Dodgers Prospect Notes: Rushing returns from IL, Karros shoves, Kopp & Rosario cruise again, more

Josh Thomas 06/29/2023 Prospect Notes Leave A Comment

Dalton Rushing (Photo: Cody Bashore)

June 28th, 2023 Scoreboard

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The second half of the minor league season kicked off on Wednesday for the Dodger affiliates, and Dalton Rushing got his going in style, as he put Great Lakes up for good with a solo shot in the 4th:

This was Rushing’s first homer since returning from the IL due to concussion protocol after taking a barrel on a backswing rather solidly to his catcher’s helmet.

The 40th overall pick in the 2022 is destroying lefties this season, slashing a ridiculous .424/.608/.818 vs them, with 7 of his 14 hits against southpaws going for extra bases, and more walks (11) than strikeouts (9).

Incidentally, in Rushing’s three games since returning from the IL, he has not donned the tools of ignorance; he has only played first base and DHed. This happened only one previous time since joining the organization, and that was a rather understandable circumstance, as he was promoted very late in the season in 2022 to Great Lakes for three games as they were in the midst of a playoff push. He wasn’t about to show up and catch a pitching staff that is unfamiliar to him, it was just an opportunity for more ABs, so that situation was of little concern.

This latest usage, however, may bear a little watching, as concussions are no joke, the Dodgers are always keen on load management, and the dog days of Summer are just around the bend.

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Jared Karros picked up his second W of the season after putting together a dominant performance for Rancho Cucamonga, as he faced one batter over the minimum in his 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just an infield single and striking out 3. For the season, the Manhattan Beach native has an ERA of 2.57, with 47 Ks and just 11 BBs in 42.0 IP.

Though Karros is not an especially hard thrower just yet, what with just a bit of room to add muscle to his 6’7, 195 lbs frame, he has solid command of a plus overall repertoire, and it all comes out of a higher release point. Here’s a look at what the former UCLA Bruin brings to the table, four each of the fastball, curve, slider, and changeup:

It is still anyone’s guess as to how much of a workload the Dodgers will give the lanky righty over the course of the season, but if a spot were to open up in Great Lakes’ rotation in the second half, it is easy to imagine that the 2022 16th rounder is on the short list for Midwest League consideration.

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On Wednesday, for a third consecutive time, Great Lakes was carried by the dynamic piggybacking duo of Ronan Kopp and Jerming Rosario to a victory, as they combined to toss 6.0 scoreless for the Loons:

Born just eight and a half weeks apart, the pair of hard-throwing pitchers with fantastic sliders also share similar difficulties with command at times, but when it all clicks they both look like Top 100 prospects.

This is what a player acquisition and development system is supposed to look like — scouts find quality clay, hand it to a top-drawer dev people, and let the coaches cook, with polish coming as the players ascend through the system. By no means are the pair of hurlers finished products, and they’ll lay eggs now and then, but of late they are harnessing their stuff and trending in the right direction.

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A pair of top IFAs hit their first homers of the season on Tuesday.

First up, Santo Domingo, DR native, Samuel Munoz:

The 18-year-old puts together quality ABs, is 5/5 in stolen bases, and he is tied for the Arizona Complex League lead in triples with 3. Though Munoz was originally signed as a first baseman, he has spent the entire complex season in the outfield, with 9/16 games spent in center.

Secondly, Joendry Vargas:

Vargas, who also hails from Santo Domingo, is living up to his top prospect billing, as he too is grinding out ABs and showing pitch recognition well beyond his years. Additionally, despite being 6’4, he is showing the range and quickness that may lead to him staying at short long-term:

The Tulsa rotation may be getting all the headlines, there’s on display at the lower levels of the system as well.

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Here’s Thursday’s start times for the minor-league clubs (all times Pacific), along with the Dodger affiliate’s starting pitcher:

Note: I am no longer going to list starters for the ACL/DSL squads, it is always going to be TBD.

  • Oklahoma City at Sugar Land – 5:05 PM, Justin Hagenman
  • Tulsa at Amarillo – 5:05 PM, Nick Frasso
  • Great Lakes vs Lansing – 4:05 PM, Maddux Bruns
  • Rancho Cucamongs vs Visalia – 6:30 PM, TBD
  • ACL Dodgers at ACL Rockies – 6:00 PM
  • DSL Dodgers Bautista at DSL Braves – 8:00 AM
  • DSL Dodgers Mega vs DSL Brewers – 8:00 AM

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Enjoy your Thursday, folks.

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