2019 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: 40-31

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

• Introduction
• Past Underrated Prospects
• 100-51
• 50-41

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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

Strengths

• Premium fastball velo (93-95 MPH, t-high-90s)
• Swing-and-miss changeup
• Could progress quickly after move to bullpen

Weaknesses

• High-effort delivery
• Missed time in ’18 with strained forearm
• Command/control severely lagging

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

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Next Up: Prospects 30-21