Dodgers' third-round pick Brandon Dixon could have a future at 2B

The Dodgers chose an interesting college prospect in Brandon Dixon during the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Dixon had a poor sophomore season, but he had a resurgent junior season, causing the Dodgers to pop him in the third round.

Dixon, a third baseman at the University of Arizona, worked on his defense to become an adequate defender at the hot corner. But my first impression is the Dodgers chose him to play second base.

Jared Massey of Dodger Diamond had a chance to interview the third-round pick and he alluded to the idea of him at second.

"One of my greatest strengths would be my versatility. I can play just about anywhere on the field ..."

The biggest part of Dixon’s game that is lacking is power, which is something most third basemen need to stay at the position. He's a self-proclaimed contact and speed-type player, which profiles quite well at second base.

Dixon is a Southern California native who could move quickly through the system if he can either hit well enough to stick at third base or defend well enough to play second base. Second base isn't as much a defense-first position as it once was, so if he's just slightly better than a guy like Jeff Kent, he could have a long and distinguished career.

As a college junior, he isn't a 100 percent lock to sign, but I'd be shocked if he and the Dodgers don't come to an agreement.

If/when he signs, he'll likely begin the season with the Ogden Raptors with the chance to move up to Great Lakes rather quickly.

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The Dodgers officially announced on Wednesday the signings of sixth-rounder RHP Jacob Rhame and 26th-rounder RHP Thomas Taylor.

Also, fourth-rounder Cody Bellinger, perhaps my favorite pick in the top 10 rounds outside of Chris Anderson, has a deal in place. Apparently, he's had it in place since about 30 minutes before he was drafted.

RT @kyle_odegard: Cody Bellinger agreed to a deal with the Dodgers a half hour before the pick. Bypassing #Oregon, getting third-round money
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) June 7, 2013

So, that's good to hear. The prep first baseman drawn comparisons to Adam LaRoche and is extremely raw. He's thin as a rail, so he'll have to fill out to justify that comparison. He has good raw power and could have a solid hit tool going forward. His defense should be plus at the position.

Photo credit: Courtesy of University of Arizona Athletics

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 43 - Puig, Jansen, Urias, Seager, draft

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) talk about everything Dodgers from the previous week, but not about the chicken-shit antics of the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

Yasiel Puig is a God or something. He won National League Player of the Week and is just getting started.

Kenley Jansen has finally unseated Brandon League as the team's closer. I wonder if he'll have to do this every year?

Chris Withrow and Alex Castellanos were recalled, much to Jared's pleasure (especially Castellanos). Odds are, they won't help much.

The true phenom Julio Urias pitched again last night. He got roughed up a bit, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the statline looks (and it isn't horrible). Sticking in Great Lakes, we talk about Corey Seager and how he may or may not be hurt again. I also have an interview with Aaron Miller, who's transitioning from the mound to the field nicely so far.

We recap the 2013 MLB Draft. We're both good with the Chris Anderson pick, I rip the Tom Windle pick and we give a couple later-round picks we both like. Initial thoughts: this draft isn't as good as the Dodgers' 2012 draft.

Finally, we answer listener questions, which were plentiful this week. Please, keep them coming.

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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 sign Chris Anderson and Tom Windle for full slot, as well as others

The Dodgers inked first-round draft pick Chris Anderson to a $2,109,900 bonus, which was slot-recommended for the No. 18 selection.

Anderson signed less than a week after being drafted. The Dodgers inked 2012 first-rounder Corey Seager more than three weeks after drafting him last year and went over slot to do it.

Anderson, 20, boasts a 90-96 MPH fastball with sink, a potentially plus slider in the low-to-mid-80s and a changeup at the same velocity.

The Dodgers have officially signed just Anderson at this point. Word is second-rounder Tom Windle will sign for full slot. In fact, Baseball America's Jim Callis just confirmed it. Sixth-rounder Jacob Rhame tweeted and said he's officially signed. Eighth-rounder Kyle Farmer tweeted a photo of himself signing his contract and 12th-rounder Adam Law did the same.

It's unknown how much Rhame and Farmer received, but the Dodgers didn't save any money on their first two selections.

Expect a slew of signings in the coming days and weeks.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Perfect Game, via Jacksonville University athletics

Dodgers recall former top prospect Chris Withrow from Triple-A

The Dodgers recalled former first-round pick Chris Withrow on Tuesday to help a beleaguered bullpen.

Withrow was drafted with the 20th pick in the 2007 MLB Draft out of Midland Christian High School in Texas.

The Dodgers moved Withrow to the bullpen halfway through last season, and he's fared much better as a reliever than he was as a starter.

It's not good when a former first-round pitcher ends up being a reliever, but a least he has the ability to succeed.

His fastball sits in the mid-90s an has touched as high as 98 MPH. He also boasts a mid-80s slider that gets him a bunch of strikeouts.

Withrow used to have the system's best curveball, but he scrapped it late last season.

The 24-year-old has a 1.93 ERA, a 2.17 FIP and an 11.6 K/9 rate with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Walks have alway been Withrow'a bugaboo. He has a BB/9 of 5.0 in his career (4.6 this year). He'll need to keep that under control (no pun intended) to have success.

The Dodgers also recalled outfielder Alex Castellanos and optioned Justin Sellers back to Albuquerque.

After Brandon League shat the bed again last night, the Dodgers need some kind of change in the bullpen. I'm not saying Withrow is going to be the savior, but it couldn't hurt to give him a shot.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr