2021 Dodgers Top 50 Prospects: 50-41

This is the first official entry when it comes to ranking prospects this year. I’ve decided to do a Top 50, as a Top 100 after no minor-league season and very little other information, seemed like an unwise decision.

——

Previous Entries

• Introduction
• Departed Dodgers

——

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 (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).

——

50. RHP Guillermo Zuniga

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’5	230	22	Fastball	IFA: Colombia, ’17	Middle Reliever	High-A Great Lakes/Double-A Tulsa	2022

Strengths

• Potential plus-fastball in relief
• Strong frame
• Slider can miss bats

Weaknesses

• Command/control haven’t developed
• Difficult to properly train in 2020
• Lacking consistent third pitch

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

49. CF Jose Ramos

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
5’11	160	20	Defense	IFA: Panama, ’18	4th OF	AZL Dodgers	2025

Strengths

• Double-plus defender and arm in center field
• Plus-runner
• Some contact ability

Weaknesses

• Lacking power
• Offense still a question
• Little older for level of competiton

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	25	45
Power	20	40
Speed	60	60
Defense	60	70
Arm	60	70
FV/Risk	35	Extreme

48. LHP Octavio Becerra

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’3	209	20	Changeup	IFA: Mexico, ’19	No. 4/5 SP	AZL Dodgers	2024

Strengths

• Changeup is best pitch
• Starter’s frame
• Solid velocity (90-93 MPH)

Weaknesses

• Breaking balls need work (but have potential)
• Untested stateside
• Lost development time

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

47. 2B Jorbit Vivas

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
5’10	145	20	Hit	IFA: Venezuela, ’17	Utility IF	Low-A Rancho Cucamonga	2023

Strengths

• Good bat-to-ball skills
• Advanced strike zone knowledge/judgment
• Natural lift in swing

Weaknesses

• Might be 2B-only on defense
• Limited power potential
• Slight frame

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	35	55
Power	25	40
Speed	50	50
Defense	40	50
Arm	40	50
FV/Risk	40	Extreme

46. C Carson Taylor

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’2	215	21	Hit	4th round, ’20	Backup catcher	Low-A Rancho	2023

Strengths

• Good pitch framing
• Sneaky raw power
• Competent from both sides of plate

Weaknesses

• Questions about long-term ability to stick behind the plate
• Might have to move to first base
• More emphasis on bat if he has to move

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

45. RHP Jose Martinez

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’0	200	22	Changeup	IFA: Venezuela, ’17	Back-end SP/Multi-inning RP	Double-A Tulsa	2023

Strengths

• Sinker is promising
• Changeup misses bats
• Solid command/control

Weaknesses

• Slider is fringy
• Not ideal size
• Might be a reliever

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

44. RHP Carlos Duran

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’7	250	19	Fastball	IFA: Dominican, ’17	Back-end SP/Multi-inning RP	Low-A Rancho	2022

Strengths

• Heavy, sinking fastball
• Flashes plus-curveball
• Substantial frame

Weaknesses

• Command/control took a step back
• Inconsistent delivery
• Struggles to miss bats at times

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

43. C Hunter Feduccia

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’2	215	23	Defense	12th round, ’18	Backup catcher	Double-A Tulsa	2023

Strengths

• Receiving/framing improved
• Good plate discipline
• Makes a lot of contact

Weaknesses

• Lacking premium power
• Low ceiling
• Arm strength lacking

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

42. RHP Josh Sborz

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’3	218	27	Fastball	CB Round B, ’15	6th/7th inning	Triple-A OKC/LA	Debuted 2019

Strengths

• Solid fastball
• Slider can get whiffs
• Keeps ball in yard

Weaknesses

• Low ceiling
• Command/control inconsistent
• Prospect fatigue

Tool	Present	Future
Fastball	60	60
Slider	55	55
Command/Control	45	45
Delivery	45	45
FV/Risk	35	Low

41. OF DJ Peters

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2021 Location	ETA
6’6	225	25	Power	4th round, ’16	4th OF	Triple-A OKC/LA	2021

Strengths

• Massive power
• Athletic for size
• Plus-arm

Weaknesses

• Big strikeout numbers
• Questions about making consistent contact
• Ceiling limited

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	40	40
Power	60	60
Speed	55	50
Defense	50	50
Arm	60	60
FV/Risk	40	High

——

Next Up: Prospects 40-31