famous" pitch in all of baseball. It's usually the first pitch taught to young players, even if it is hell on their elbows, and was the topic of a joke from the best baseball movie ever made: "Major League."

The curveball, however, appears to be less common among major leaguers -- at least in the Dodgers' system. Sure, Clayton Kershaw still has one of the best curves in the game and Chad Billingsley still throws it rather frequently.

When thrown well, it's still an effective offering (which can be said about any pitch). However, pitchers seem to be leaning toward the slider and the cut fastball.

The Dodgers have more than a few pitchers in the system who throw potentially plus curveballs, including three of my Top 11 prospects for 2013. It's actually refreshing to see.

Just a funny note: all the players on this list are starting pitchers. The curveball definitely appears to be more prevalent in starters.

Previous entries in this series

• Power
• Fastball
• Speed
• Slider
• Hitting 

This list is reserved for Dodger pitching prospects who feature 55 or better curveballs.

Zachary Bird
- Bird isn't the only 2012 draftee on this list, but his ceiling could be the highest of the three. He pairs his low-90s fastball with a classic mid-70s 12-to-6 curveball. It grades out as a plus pitch down the road. It'll be interesting to see how his curveball fares in the thin air of Ogden.



Onelki Garcia
- Garcia was awarded the best curveball in the system by Baseball America, and it isn't hard to see why. His upper-70s offering almost acts as a slider. It's a true out pitch and could be his ticket to a long Major League career. He made some hitters look foolish in his three-inning Double-A appearance, thanks in part to the curveball. He'll show how good the curveball can be in the Southern League.

Garrett Gould
- I rated Gould as having the system's best curveball. Right now, it's his best pitch. It has a true 12-to-6 break and sits in the 75-78 MPH range. He was able to get a lot of swing-throughs in his first year in the California League, and he'll go back there to refine his stuff.



Zach Lee
- Lee has a nice four-pitch repertoire, including a potentially plus curveball. He's flashed it at times, which has helped him earn praise from scouts and prospectors. It'll be interesting to see how his curveball develops going forward. It could end up being one of his best pitches, or he could ditch it all together.

Rob Rasmussen
-Rasmussen's curveball has helped him remain as a starting pitcher despite his small frame. It's his best pitch and pairs it with an average fastball (which plays up as a lefty). Rasmussen will join a crowded rotation in Chattanooga until he proves he can't handle it.



Ross Stripling
- Stripling is the third 2012 on this list and could end up being a fifth-round steal. With his increased fastball velocity, his curveball is even more important. It's his swing-and-miss pitch, though, his changeup (as he admits) could end up being a better pitch down the road.



One pitcher absent from this list is Chris Withrow. He used to boast the best curveball in the system, but he's all but scrapped it since moving to the bullpen full-time. It'll be interesting to see if he tries to bring it back if his slider doesn't work out.

Dodgers' full-season minor league team preview: Chattanooga Lookouts

This is the third in a four-part series projecting the Dodgers' full-season minor league teams. Up next, the Chattanooga Lookouts.

• Part 1 of 4: Great Lakes Loons
• Part 2 of 4: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Of all the Dodgers' minor league teams, this one should be the best. Once you see the roster, you'll see what I'm talking about.

The Lookouts were the only full-season Dodger minor league affiliate to make the postseason, thanks to a 41-29 second half.

Pederson

Chattanooga faced off against the Jackson Generals (Mariners), filled with a bevy of prospects (James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Mike Zunino, just to name a few). Jackson took the first two games of the series before an absolutely dominant pitching performance by Chattanooga gave the team its only playoff win. Jackson would take the series with in the next game.

Led by Nick Buss, Blake Smith and J.T. Wise, the Lookouts actually struggled a bit. They received some late-season reinforcements from Rancho Cucamonga in the form of C.J. Retherford and Bobby Coyle, but it wasn't enough to help the offense.

The pitching is where the Lookouts thrived. The team started the season with Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Magill, Ethan Martin and Allen Webster in the rotation. Unfortunately for the Lookouts, only Magill is still with the organization. The team did add Zach Lee, Chris Reed and Andres Santiago to bolster the staff late in the season -- all of whom are expected to be Lookouts for at least a portion of 2012.

The bullpen was great, with Geison Aguasviva, Steve Ames, Logan Bawcom (later traded), Red Patterson and Javier Solano leading the way.

Joc Pederson and Onelki Garcia made cameos in the playoffs and both could be two of the brightest starts on the squad.

The 2013 roster will be filled with all kinds of talent, including the $42-million man: Yasiel Puig.

Projected roster

O'Brien

Catchers (2)
Gorman Erickson
Christopher O'Brien

Infielders (6)
Joe Becker
Casio Grider
C.J. Retherford
Miguel Rojas
Angelo Songco
Scott Wingo

Outfielders (5)
Bobby Coyle
Omar Luna
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Kyle Russell

Lee

Starting pitchers (5)
Onelki Garcia
Zach Lee
Aaron Miller
Rob Rasmussen
Chris Reed

Relievers (7)
Ryan Acosta
Freddie Cabrera
Kelvin De La Cruz
Jose Dominguez
Eric Eadington
Jordan Roberts
Andres Santiago

Guys like Erickson  and Retherford could see promotions to Albuquerque, but there's a lot of players in line ahead of them. The offense looks like it could be strong, especially if Songco has a bounce-back season. The outfield will likely be formidable with some big-time prospects.

The pitching looks absolutely filthy. The rotation is headed by three of my top eight prospects, while Rasmussen could be a nice fit after his acquisition from Houston.

The bullpen probably won't be as good as it was last season, but Dominguez, after his 25-game suspension, should be the team's closer. Santiago, who has ability as a starter, is forced to the 'pen in favor of former supplemental first-round pick Miller. Those two are interchangeable in my eyes. Cruz could make the roster as a non-roster invite and gives the Lookouts three left-handers (along with Eadington and Roberts).

My lineup
Wingo 2B
Pederson LF
Puig CF
Songco 1B
Retherford 3B
Russell RF
Coyle DH
Erickson/O'Brien C
Grider SS

I don't think it's too likely Wingo leads off (hell, he might start with Rancho Cucamonga), but he has good on-base ability -- second only to Erickson in this lineup -- but there's no way Jody Reed (yes, that Jody Reed) bats his catcher leadoff. The 2-7 spots could be damn good, if everyone is clicking.

The rotation should be the team's bread and butter, as it has six legitimate starters and some highly ranked prospects.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers invite top prospects to Winter Development Program in Arizona

The Dodgers have invited 13 12 prospects to their annual Winter Development Program, which begins next week at Camelback Ranch.

The camp is usually held at Dodger Stadium, but as Ken Gurnick wrote, the stadium is undergoing major renovations, making it unavailable for use.

Position players (5 4)
Tim Federowicz
Jeremy Moore
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Matt Wallach

Pitchers (8)
Steve Ames
Onelki Garcia
Zach Lee
Matt Magill
Rob Rasmussen
Chris Reed
Paco Rodriguez
Chris Withrow

Last year's camp included players such as Rubby De La Rosa, Gorman Erickson, Alfredo Silverio, Shawn Tolleson and Allen Webster -- just to name a few.

This year's list is even more impressive. Aside from Wallach and the recently signed Moore (former member of the Angels' farm system), I couldn't be happier with those the Dodgers invited. Wallach and Withrow have attended three development programs prior to this, so they're seasoned veterans in that regard.

I'm particularly interested to see what Puig and Garcia take from the camp. They didn't get a lot of playing time in the minors this season, so they should benefit from the big club seeing the Cuban duo for an extended period of time..

Despite the inclusion of a couple 2012 draft picks (Garcia and Rodriguez), first-year draftees don't usually get the nod, which is why you don't see the likes of Corey Seager and Jesmuel Valentin invited. The camp focuses on players who are closer to or have already seen a little bit of time in the majors.

Speaking of Jeremy Moore...

Moore was signed to a minor-league contract by the Dodgers. The 25-year-old missed the entire 2012 season with a hip injury.

The Angels nabbed him in the sixth round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of North Caddo High School in Louisiana.

John Sickels of Minor League Ball had this to say from August 2011 about the toolsy outfielder:

"The 24-year-old Moore is a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, listed at 6-1, 190 pounds. His only weak physical tool is a substandard throwing arm, although this hasn't stopped the Angels from using him in right field frequently. He is very fast and can handle center field without difficulty. He'll make errors on defense, but his range is a major asset.

His speed also shows up on offense, particularly with the large number of triples he hits. He's exceeded double-digits in triples for four consecutive seasons. He is still refining his baserunning skills to go with the speed tool and isn't a terrific percentage stealer, although his ratios are improving. Unlike many speedy players, Moore has legitimate gap power and will knock occasional home runs.

Moore's biggest problem is plate discipline. His swing is mechanically sound, but he is overaggressive and seldom draws walks, hampering his OBP and reducing the value of his speed at the top of an order. A .299 batting average and .334 OBP aren't that impressive for Salt Lake and the Pacific Coast League, and with his current approach he would be hard-pressed to duplicate these numbers in the majors.

That said, Moore's toolset stands out, and his combination of speed, occasional power, and defensive ability is tempting. The flaws in his skills give him a high risk factor, but even a small amount of progress in his hitting approach could take him a long way."

It's pretty easy to see the lack of plate discipline with Moore's numbers. He has a 6.7 percent walk rate in 2,469 minor-league plate-appearances. And while he has speed (124 stolen bases), he isn't as successful as one may think (caught 63 times).

Moore showed good pop in the Angels' system, posting a career .473 slugging percentage. He has 92 doubles, 62 triples and 75 home runs for his career.

He compares favorably to former Dodger-now-Marlin prospect Alfredo Silverio. Their numbers are pretty similar (.292/.326/.479 to .277/.329/.473 for Moore), but Moore can legitimately handle center field.

Moore is likely slated for Albuquerque, where he figures to thrive (if he's fully recovered from the hip injury). While his plate discipline is concerning, his tools are intriguing.

Photo credits

Rodriguez: Courtesy of Eric Stephen, True Blue L.A.

Moore: Keith Allison, Flickr