2020 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: 40-31

Sorry for the delay, but we were on extreme Mookie Betts watch for the last week-plus. Now, it’s back to prospects.

The names are becoming more recognizable, including a former 1st-rounder, a couple of 2019 draftees and a player just reacquired in the Kenta Maeda deal.

——

Previous Entries

• Introduction
• 100-51
• 50-41

——

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.

——

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 2020 season age for the player (June 30 is the cutoff date).

——

40. SS/2B Leonel Valera

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’3	183	20	Arm	IFA: Venezuela, ’15	Utility IF	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2023

Strengths

• Strong arm plays at SS/3B
• Above-average runner
• Improving right-handed bat

Weaknesses

• Power still questionable
• Swing-and-miss concerns
• Might not stick at SS

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	35	45
Power	30	45
Speed	50	55
Defense	40	50
Arm	55	55
FV/Risk	45	High

39. 3B/1B Brandon Lewis

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’3	215	21	Power	4th round, 2019	2nd-division CIF	Low-A Great Lakes/High-A Rancho	2022

Strengths

• Premium power from right side
• Good bat-to-ball skills
• Makes loud contact

Weaknesses

• Defense/arm fringy at 3B
• No threat on basepaths
• Conditioning needs to be monitored

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	40	50
Power	45	60
Speed	30	25
Defense	35	45
Arm	40	45
FV/Risk	45	High

38. LHP Victor Gonzalez

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’0	180	24	Fastball	IFA: Mexico, July ’12	Middle reliever/LH specialist	Triple-A OKC/Los Angeles	2020

Strengths

• Fastball velo jumped to mid-90s
• Potentially above-average changeup and slider
• Compact delivery

Weaknesses

• Inconsistent MiLB career
• Undefined role (starter/reliever?)
• Injury history

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	55	55
Slider	45	50
Changeup	50	55
Command/Control	45	50
Delivery	45	50
FV/Risk	45	Medium

37. RHP Jordan Sheffield

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
5’11	184	25	Fastball	1st round (supp.), ’16	6th/7th inning	Double-A Tulsa/Triple-A OKC	2021

Strengths

• Plus-fastball velocity (sits mid-90s, tops out in high-90s)
• Changeup true out pitch
• Difficult to hit

Weaknesses

• Slider inconsistent
• Command/control may never come
• High-effort delivery; past injury concerns

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	50	60
Slider	40	45
Changeup	50	55
Command/Control	35	40
Delivery	40	40
FV/Risk	45	High

36. RHP Guillermo Zuniga

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’5	230	21	Fastball	IFA: Colombia, ’17	No.4/5 SP, power RP	High-A RC/Double-A Tulsa	2022

Strengths

• Plus-fastball in mid-90s; low-90s sinker
• Good mechanics, easy delivery
• Changeup has splitter tendencies

Weaknesses

• Slider lacking consistency
• Command/control needs improving
• Stuff plays better out of bullpen

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	45	60
Slider	45	50
Changeup	40	50
Command/Control	40	45
Delivery	40	45
FV/Risk	50	High

35. RHP Josh Sborz

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’3	218	26	Fastball	CB Round B, ’15	6th/7th inning RP	Triple-A OKC/Los Angeles	2019

Strengths

• Sustained mid-90s velocity on fastball
• Limits home runs
• Good command/control

Weaknesses

• Older for prospect
• Curveball lagging behind slider
• Middle reliever ceiling

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	55	55
Slider	45	45
Slider	50	50
Command/Control	50	50
Delivery	50	50
FV/Risk	40	Low

34. OF Cody Thomas

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’4	210	24	Power	13th round, ’16	4th OF	Triple-A OKC	2021

Strengths

• Plus-raw power from left side, can get to it at times in-game
• Very athletic
• Good defender in corners; can play CF in a pinch

Weaknesses

• Lots of swing-and-miss
• Getting old to still be “raw” as a prospect
• Plate discipline lacking

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	40	45
Power	50	55
SPeed	50	50
Defense	50	50
Arm	50	50
FV/Risk	45	High

33. LHP John Rooney

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’5	213	23	Slider	3rd round, ’18	No. 4/5 SP, swingman	High-A RC/Double-A Tulsa	2022

Strengths

• Best pitch is slider
• Good frame to be innings-eater
• Above-average command/control

Weaknesses

• Fastball velocity barely average
• No true out pitch
• No projection left

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	45	50
Slider	50	55
Changeup	40	50
Command/Control	45	50
Delivery	50	50
FV/Risk	45	High

32. OF/1B Luke Raley

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’4	235	25	Power	7th round, ’16; trade w/ MIN	4th OF/LH PH	Triple-A OKC/Los Angeles	2020

Strengths

• Left-handed power improved since being traded
• Premium exit velo numbers; hits lefties well
• Strong arm

Weaknesses

• Plate discipline lacking
• Missed time with torn ankle ligament in ’19
• Not much defensive value

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	45	50
Power	50	55
Speed	40	40
Defense	45	45
Arm	55	55
FV/Risk	45	Medium

31. RHP Jimmy Lewis

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2020 Location	ETA
6’6	200	19	Curveball	2nd round, 2019	No. 3/4 SP	AZL Dodgers	2024

Strengths

• Projectable, athletic frame
• Potentially plus-fastball (already low-90s, up to 95 MPH)
• Power high-70s curveball

Weaknesses

• Had slight labrum tear after signing
• Inconsistent changeup
• Yet to debut

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	40	55
Curveball	40	60
Changeup	30	45
Command/Control	35	50
Delivery	40	50
FV/Risk	55	Extreme

——

Next Up: Prospects 30-21