2019 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: 40-31

Dustin Nosler 02/06/2019 Prospect Rankings Leave A Comment

Starling Heredia (Photo: Stacie Wheeler)

Here’s the third set of Top 100 Dodgers prospects rankings. The names are getting more and more familiar, with some former Top 30 guys included here.

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Previously

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I’ve included Future Value (FV) grades and risks for the Top 50 prospects. For example, if a guy gets a “50 low,” he has a really good chance to be an average player at his position. If a guy gets a “55 high,” there’s a good chance he won’t reach that ceiling, but the potential is there. The grades are 20-80 (50 is average), and the risks are as follows:

Low: Players who are usually older, have debuted, are relievers and/or have higher floors than ceilings
Medium: Players who are a mix of younger and older, usually have higher floors
High: Players who are usually younger with potential, but also question marks
Extreme: Players who are younger with star potential, but a ton of question marks

This is to show what value a player might provide at the MLB level. The higher the risk, the less likely a player will reach that ceiling.

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Editor’s Note: I am not a scout (#notascout). I am an amateur when it comes to evaluating players. I don’t claim to be a pro, I just want to pass along the information I observe/obtain to the people. Notes and comments are based on personal observation, talking to sources, reading scouting reports and watching video. For future entries in this series: All ratings in the charts below are on the standard 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is roughly average, 80 is elite and nearly unattainable and 20 is unacceptably poor. Enjoy.

Other notes: “Role” is a realistic future role (slightly optimistic in some cases). Age is the 2019 season age for the player (June 30 is the cutoff date).

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40. OF Starling Heredia

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
5’11	245	20	Power	IFA: Dominican, July ’15	4th OF/2nd-division starter	Low-A Great Lakes	2022

Strengths

Plus-raw power
Surprisingly athletic for his frame
Good bat speed

Weaknesses

Lots of swing-and-miss
Sub-.600 OPS in 330 A-ball plate appearances
Conditioning

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	30	40
Power	40	55
Speed	50	45
Defense	45	50
Arm	45	45
FV/Risk	50	Extreme

39. RHP Melvin Jimenez

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
5’10	187	19	Fastball	IFA: Dominican, Dec. ’15	Multi-or late-inning RP	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2021

Strengths

Legit fastball velo (93-95 MPH, t97)
Curveball has flashed plus
Quick arm

Weaknesses

Command/control inconsistent
Lacking consistent third- and fourth pitches
Slight frame

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	40	60
Curevball	40	60
Slider	30	45
Changeup	30	40
Cmd/Ctrl	40	45
Delivery	45	50
FV/Risk	50	High

38. 3B Alex De Jesus

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’2	185	17	Power	IFA: Dominican, July ’18	Above-avg starting 3B	DSL Dodgers	2024

Strengths

Broad shoulders that could translate to plus-power
Projection remaining
Strong arm

Weaknesses

Raw
Inexperienced
Volatile, because he’s literally 16 (until March)

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	30	50
Power	30	55
Speed	40	45
Defense	40	50
Arm	45	55
FV/Risk	55	Extreme

37. RHP Braydon Fisher

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’4	180	18	Fastball	4th round, ’18	Mid-rotation SP	Rookie Ogden	2023

Strengths

Good fastball velocity (low-90s) with a chance to add
Slider misses bats
Projectable frame

Weaknesses

Changeup is lagging behind other pitches
Command/control needs work
Lacking experience

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	60
Slider	40	55
Changeup	35	50
Cmd/Ctrl	35	50
Delivery	40	50
FV/Risk	55	Extreme

36. RHP Parker Curry

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
5’9	190	25	Changeup	Undrafted FA, ’16	Multi-inning RP	Double-A Tulsa	2020

Strengths

Fastball velo solid for size (low-90s, t94 MPH)
Changeup a real weapon vs. LHH
Quick arm gives life to fastball

Weaknesses

Home run prone
Command/control wavers
Reverse platoon splits

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	50
Slider	40	45
Changeup	45	55
Cmd/Ctrl	40	45
Delivery	50	50
FV/Risk	45	High

35. SS/2B Errol Robinson

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
5’9	179	24	Defense	6th round, ’16	Utility infielder	Triple-A Oklahoma City	2020

Strengths

One of the best infield defenders in the system
Above-average speed
High baseball IQ

Weaknesses

Very little in-game power (despite career-high 10 HR)
Limited ceiling
Struggles with premium stuff

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	40	45
Power	35	35
Speed	55	55
Defense	55	60
Arm	50	50
FV/Risk	40	Medium

34. RHP Jesus Vargas

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’3	187	20	Cmd/Ctrl	IFA: Venezuela, Dec. ’14	No. 4/5 SP/MR	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2022

Strengths

Good movement on fastball (89-92 MPH, t96)
Advanced command/control
Projectable frame

Weaknesses

Off-speed pitches lacking
Fastball hasn’t ticked up yet
Too hittable at times

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	50
Curveball	40	50
Changeup	35	45
Cmd/Ctrl	45	55
Delivery	45	55
FV/Risk	50	High

33. RHP Jerming Rosario

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’1	175	17	Arm	IFA: Dominican, July ’18	Mid-rotation SP	DSL Dodgers	2023

Strengths

Projectable frame
Fast arm action helps fastball play up (and could add velo in future)
Great makeup

Weaknesses

Lacking ideal size (still young)
Present fastball velo isn’t great (88-91 MPH)
Inconsistent curveball

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	35	55
Curveball	30	45
Changeup	35	55
Cmd/Ctrl	40	55
Delivery	40	50
FV/Risk	55	Extreme

32. OF Carlos Rincon

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’2	215	21	Power	IFA: Dominican, July ’15	4th OF/2nd division starter	Double-A Tulsa	2021

Strengths

Great raw and in-game power
Solid frame
Strong arm

Weaknesses

Contact issues (but improving K rate)
Struggles against advanced pitching
Lacking in speed department

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	35	45
Power	45	60
Speed	40	40
Defense	40	50
Arm	50	55
FV/Risk	45	High

31. RHP Jordan Sheffield

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
5’11	184	24	Fastball	1st round (supp.), ’16	Multi- or late-inning RP	Double-A Tulsa	2020