2021 Dodgers Top 50 Prospects: 40-31

Brandon Lewis. Photo by: Cody Bashore

We’re into the Top 40, and you’re going to see some of familiar names, but also some new ones. There’s a non-zero chance all these guys make it to the majors one day.

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Previous Entries

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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 generally 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 (though, not this year), 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 2021 season age for the player (June 30 is the cutoff date).

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40. 3B/1B Cristian Santana

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’221124DefenseIFA: Dominican, ’14Backup CIFDouble-A Tulsa/Triple-A OKC2021

Strengths

  • Potential plus-defense at third base
  • Above-average power
  • Elite bat speed

Weaknesses

  • Aggressiveness limits potential
  • Trouble elevating
  • Could struggle against advanced pitching
ToolPresentFuture
Hit3545
Power5055
Speed4540
Defense5055
Arm7070
FV/Risk40Extreme

39. RHP Osvanni Gutierrez

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’218019FastballIFA: Cuba, ’19Back-end SPAZL Dodgers2024

Strengths

  • Uptick in velo (90-93 MPH)
  • Potentially plus-changeup
  • Impressed at instructional league

Weaknesses

  • Still raw on mound
  • Breaking ball lagging behind Cer offerings
  • Lacking experience
ToolPresentFuture
Fastball3555
Curveball2550
Changeup3555
Command/Control3055
Delivery4050
FV/Risk40Extreme

38. RHP Hyun-il Choi

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’220021FastballIFA: South Korea, ’19No. 4/5 SPLow-A Rancho Cucamonga2023

Strengths

  • Fastball slightly above-average velo with movement
  • Deceptive delivery
  • Advanced command/control for age

Weaknesses

  • Physically maxed out
  • Lacks true out pitch
  • Limited ceiling
ToolPresentFuture
Fastball4055
Slider3550
Changeup3550
Command/Control4055
Delivery4050
FV/Risk40High

37. SS/3B Leonel Valera

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’220021ArmIFA: Venezuela, ’15Utility IFHigh-A Great Lakes2023

Strengths

  • Above-average power potential
  • Strong arm at both SS/3B
  • Above-average runner for size

Weaknesses

  • Hit tool lacking
  • Plate discipline a problem
  • Lack of upper-level experience
ToolPresentFuture
Hit2540
Power3050
Speed5555
Defense3550
Arm6060
FV/Risk40Extreme

36. LHP Alex Vesia

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’120925ChangeupTrade w/ MIA Feb. ’216th/7th inningTriple-A OKC/LADebuted 2020

Strengths

  • Changeup misses bats
  • Unique fastball
  • Slider has potential

Weaknesses

  • Rocked in MLB debut
  • Undersized, but not dissimilar from other Dodger LHPs
  • Command/control needs work
ToolPresentFuture
Fastball5055
Slider4545
Changeup6060
Command/Control4045
Delivery4545
FV/Risk40High

35. 3B/1B Brandon Lewis

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’322022Power4th round, ’192nd-division CIFHigh-A Great Lakes2023

Strengths

  • Light-tower power
  • Makes a lot of contact
  • Untapped potential

Weaknesses

  • Might not be a 3B (arm and mobility)
  • Adrian Gonzalez-esque runner
  • Conditioning needs monitoring
ToolPresentFuture
Hit4055
Power4560
Speed3025
Defense3545
Arm4045
FV/Risk40High

34. 2B/3B Devin Mann

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’320224Hit5th round, ’18Utility IFDouble-A Tulsa/Triple-A OKC2022

Strengths

  • Good bat-to-ball skills
  • Serviceable defensively at 2B/3B
  • Untapped power

Weaknesses

  • Limited ceiling
  • Power late developing
  • Not much of a runner
ToolPresentFuture
Hit4550
Power3550
Speed4540
Defense4550
Arm5050
FV/Risk40High

33. OF/1B Zach Reks

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’219027Hit10th round, ’174th OF/LH PHTriple-A OKC/LA2021

Strengths

  • Hit tool above-average
  • Improved power potential
  • Good plate discipline

Weaknesses

  • Limited defensively
  • Older for a prospect
  • Power will determine value
ToolPresentFuture
Hit4550
Power4550
Speed4545
Defense4545
Arm4545
FV/Risk40Medium

32. RHP Nick Robertson

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’724022Fastball7th round, ’19Late-inning RPHigh-A Great Lakes/Double-A Tulsa2022

Strengths

  • Borderline plus-plus fastball velo (mid-90s, max 98 MPH)
  • Hammer curveball misses bats
  • Could move quickly

Weaknesses

  • No third pitch
  • Command/control still big question mark
  • Short track record
ToolPresentFuture
Fastball6070
Curveball5560
Command/Control3040
Delivery3045
FV/Risk40High

31. C Jesus Galiz

HeightWeightAgeBest ToolAcquiredRole2021 LocationETA
6’018317HitIFA: Venezuela, ’21Starting CatcherDSL Dodgers/AZL Dodgers2026

Strengths

  • High baseball IQ
  • Above-average contact ability
  • Strong arm

Weaknesses

  • Undersized (but could still grow)
  • Power potential, but not there yet
  • No pro experience
ToolPresentFuture
Hit2555
Power2050
Speed4540
Defense3060
Arm4560
FV/Risk45Extreme

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Next Up: Prospects 30-21

About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.