Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
This is the second installment of my Dodgers’ draft Big Board. There have been some changes, especially near the top. Expect two more of these before the draft in 13 days.
My Big Board, v 2.0
1. OF Heliot Ramos, Alfonso Casta Martinez HS (P.R.)
2. OF Jordon Adell, Ballard HS (Ky.)
3. LHP David Peterson, Oregon
4. OF Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen HS (Ala.)
5. 1B/OF Evan White, Kentucky
6. RHP Griffin Canning, UCLA
7. RHP Tanner Houck, Missouri
8. RHP Tristan Beck, Stanford
9. 3B/SS Mark Vientos, American Heritage HS (Fla.)
10. SS Logan Warmoth, North Carolina
11. RHP Corbin Martin, Texas A&M
12. LHP Brendon Little, State JC of Florida-Manatee
13. RHP Hans Crouse, Dana Hills HS (Calif.)
14. RHP Alex Lange, LSU
15. 3B/1B Jake Burger, Missouri State
Ramos retains the top spot because of his intriguing blend of power and speed. He’s a high-risk, high-reward draft prospect.
Adell is a new addition to the list. I had him at No. 7 before I published, but switched him out because a certain podcast partner of mine was convinced he wouldn’t make it to No. 23. He might not, but it wouldn’t be crazy if he did. His power-speed combo is slightly different than Ramos’, but it’s even more intriguing.
Peterson makes a big jump, especially after writing him up. He’s a polished pitcher and has a couple of premium pitches. The way he finishes his pitches is reminiscent of Barry Zito.
Thompson is yet another athletic prep outfielder whose tools are of great interest to scouts. He’s one of the best athletes available early on and would be a nice get at 23.
White, along with Thompson, have been called “chief Dodger targets” by Baseball America’s John Manuel. They’re different players, but they’re among the most athletic players in the prep and college ranks.
Canning actually outdueled Peterson on Thursday in Oregon. He showed advanced pitchability and a plus-curveball. If the Dodgers go the college pitcher route, he’s one of the better ones they could nab.
Houck’s comp to Max Scherzer is apt and it’s hard to look beyond it. He might end up in the bullpen, but he has premium stuff and the physicality to be a starter.
Beck is a draft-eligible sophomore who doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but his command/control profile is advanced and should play in the pros. He has a little projection remaining, so perhaps there’s some velocity still left for him to tap into.
Vientos’ projectabiltiy is what’s going to get him drafted in the first or second round. He should hit for at least average power, and there’s a chance he could hit for more than that.
Warmoth is one of the best college shortstops available. He projects to stay there on defense and have an above-average hit tool. He also has above-average speed.
Martin’s profile is that of a mid-rotation starter. His fastball and curveball are his best pitches, while his slider and changeup aren’t half-bad. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had some helium in the last two weeks before the draft.
Little is one of the best junior college pitchers available. His curveball is his best offspeed pitch that he pairs with a borderline plus-plus fastball. He could also be a late-riser.
Crouse is still the lone prep pitcher on this list. His stuff is good, but the more and more I hear/read, it seems the Dodgers are going to stay away from the high school arms with their first pick.
Lange will get a profile written about him because he seems like the prototypical Dodger first-round pick. I’m not convinced he’ll develop his changeup enough to be a starter long-term. If he does, he’ll be well worth the 23rd selection.
Burger dropped in my rankings because I’m not sure he’ll make it to No. 23 anyway and the Dodgers appear to be leaning toward a higher-upside player. But he’s one of the most polished college hitters available and would be a solid selection.
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The Dodgers are, no doubt, going to come away with a good prospect at No. 23. Who that player is remains to be seen. The smart money is on Thompson or White at this point.
