Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers had what could be a successful middle of the draft, as they took a couple fliers on over-slot high school players. They also took five catchers in the 15 selections.
Here’s a list of each selection in rounds 11 through 25.
11(342). RHP Imani Abdullah, Madison HS (Calif.)
12(372). C Matthew Beaty, Belmont University
13(402). LHP Michael Boyle, Radford
14(432). C Garrett Kennedy, Miami (FL)
15(462). OF Garrett Zech, Naples HS (Fla.)
16(492). RHP Nolan Long, Wagner College
17(522). C Jason Goldstein, Illinois
18(552). 2B Chris Godinez, Bradley
19(582). C Joe Genord, Park Vista Community HS (Fla.)
20(612). RHP John Boushelle, Fayetteville HS (Ark.)
21(642). C Jake Henson, St. Louis
22(672). 2B Jordan Tarsovich, Virginia Military Institute
23(702). RHP Andrew Istler, Duke
24(732). RHP Cameron Palmer, Toledo
25(762). LHP Robert McDonnell, University of Illinois, Champaign
Let’s look at some of these future Dodgers. Maybe.
Imani Abdullah
The San Diego native was a solid selection in the 11th round. While Keith Law said he doesn’t have a lot of arm speed, he has nice bit of potential. First of all, he’s a big kid (6’4, 200 pounds), so right away, he has the look of a starting pitcher. He has a slower wind-up than other pitchers in the fact that it’s more deliberate. I don’t think he’ll ever be accused of rushing it. The ball comes out of his hand a little “weird.” I’m having a hard time describing it. It’s almost like he holds onto the ball just a split-second too long and the ball just jumps out of his hand from an over-the-top arm slot. It’s an inconsistent delivery that doesn’t fully incorporate his lower half. With his frame, he should be using it all and getting good extension to make his pitches more effective. He should have that cleaned up if he signs. His fastball is undeveloped, as he only throws it in the 88-89 MPH range. It has a little arm-side run to it, but he loses a couple of ticks when he sinks it. He also has a loopy curveball in the 72-74 MPH range that is a bit too identifiable out of the hand. He also has a high-70s/low-80s changeup that needs some work.
He’s really raw, as a lot of non-top high school pitchers are. He has a full ride to San Diego State, so his signing isn’t a lock. But if the Dodgers offer him a $200,000-$400,000 bonus, I’m betting he signs. He has the frame to add velocity, and I’d be somewhat surprised if he doesn’t.
Matthew Beaty
The first catcher of the 2015 draft, the Dodgers grabbed Beaty. The stock left-handed hitting catcher has a little pop. He has an extremely open stance and prominent bat waggle (not Gary Sheffield-esque, but it’s definitely there). Speaking of Sheffield, Beaty actually homered off his nephew when Belmont played Vanderbilt earlier this season. Fun! Beaty will be a cheap sign for organizational depth.
Michael Boyle
Boyle was No. 132 on Baseball America’s Top 500 list. He has an 88-91 MPH fastball that touches 93. He also has a changeup as his best secondary pitch and a breaking ball. His delivery is deceptive and he has decent command. He sounds like a decent relief prospect. He got Cardinals’ 23rd-rounder Gio Brusa (from the University of the Pacific who fell due to injury concern) to ground out in the Cape Cod League last summer.
Garrett Kennedy
The second of five catchers, Kennedy was the primary backstop at “The U.” He’s 6’1, 210 pounds, so he has a solid frame for a catcher. He’s a lefty swinger with a decent feel for hitting and some chops behind the plate. He’s a senior, so he’ll sign and provide some organizational depth.
(Go to 1:33 mark)
Garrett Zech
This is the highest-upside pick the Dodgers made outside of 2nd-rounder Mitchell Hansen. Zech was the second-fastest 60-yard dash at 6.39 seconds at the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic. That is 75-grade speed, which is elite. Fun fact: Dodgers’ July 2 traget Lucius Fox, Jr., was third-fastest at 6.41 seconds.
So, why did he fall to the 15th round?
Still get to say I was drafted! Thank the Lord! Go Dodgers! #usfbound
— Garrett Zech (@GarrettZech) June 10, 2015
.@NaplesHigh Garrett Zech declines @Dodgers offer, will play for @USFBaseball (per @joey_cranney) #PrepZone http://t.co/6FW0CavxpO
— J. Scott Butherus (@JScottButherus) June 10, 2015
Well then. Good luck in school, Mr. Zech.
Nolan Long
Long is tall — 6’10, to be precise. /insert obligatory “Long-tall joke here.” Naturally, he’s on the Wagner College basketball team. Ranked No. 130 on BA’s Top 500, he’s just a sophomore, so he has a little leverage in negotiations. He was drafted previously by the Giants in the 38th round (2012), but he still wanted to play basketball. It remains to be seen whether he’s going to sign. He has a low-90s fastball that touches 95 MPH and a breaking ball. Despite his height, he repeats his delivery relatively well (reminds me slightly of Jamey Wright) and has an outside shot at starting in the pro ranks. He’ll need to improve his command, though.
Jason Goldstein
Here’s the third catcher the Dodgers selected, and it sounds like he might have the best chance of making the majors due to his intangibles.
Jason Goldstein was called "one of the best catchers in the country," by opposing coach. Valued for game-calling, leadership and has pop.
— Vince Lara-Cinisomo (@vincelara) June 10, 2015
Pretty high praise for a 17th-rounder. Then again, A.J. Ellis was an 18th-round selection, so anything is possible. Goldstein looks like he’s tries to do some framing, so it’s nice to see he’s aware of its value. He should have no problem sticking behind the plate at 6’1, 210 pounds. And, as the tweet says, has some pop. He won’t be much of a threat offensively, so most of his value will come on defense.
Chris Godinez
First of all, solid name. The “God” part really allows the “inez” to play up. He’s a redshirt junior and doesn’t absolutely have to sign, but odds are he isn’t going to get drafted any higher than this come next year. He had a .505 on-base percentage with Bradley, which is obviously sustainable in the pro ranks. He has athleticism (see video) and can run. At best, he’s a utility infielder, but more likely, he’s organizational depth.
Joe Genord
The only prep catcher selected by the Dodgers came in the form of Genord. The first video I found was him participating in a home run derby. I know it’s like batting practice, but it was surprisingly impressive. He has a quick bat and some power potential. He’s 6’2, 200 pounds, which is a really good size for a power-hitting catcher. It looks like he played first- and third base in high school, and with the Dodgers’ new-found affinity for versatility, it isn’t surprising they may have drafted a conversion prospect. He’s committed to South Florida and it’s still unsure if he’ll sign with the Dodgers.
John Boushelle
Another late-round prep player. There isn’t a ton of information on this fella, other than he’s 6’6, 200 pounds and struck out 44 in 37 2/3 innings this season for Fayetteville. He reportedly has a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper-80s, a curveball and a changeup. With his frame, he should be able to add velocity if he signs. He’s committed to Kansas State.
Jake Henson
The string of Dodger catcher draftees (in the middle rounds) ends here with Henson. He has a little pop, but like many later-round draftees, he’s org depth. As a junior, he doesn’t have to sign, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t.
Jordan Tarsovich
A military man, Tarsovich was a Cape Cod League All-Star in 2014 and had a 3-run double in the game. That’s really about all the information I could find on him.
Andrew Istler
Istler looks like a 2-pitch pitcher, as he throws a fastball that has some arm-side run and a slurve breaking ball. The loop makes me want to call it a curve, but the velocity reads slider. So, slurve it is. He should sign and be — everyone together — organizational depth!
Cameron Palmer
Palmer was No. 339 on BA’s Top 500, so grabbing him with the 732nd pick is a good value (if there’s such a thing after the 10th round). He has a low-90s fastball and a fringy breaking ball. He has poor command/control and tries to get grounders with his fastball. As a redshirt senior, he’s a sure-sign.
Rob McDonnell
McDonnell is a left-handeder who started a lot in college but projects as a reliever at the next level.
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I’ll finish up with picks 26 through 40 (hopefully) over the weekend.
