Los Angeles Dodgers Top 20 2016 PRE-SEASON prospects, mid-season review

Continuing with our mid-season organization reviews, we turn to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This is the PRE-SEASON LIST.

THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST.

THESE ARE PRE-SEASON GRADES.

Let's discuss the system and emergence of other prospects in the discussion section.

This list was originally published December 26, 2015.

1) Corey Seager, SS, Grade A: Hitting .301/.360/.528 with 17 homers in his major league rookie season; can't improve on that. Living up to the elevated expectations.

2) Julio Urias, LHP, Grade A: Dominating the minors again (1.07 ERA in the Pacific Coast League!), inconsistent in the majors (4.95 ERA, 44/17 K/BB in 36 innings, 39 hits) but a remarkable talent at the tender age of 19.

3) Jose De Leon, RHP, Grade A-/B+: Limited to 35 innings by injury but pitching well now, 3.06 ERA in Triple-A with 54/14 K/BB, 26 hits, looks ready for a trial in the majors soon.

4) Alex Verdugo, OF, Grade B+/B: Hitting .297/.367/.462 in Double-A with 11 homers, 28 walks, 45 strikeouts in 316 at-bats, highly impressive for age 20 at this level. Power is developing as hoped.

5) Frankie Montas, RHP, Grade B/B+: On DL to open season due to rib surgery; came back in May and pitched well (22/3 K/BB in 16 innings in high minors, 2.25 ERA) before returning to disabled list with more rib problems. A matter of health at this point; he looked excellent in his brief time on the mound this spring.

6) Cody Bellinger, 1B, Grade B:  Hitting .256/.348/.440 with 11 homers, 34 walks, 61 strikeouts in 250 at-bats in Double-A; scouting reports are more enthusiastic than the numbers which are solid rather than excellent; no need to rush him.

7) Yusniel Diaz, OF, Grade B: Age 19, signed out of Cuba last fall for $15,500,000 plus another $15,500,000 in international bonus pool overage tax. Hitting .253/.328/.376 with three homers, 20 walks, 38 strikeouts in 170 at-bats in High-A; showing good plate discipline but swing doesn't translate raw power into games yet.

8) Grant Holmes, RHP, Grade B: Performing very well in High-A, 3.39 ERA in 90 innings, 89/36 K/BB; still could use some command tightening but on course overall at age 20; curveball seems more reliable this year.

9) Willie Calhoun, 2B-OF, Grade B: Age 21, fourth round pick from Yavapai Junior College in 2015, hitting .259/.322/.482 with 19 homers, 30 walks, 48 strikeouts in 336 at-bats in Double-A; love the power combined with low strikeout rate; defense at second base remains rough but the bat looks very strong.

10) Austin Barnes, C, Grade B-:  Hitting .300/.383/.445 with 17 steals, 31 walks, 41 strikeouts in 247 at-bats in Triple-A; nothing left to prove in the minors at age 26 but no obvious place to play him; if I were a team needing a new catcher I would be burning up the phones trying to get this guy.

11) Jharel Cotton, RHP, Grade B-: 4.85 ERA in 85 innings in Triple-A but with 106/31 K/BB, 67 hits; ERA is misleading; K/IP and low hit rate more representative of his ability though he needs to get the walks down. Should be ready for a trial down the stretch.

12) Yadier Alvarez, RHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 19, another Cuban, signed for $16,000,000 plus another $16,000,000 fine, just getting started in rookie ball with 1.80 ERA, 26/10 K/BB in 20 innings in Arizona Rookie League, just nine hits allowed. Can hit mid/upper-90s; will need to follow progress of secondary pitches but can't complain about the early results.

13) Trayce Thompson, OF, Grade B-/C+: Hitting .225/.332/.436 in the majors with 13 homers, 26 walks, 66 strikeouts in 236 at-bats; very much in line with expectations: power, some walks, contact issues, low batting average, ability to play all three outfield positions.

14) Zach Lee, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Traded to Mariners in June; not having a great year in Triple-A with 5.44 ERA, 72/23 K/BB in 98 innings, 129 hits; throws strikes but just doesn't get the ball past enough people.

15) Micah Johnson, 2B, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .263/.311/.344 in Triple-A with 18 steals, 23 walks, 69 strikeouts in 320 at-bats; in a way something like a hitting version of Lee: Johnson has one strong skill/tool (speed) but just hasn't done enough other things to move into a job.

16) Chase De Jong, RHP, Grade C+/B-: 2.68 ERA in 104 innings in Double-A, 93/28 K/BB, 72 hits; hasn't received as much notice as guys like Urias or De Leon or even Cotton but impressing with fastball/curve/change combined with sharp command.

17) Chris Anderson, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent in High-A (1.64, 11/2 K/BB in 11 innings) but command issues in Double-A (5.97, 22/31 K/BB in 35 innings); relief looks like his role going forward if he can find the strike zone more often; stuff will certainly play well in pen.

18) Ross Stripling, RHP, Grade C+: 4.53 ERA in 46 major league innings, 34/18 K/BB, 44 hits; capable of better but has spent time on DL and may ultimately be trade bait.

19) Walker Buehler, RHP, Grade C+: Tommy John recovery.

20) Kyle Farmer, C, Grade C+: Hit .296/.344/.465 in 142 at-bats in Double-A while fighting injuries; older prospect at age 25 but has good track record as a hitter, can play third base in addition to providing adequate catching.


OTHER GRADE C+: Jordan Paroubeck, OF: Jacob Rhame, RHP; Jacob Scavuzzo, OF.

OTHERS OF NOTE: Imani Abdullah, RHP; Scott Barlow, RHP; Ralston Cash, RHP; Brendon Davis, INF; Caleb Dirks, RHP; Mitch Hansen, OF; Starling Heredia, OF; Nolan Long, RHP; Jacob Rhame, RHP; Josh Sborz, RHP; Andrew Sopko, RHP; Ronald Torreyes, INF; A.J. Vanegas, RHP

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Discuss!