2019 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: 50-41

Leo Crawford (Photo: Stacie Wheeler)

Sorry for the delay. Here’s the second entry to the Top 100 Dodger prospects for 2019. This is a little different than I had intended, so there will be another post just like this looking at prospects 40-31 tomorrow.

——

Previously

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.

——

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).

——

50. RHP Shea Spitzbarth

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’0 197 24 Fastball Undrafted FA ’15 6th/7th inning Triple-A Oklahoma City 2019

Strengths

  • Solid command/control profile
  • Misses MiLB bats
  • Fungible

Weaknesses

  • No true out pitch
  • Home run prone
  • Limited ceiling
Tools Now Future
Fastball 45 45
Curveball 50 50
Changeup 40 45
Cmd/Ctrl 45 50
Delivery 50 50
FV/Risk 40 Low

49. LHP Leo Crawford

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’0 180 22 Changeup IFA: Nicaragua, July ’14 No. 5 SP/swing Double-A Tulsa 2020

Strengths

  • Limits home runs
  • Flashes plus-changeup
  • Fared well in hitter-friendly league

Weaknesses

  • Fringe fastball velo
  • Slurve needs refinement
  • Limited ceiling
Tools Now Future
Fastball 45 45
Slurve 40 45
Changeup 50 55
Cmd/Ctrl 45 50
Delivery 45 50
FV/Risk 45 Medium

48. CF Brayan Morales

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’1 170 23 Speed 15th round, ’16 4th OF High-A Rancho Cucamonga 2022

Strengths

  • Blazing speed (in field and on bases)
  • Legit center fielder
  • Athletic

Weaknesses

  • Contact issues
  • Little power
  • Struggles vs. LHP
Tools Now Future
Hit 30 45
Power 25 30
Speed 70 70
Defense 50 60
Arm 45 50
FV/Risk 45 High

47. LHP Adam McCreery

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’9 250 26 Fastball Trade w/ ATL, Nov. ’18 MR/LH specialist Triple-A Oklahoma City/LA 2018

Strengths

  • Heavy, sinking fastball
  • Allowed 2 HR in 189 2/3 MiLB innings
  • Misses bats

Weaknesses

  • Command/control is poor
  • Non-existent changeup
  • Less effective vs. RHH
Tools Now Future
Fastball 55 55
Slider 45 50
Changeup 20 30
Cmd/Ctrl 35 40
Delivery 35 45
FV/Risk 45 High

46. RHP Nolan Long

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’9 259 25 Fastball 16th round, ’15 6th/7th inning Double-A Tulsa 2020

Strengths

  • Slight uptick in fastball velo (tops out in low-90s)
  • Breaking ball flashes above-average
  • Limits home runs

Weaknesses

  • Command/control needs improvement
  • Lacking third pitch
  • No projection remaining
Tools Now Future
Fastball 45 50
Slider 45 50
Changeup 25 40
Cmd/Ctrl 40 45
Delivery 40 45
FV/Risk 45 High

45. RHP Jose Chacin

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’5 184 22 Slider IFA: Venezuela, Sept. ’15 Back-end SP High-A Rancho Cucamonga 2021

Strengths

  • Swing-and-miss slider
  • Projectable frame
  • Pitchability

Weaknesses

  • Fringe fastball velo (tops out 92 MPH)
  • Changeup needs refinement
  • Lack of experience vs. advanced hitters
Tools Now Future
Fastball 35 45
Slider 40 55
Changeup 30 45
Cmd/Ctrl 45 55
Delivery 45 50
FV/Risk 45 High

44. RHP Guillermo Zuniga

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’5 230 20 Fastball IFA: Colombia, Dec. ’17 No. 3/4 SP Low-A Great Lakes 2022

Strengths

  • Good mechanics, loose delivery, big frame
  • Fastball movement (sink)
  • Changeup could be out pitch

Weaknesses

  • Fringe fastball velo (89-91 MPH; but more there)
  • Inconsistent slider
  • Present command/control lacking
Tools Now Future
Fastball 40 50
Slider 30 45
Changeup 40 55
Cmd/Ctrl 35 45
Delivery 45 55
FV/Risk 50 Extreme

43. OF Donovan Casey

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’2 190 23 Arm 20th round, ’17 4th OF Double-A Tulsa 2021

Strengths

  • Plus-plus athleticism
  • Plenty of arm for RF
  • Bat speed

Weaknesses

  • Doesn’t use speed well on base paths
  • Fringe power
  • Contact issues
Tools Now Future
Hit 35 45
Power 35 45
Speed 50 55
Defense 45 50
Arm 50 60
FV/Risk 45 High

42. 3B Jefrey Souffront

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’0 210 22 Hit IFA: Dominican, July ’15 Utility IF Low-A Great Lakes 2022

Strengths

  • Chance for good contact numbers
  • Experience at all infield positions
  • Limits swing-and-miss

Weaknesses

  • Lacking power
  • Never played full-season ball
  • Physically maxed out
Tools Now Future
Hit 40 50
Power 30 40
Speed 40 45
Defense 40 50
Arm 45 50
FV/Risk 45 High

41. LHP Darien Nunez

Height Weight Age Best Tool Acquired Role 2019 Location ETA
6’2 205 26 Fastball IFA: Cuba, April ’18 7th/8th inning High-A Rancho Cucamonga 2020

Strengths

  • Solid FB velo from left side (90-92 MPH, t95)
  • Good curveball
  • Could move quickly

Weaknesses

  • Command/control needs refinement
  • Little projection
  • Fringy changeup
Tools Now Future
Fastball 45 55
Curveball 45 50
Changeup 35 45
Cmd/Ctrl 40 50
Delivery 45 50
FV/Risk 50 High

——

Next Up: Prospects 40-31

About Dustin Nosler

Avatar photo
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.